Commencement 2012

Rehearsal

Commencement rehearsal will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 18, in the Dewar Arena of the Alumni Field House. At that time, you will be directed to an assigned seating area. Participants also will receive instructions for the recessional to the divisional ceremony location, where rehearsal for the individual recognition ceremonies will take place.

It is extremely important for all graduates to participate in these Commencement Rehearsals.

Live Stream of Commencement Ceremonies

A live webcast will be available online during each ceremony.

Commencement Ceremony (Dewar Arena of the Alumni Field House)

The college will hold two commencement ceremonies, one after the other, in the Dewar Arena at the Alumni Field House. The first ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The second ceremony will begin at noon. The two ceremonies will be identical. Divisional ceremonies will follow each. A student's major will determine which ceremony to attend.

Divisional Ceremonies

After both the 10 a.m. and noon commencement ceremonies, students and guests will go to their respective divisional ceremonies, where degree candidates will receive individual recognition. A student's major determines where to go for the divisional ceremony.

Caps and Gowns

It is the responsibility of each student to procure a cap and gown. Proper academic regalia is required to participate in commencement.

Undergraduates (BS, BA)
Pre-order your cap and gown online today at http://college.jostens.com/jostens/?affiliateId=1053419. The deadline for ordering is April 5, 2012.  After this date the purchase of a cap and gown are on a first come, first serve basis at the Red Dragon Bookstore beginning on Monday, May 7. Sizes are limited.  Your package will include a cap, gown, tassel, collar (for women), diploma cover, and five announcements for $49.50 plus tax.  You may pick up your regalia at the Red Dragon Bookstore beginning, Monday, May 7, 2012.  Payment is due when you pick up your cap and gown at the Red Dragon Bookstore. 

Graduates (MS, MSED, MST, MA, CAS)
Pre-order your cap and gown online today at http://college.jostens.com/jostens/?affiliateId=1053419. The deadline for ordering is Thursday, March 15, 2012.  After this date call the bookstore, (607) 436-3330, to place your order.  There will be an additional shipping charge for late orders.  Your package will include a cap, gown, tassel and hood for $74.50 plus tax.  You may pick up your regalia at the Red Dragon Bookstore beginning Monday, May 7, 2012.  Payment is due when you pick up your cap and gown at the Red Dragon Bookstore.

Undergraduates and Graduates:
If you need your cap and gown shipped to you, please contact the Red Dragon Bookstore at (607) 436-3330 to make arrangements.  There is an additional fee for shipping. 

Faculty
Faculty who wish to purchase regalia should come to the Red Dragon Bookstore to place your order by March 5, 2012.  If you would like to rent regalia, the ordering deadline is March 15, 2012.  Orders placed after March 15, 2012 will incur a 25% surcharge for shipping.  Payment is due when the order is placed

Guest Tickets

All candidates must notify the Registrar’s Office of their intent to participate in the graduation ceremony by April 4.

Commencement Ceremony
Four guest tickets will be issued to all eligible May 2012 and August 2012 degree candidates who have filed a diploma application. Four tickets also will be issued to August 2011 and December 2011 degree recipients. These tickets permit entry only to the commencement ceremony in the Dewar Arena of the Alumni Field House. Students who have not submitted a diploma application will not be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremonies. Non-ticketholders will be able to view the commencement ceremonies via closed circuit television in Rooms 1-2 and 4-9 of the Instructional Resources Center and on Channel 74 of the campus broadcast system.

Divisional Ceremonies
Four guest tickets will be issued to divisional ceremony participants. These tickets differ from commencement ceremony tickets and will permit entry only to the divisional ceremony associated with the participant's major.

Eligible students may pick up commencement tickets at the Registrar’s Office on May 15 and 16 from 12-4 p.m. and on May 17 and 18 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Students must present a picture ID to pick up tickets.

Students on internships, doing student teaching, or on leaves of absence may send someone with a letter authorizing that person to pick up tickets for them. The authorized person must present a picture ID.

Tickets will be mailed to August and December 2010 graduates who return the commencement participation notification card. Due to seating limitations, extra tickets are not available for any of the ceremonies.

Refreshments

Light refreshments will be served in the main campus quad before both ceremonies, compliments of Oneonta Auxiliary Services. Refreshments will also be served immediately following each divisional ceremony. Refreshments will be on sale at Starbucks in the Hunt College Union from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Parking, Traffic, and Shuttle Vans (see campus map below)

The best route for entry to the campus for the 10 a.m. and the noon ceremonies will be via the Service Building entrance on West Street. Most campus parking lots will be available for visitor parking. University Police officers will offer information at various street locations. Shuttle vans will be available beginning at 9 a.m. to transport visitors to and from the outlying parking areas.

Guests with Special Needs

To make arrangements for guests needing special accommodations for parking, seating, etc., call Barbara Brent at (607) 436-2491 prior to May 11. Special parking permits will be issued through May 11. Special ceremony seating will be available to ticketholders with disabilities. Closed-captioning of the ceremonies will be available for the hearing-impaired.

Photographs

A professional photography firm will offer special portrait packages of each graduate, taken at the divisional ceremony. The firm will contact the graduates' families by mail after the ceremony. Guests are requested to refrain from taking photos or videos at locations that might disrupt the progress of any of the ceremonies.

Alcohol and Smoking

The use of alcohol and smoking are prohibited at all commencement activities and ceremonies.

Last Modified on 2/15/12