Full Notification

Sonoma State University 2016 commencement ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 0900 and 1500 hours.

SSU expects each ceremony will draw about 12,000 people to campus, and they expect traffic delays beginning around 1130 and 1730 hours with heavy traffic congestion lasting for about 30 minutes on the following roadways:

• East Cotati Avenue from Petaluma Hill Road to Highway 101

• Rohnert Park Expressway from Petaluma Hill Road to Highway 101

• Petaluma Hill Road from Adobe Road to Snyder Lane

The commencement keynote speaker this year is Mr. Dan Nevins, an Iraqi War Veteran, alumnus of the Wounded Warrior Project, and motivational speaker.

SSU advises that there is no civil discourse expected at the event related to this speaker, however attendance could increase because of his notoriety, further impacting traffic conditions around the campus.

SSU will continue their past practice of converting Rohnert Park Expressway to a one-way thoroughfare beginning at the North campus exit (Redwood Circle) to Jasmine Drive. Rohnert Park Expressway, East of Redwood Circle to Petaluma Hill Road, will continue to serve two-way traffic. SSU officers will place barricades and provide traffic direction during these brief times of traffic egress following each ceremony.

Rohnert Park DPS will monitor traffic conditions within the City of Rohnert Park during commencement ceremonies, but any other commencement-specific questions or concerns should be directed to SSU Police and Parking Services at 707-664-4444.