Frequently Asked Questions
The Commencement Committee has created a Frequently Asked Questions resource to keep students, faculty, staff and families informed about the details, and that FAQ will be updated regularly with new information as the ceremonies approach.
All ceremonies will be held in the Athletic & Wellness Center (AWC) on campus. Please use this link for a campus map for directions to the AWC.
There will be five Commencement ceremonies honoring this year’s graduates:
- Friday, May 17, 6 p.m.: Graduate Commencement Ceremony
- Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m.: Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony 1 – College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (Doors to open at 8 a.m. Priority seating begins at 7:30 a.m.)
- Saturday, May 18, 1 p.m.: Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony 2 – College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (Doors to open at Noon. Priority seating begins at 11:30 a.m.)
- Sunday, May 19, 9 a.m.: Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony 3 – Schools of Business, Education, Fine & Performing Arts, Science & Engineering (Doors to open at 8 a.m. Priority seating begins at 7:30 a.m.))
- Sunday, May 19, 1 p.m.: Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony 4 – (Doors to open at Noon. Priority seating begins at 11:30 a.m.))
The Commencement Committee made the decision, with input from students, faculty and staff, to move our undergraduate ceremonies from the Old Main Quad to the Athletic & Wellness Center this year.
The AWC has a lower maximum capacity. For that reason, we are dividing each of the Saturday and Sunday ceremonies in two, to ensure that all our graduates have the opportunity to celebrate with their ticketed guests. Additional invited guests may watch the livestream in Lecture Center 100 and 102.
Yes! While we are making adjustments to the venue and other aspects of the program, all students who are graduating at this year’s ceremonies will have the same opportunity to walk across the stage and receive their degree in front of their ticketed guests.
This appears to be TBD as of May 11 meeting. We will answer it here in the FAQ. And make it prominent on the Commencement Webpage.
No. The Athletic & Wellness Center, our largest capacity venue on campus, can only accommodate the graduates, their four ticketed guests and those working the event.
Additional invited guests may watch the livestream in Lecture Center 100 and 102.
This appears to be TBD as of May 11 meeting. I doubt we are going to be able to accommodate such changes, given space limitations in AWC.
This appears to be TBD as of May 11 meeting. Need input from Lisa Sandick. She has not broached this with marshals or faculty until decisions were made.
Yes. The First World Graduation Ceremony will take place at a new time of 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. That event will take place in Studley Theatre as originally planned.
The Honors Program Graduation Ceremony will take place at a new time of 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 19. That event will take place in Studley Theatre as originally planned.
There will also be program and school-related receptions where graduates and their families can celebrate with faculty and fellow graduates. Those receptions will be at the following days, times and locations:
- Educational Opportunity Program: 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024 (location TBD)
- College of Liberal Arts & Sciences: 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, in Science Hall Lobby
- School of Business: 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 19, in Lecture Center North and South Lobbies
- School of Education: 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 19, in Wooster Hall
- School of Fine & Performing Arts: 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 19 at the McKenna Theatre Patio
- School of Science & Engineering: 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 19, in Science Hall Lobby
This appears to be TBD as of May 11 meeting. Yes, there will be a main speaker and a student speaker at each ceremony.
Similar to other official University events, Commencement ceremonies are expected to run without interruption to celebrate our students as a whole and so that each and every graduate can be recognized individually for their achievements. This approach is consistent with SUNY’s Rules for the Maintenance of Public Order.
Should any attendee wish to exercise free expression activities, the University will provide an established zone for doing so outside the Athletic & Wellness Center, within proximity of the ceremonies, as is appropriate under policies that allow the University to regulate the time, place and manner of such activities to preserve core institutional functions.
Anyone inside the Athletics & Wellness Center who to exercise free expression activities during the ceremonies will be directed toward the established area.
