Affinity ceremonies, which celebrate graduates in underrepresented communities, at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) have been involved in graduations since the very first graduating class walked the stage in 1996.
“Chicane/Latine students organized the first ceremony during the first CSUMB graduation,” said Rudy Medina, director of the Otter Cross Cultural Center (OC3).
“The Black/African Heritage Ceremony started during the second graduating class. From there, other student groups began organizing ceremonies that were identity-based,” Medina said. While these ceremonies are important to students, Medina states they are labor intensive.
“Many of the [student organizers] were graduating themselves. Students build these communities from the ground up.”
“In an effort to support students who were having to go above and beyond to create a space for themselves, CSUMB began collaborating with students on these ceremonies,” said Medina. In 2017 the OC3 took over much of the logistics of these ceremonies and supported the now nine affinity ceremonies taking place on campus. These nine ceremonies are:
- Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA)- May 11, 2024
- Black/African Heritage- May 14, 2024
- Latiné- May 4, 2024
- Family Friendly (students with children)- May 12, 2024
- Native American- May 11, 2024
- Students with Disabilities (SADE)- May 10, 2024
- Rainbow (LGBTQ+)- May 3, 2024
- Undocu-Otters (undocumented students)- May 5, 2024
- Veterans (U.S. Armed Forces)- May 9, 2024
According to Medina, “When you look at higher education from a historical perspective, the identities reflected in the ceremonies have historically lacked access to higher education. Once in higher education, students often did not see their identities reflected in the curriculum, on campus, and at commencement.”
Such ceremonies have since become a staple on many college campuses across the US. “They are meant to celebrate the cultural intersections in students’ lives and to honor their communities.”
During each of the ceremonies, students can expect features that reflect their identities. This is anything from the music, the language the ceremony is hosted in, the featured speakers, entertainment and food.
However, these ceremonies are separate from commencement. If students wish to participate in these ceremonies they are open to anyone “including graduate students and students earning credentials,” Medina said.
He continued, “affinity ceremonies are a sign of inclusion and everyone is welcome to attend and participate in.”
