Members of the Class of 2023 will have a new spot on campus to take graduation photos: the 6-foot-high CPP letters at the Park at 98.

The green letters accented with gold trim are scheduled to be installed before Commencement ceremonies begin on Monday, May 22. The letters, which will help mark the main entryway into the campus, will be placed adjacent to a pathway between the park and the Student Services Building.

The park also features two overlooks: One vantage point at the top of the site offers a panoramic slice of the campus and sunset views while the other overlook peers down into the Aratani Japanese Garden. Both locations offer picturesque settings for graduation portraits.

The Park at 98 sits on the site of the demolished CLA Tower and offers an 8,600-square-foot gathering place for the campus community, along with other photo opportunities in the multi-leveled terraces and green space.

In addition, there are other locations on campus to capture the perfect graduation photo:

• The Aratani Japanese Garden, especially the lower bridge, provides a backdrop of lush greenery.
• For the W.K. Kellogg Rose Garden, the best times for photography are early mornings or late afternoons. On clear days, avoid midday because the bright sunlight poses a challenge.
• The University Plaza (old stables) is one of the longest-standing buildings on campus. The arches, courtyard and fountain provide a classic CPP backdrop.
• The breezeway in the Student Services Building is a prime staging point for photos, especially with University Plaza (old stables) in the background.
• The bronco statue next to Bronco Commons and the Residential Suites.
• For a panoramic view of the campus and surrounding areas, adventurous photographers should walk up Mansion Lane. The incline isn't too steep, and the payoff is a stunning overview.

These and other spaces for graduation photos can be found on the interactive campus map.

Celebrate Using Biodegradable Confetti

If family and friends want to help graduates celebrate the occasion, they are urged to use confetti made of biodegradable paper that decomposes and won't pollute the environment.

Mylar, glitter or plastic confetti is highly discouraged because the synthetic materials do not decompose and become litter. These types of confetti also pose a threat to wildlife such as birds that could mistake the colorful plastic bits for food.

The plastic confetti also can get washed away and pollute the ocean. Fish and other animals could then consume the bits of plastic and contaminate the food chain.

Commencement ceremonies will be held on May 22-24, and crews from Custodial and Recycling Services and Landscape Services will have their hands full keeping The Quad looking pristine for the thousands of graduates and their guests. Using biodegradable confetti will help lighten the load on campus crews.

Commencement Information

The interactive campus map is the main source of wayfinding for campus buildings and offices. Now, the upgraded map offers a new use for graduates and their families and friends: Commencement information.

In addition to directions to the ceremony site, The Quad, the interactive map also has links to:

• Graduate information
• Directions and entrances to the venue
• Parking lots
• Rideshare pick-up and drop-off areas
• Road and walkway closures
• Restrooms and gender-inclusive restrooms
• Electric vehicle charging locations
• Hydration stations

Visit the commencement website to find the schedule and information for graduates, guests and visitors. Read more stories about the class of 2023.