To: All Graduating Students, Families, and Friends
From: Caltech Commencement
Date:June 3, 2022
Re:Commencement Health and Safety Protocols
We look forward to gathering on Beckman Mall on Friday, June 10, at 10 a.m., to celebrate our newest graduates at Caltech's 128th Commencement exercise. This gathering of the campus community, with the families and friends of our graduating students, is an extraordinarily meaningful and important event, and one that we all value deeply.
In light of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, the following protocols have been implemented to support the health and well-being of all involved in commemorating the accomplishments of graduating students in the week ahead:
- All graduating students who intend to participate in the June 10 commencement ceremony must submit a surveillance testing sample on Wednesday, June 8 before 1 p.m. Graduating students who do not comply with this requirement will not be allowed to walk in the ceremony. Employees who support or participate the day-of activities also are encouraged to participate in the surveillance testing program.
- Any graduating student who tests positive, is under an existing isolation order, or is otherwise feeling ill will not be permitted to participate in or attend the June 10 ceremony. We understand the disappointment of students who may be unable to attend the June 10 ceremony as a result of illness. They will be invited back to campus to participate in an alternative celebration at a later date.
- Event attendees, including graduating students, will be required to wear a mask throughout the ceremony. Graduating students will be permitted to remove their mask just before crossing the stage to receive their diploma but must replace their mask once they have returned to their seat.
- Event Guest Vaccination Requirement: Consistent with the Institute's vaccination policy for students and campus employees, all individuals attending Caltech's commencement events on June 9 and June 10 must be able to provide proof of their fully vaccinated and boosted status. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated or who are eligible for a booster and have not received one must have proof of a negative viral test result from within 72 hours prior to the event. Acceptable viral tests include a PCR test or a proctored antigen test.
Vaccination documentation will be checked at each event. Once an event attendee has verified their vaccination or testing status at a commencement-related event, they will be issued a wristband that can be worn to speed entry to all commencement-related events. Individuals wearing their wristband will not be asked to present their documentation again. - Events Relocated Outdoors: The Institute's pre-commencement ceremony celebrations, including the Senior Banquet and Graduate Student Luncheon on Thursday, June 9, have been moved outdoors at the Athenaeum. In these social settings, particularly where food and drink are served, we ask all attendees to help prevent the spread of infection by taking care with physical distancing, and by masking at all times when not eating or drinking.
Additional day-of commencement ceremony details will be emailed to graduating students on Monday, June 6, including information on when and where to line up on Commencement Day. This health and safety information is being shared now in order to provide all graduating students and participants time to plan in advance for the students' June 8 surveillance testing requirement and the other day-of health and safety measures.