2026 Department Diploma Ceremony: Statistics, Data Science, and Mathematical & Computational Science

Sunday, June 14th, 2026

Statistics, Data Science, Math and Comp Sci and Data Science majors cordially invite graduates and their families to the department's diploma ceremony in Sequoia Hall Grove immediately following the university's main ceremony held at Stanford Stadium.

Location

The diploma ceremony and reception site will be located in the Sequoia Grove on Jane Stanford Way in front of Sequoia Hall. Our site is composed of leaves, twigs and mulch. We strongly recommend that you choose your footwear accordingly!

Time

Students with their families and guests should make their way to Sequoia Hall by 11:30am.

  • Reception will start at 11:45am.
  • Ceremony will start by 12:45pm.
  • The ceremony will last until approximately 2:30pm.

Accessibility and Other Services

Stanford University is committed to ensuring its facilities, programs and services are accessible to everyone. There will be a marked section of chairs for guests with wheelchairs and their families to sit. Graduates can request this accessible seating through the RSVP (Google) form sent to them via email; PhD graduates should email the department's Student Services Manager directly. Graduates who have made their request should check in with the Student Services team upon arrival at the ceremony location.

The department does not have access to wheelchairs or golf carts, so these won't be provided at the ceremony and reception site. Guests are responsible for arranging their own transportation around campus.

Students request mobility and special accommodations for their guests via the graduating student ticket request form that students initiate. The Diversity & Access Office will work directly with students or their guests to coordinate accommodations. Submit requests by May 23, 2026.

Reception

Light refreshments will be provided at approximately 11:45am, prior to the start of the event. There will be signage designating the reception area. Guests are welcome to take their refreshments back to their seats.

We ask for everyone's cooperation with sorting compost and recyclables before leaving the ceremony site.

Photography

There will be no professional photography at the event but there is a small area on the exit side of the stage for photography. As a courtesy to all other graduates and guests, we ask that family members return to their seat once their graduate has crossed the stage to allow other guests the opportunity to take photos of their graduate in the same spot.

Restrooms

Portable toilets will be available throughout the campus, including on Lomita Mall adjacent to the ceremony site. Restrooms are available at these nearby locations:

Parking

We recommend leaving your car near the stadium and walking to the department ceremony at Sequoia Grove afterwards.

Parking for the main Commencement ceremony is available in the lots surrounding the stadium. Note that some lots require a permit. Parking for guests with state-issued or temporary disabled parking permits is available in the Varsity Lot. Shuttle service on campus and to/from Caltrain will be available.

Security

To provide a safer environment for the public and expedite entry into Stanford Stadium there is a strict policy regarding permitted items: your belongings must be carried in or fit into a permissible bag. Share this information with all guests to better plan for their visit.

Do not leave valuable items in your car.

Tickets

Graduating students will need to request tickets through the department before May 1st as seating is very limited and based on first come, first served arrangement. 

For Family & Friends

Visit commencement.stanford.edu for the complete university resource on visitor information featuring maps, lodging, dining options and more.

Seating

Guest seating is limited and based on first come, first served arrangement. The ceremony site and guest seating is partially shaded. Planning for anticipated weather is a best practice!

Resources

 

For Graduates

Regardless of whether you intend to participate in the diploma ceremony, all graduates must submit the survey.

  • Autumn, Winter quarter graduates submit by April 10th to inform us of your participation.
  • Spring quarter graduates submit by April 10th.
  • cgates [at] stanford.edu (Summer or Autumn 2026 walkthrough petitions)

Cap and Gown Rental

  • April 13: Cap and gown (regalia) online rental for ship to home begins. Shipping fees apply.
  • April 14-16: Grad Fair at Stanford Bookstore and in-person rental regalia order/pickup.
  • May 1: Deadline to order rental regalia to ship to home. Shipping fees apply.
  • Monday, June 1 – Sunday, June 14: Student rental regalia available for order and pick up.
    • If you miss the deadline, caps and gowns may be available in person at the bookstore in early June and on the day of Commencement.
    • Return rentals to the bookstore within two weeks following Commencement.
  • Jostens representatives will be on-site during Grad Fair to help.

Bachelor's attire: black robe with square cap and tassel (Stanford colors).

  • Bachelor Unit (cap/gown/tassel)  $29.00

Master's attire: Graduate robe with sleeve extension at the back of the wrist opening. Hood color is golden yellow (Science/Natural Sciences).

  • Master Unit rental (cap, gown, hood & tassel) $57 (approx.) 

Cap: Typically, the cap is worn with one corner facing forward, like a diamond, with a tassel attached in the center. Tassels are worn on the left side of the graduation cap before, during and after graduating. In addition, the cap should be basically perpendicular with your body, not angled too high on your head, as it may fall off.

Doctoral attire: Stanford doctoral robes are red and black with particolored sleeves lined with a color indicating the scholarly discipline of the wearer. This robe is worn with a specially designed hood and velvet academic bonnet. Hood color is golden yellow (Science/Natural Sciences).

  • Only the doctor's gown bears trimmings. These are a velvet facing down the front and three velvet bars across each sleeve; the velvet may be black, or it may be the color appropriate to the subject in which the wearer holds a degree. Make sure that the velvet facing of the hood -- the thin strip of color is the outside of the hood -- is visible under the chin and lies flat over the shoulders.

Cap: Tassels are worn on the left side of the graduation cap before, during and after graduating. In addition, the cap should be basically perpendicular with your body, not angled too high on your head, as it may fall off.

Graduate Seating

Students participating in the diploma ceremony will be seated in a section to the right of the stage. All graduates will be seated alphabetically by last name grouped by program/degree in the section. Upon arrival at Sequoia Grove, look for the Reserved for Graduates sign and locate your name within your designated major/program. If you cannot find a seat with your name on it, let your Student Services officer know immediately.

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