Commencement 2009

Rehearsal

Graduation Rehearsal will begin promptly at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 15, in the Dewar Arena of the Alumni Field House. At that time, you will be directed to an assigned seating area. You will also be given 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 at two different times this year to accommodate the maximum number of guests.  At 10 a.m., the first ceremony will be held for students majoring in Communication Arts, Economics and Business,  Languages, and Science and Social Science.  At noon, the second ceremony will be held for students majoring in Education, Fine Arts, Human Ecology, Psychology, and Sociology.  Both Commencement Ceremonies will be identical, and both will be followed by Divisional Ceremonies.  

10 a.m. Commencement Ceremony Schedule:

• 9:30--Assembly of Graduates: Be seated in the Dewar Arena of the Alumni Field House

• 10:00--Commencement Ceremony

• Immediately Following Commencement--Proceed to Divisional Ceremony
  

10 a.m. Commencement--Divisional Ceremonies

After the Commencement Ceremony, students and guests will proceed to their respective Divisional Ceremony, where degree candidates will receive individual recognition.

Communication Arts: 
Hunt Union Ballroom
Communication Studies, Mass Communication

Science and Social Science: 
Chase Gymnasium
Africana and Latino Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Geology, History, History Museum Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, International Studies, Mathematics, Meteorology, Philosophy, Physics and Astronomy, Political Science, Statistics, Water Resources

Economics and Business: 
Goodrich Theatre, Fine Arts Building
Accounting, Business Economics, Economics

Languages:
Hunt Union Waterfront Cafe
English, French, Spanish

Noon Commencement Ceremony Schedule:

• 11:30--Assembly of Graduates: Be seated in the Dewar Arena of the Alumni Field House

• 12:00--Commencement Ceremony

• Immediately Following Commencement--Proceed to Divisional Ceremony
  

Noon Commencement--Divisional Ceremonies

After the Commencement Ceremony, students and guests will proceed to their respective Divisional Ceremony, where degree candidates will receive individual recognition.

Human Ecology and Sociology:
Hunt Union Ballroom
Child and Family Studies, Criminal Justice, Dietetics, Food Service and Restaurant Administration, Gerontology Studies, Human Ecology, Sociology 

Fine Arts: 
Chase Gymnasium
Art, Art History, Computer Art, Music, Music Industry, Theatre

Psychology:
Goodrich Theatre, Fine Arts Building 
Psychology

Education: 
Dewar Arena, Alumni Field House
Adolescence Education, Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education, Family and Consumer Science Education, Literacy, School Counselor

Caps and Gowns

It is the responsibility of each student to arrange for purchase and delivery of caps and gowns. Proper academic regalia is required to participate in Commencement. 

Undergraduates (BS, BA)
Pre-sized costume packets cost $42.66 (includes tax). The packet includes cap, gown, tassel, collar (for women), five announcements, and diploma cover. Regalia may be picked up at The Red Dragon Bookstore, Hunt Union, starting April 14 until graduation day. Payment is due on receipt; no orders are necessary.

Mail Orders
Undergraduates not able to pick up regalia should contact The Red Dragon Bookstore in writing, listing height, weight, and gender, by April 8, 2009. Indicate name, address, and phone number. Include a check for $53.41 (includes tax and shipping) made payable to The Red Dragon Bookstore. All undergraduate mail orders will be shipped directly to your address by UPS.

Written orders should be mailed to:
The Red Dragon Bookstore
Graduation Regalia--Undergraduate
108 Ravine Parkway
Hunt College Union, College at Oneonta
Oneonta, NY 13820
Telephone: (607) 436-3330
Fax: (607) 436-2069

Graduates (MS, MSED, MA, CAS)
Master's degree candidates must order before April 8, 2009. Send height, weight, gender, and type of graduate degree along with a check for $69.61 (includes tax and shipping) made payable to The Red Dragon Bookstore. After April 9, 2009, orders placed will incur a 25% surcharge for quick shipment.  All graduate mail orders will be shipped directly to your address by UPS.

Written orders should be mailed to:
The Red Dragon Bookstore
Graduation Regalia--Graduate
108 Ravine Parkway
Hunt College Union, College at Oneonta
Oneonta, NY 13820

Faculty
Faculty who wish to purchase regalia should come to The Red Dragon Bookstore on March 9, 10, or 11, 2009, when a sales representative will be present.  The deadline for faculty regalia rental orders from The Red Dragon Bookstore is April 8, 2009, to receive standard shipping.  Orders placed after April 9, 2009, will incur a 25% surcharge for shipping.  No orders will be taken after May 14, 2008.  Payment is due at the time of the order.  Faculty must go to The Red Dragon Bookstore and be measured there to assure correct measurements.

Guest Tickets

• Commencement Ceremony: Four (4) guest tickets will be issued to all eligible May 2009 and August 2009 degree candidates who have filed a diploma application.  Four (4) tickets will also be issued to August 2008 and December 2008 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.  Additional viewing of the Commencement Ceremony for non-ticketholders will be available through a closed-circuit broadcast in Rooms 1-5 of the Instructional Resources Center and on Channel 74 of the campus broadcast system.

• Divisional Ceremonies: Four (4) guest tickets will be issued to participants for the Divisional Ceremonies.  These tickets are different than the Commencement Ceremony tickets and will permit entry only to the Divisional Ceremony associated with the participant's major.  

• Commencement tickets will be available at the Registrar's Office during these times: May 12-13, noon - 4 p.m., and May 14-15, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Students must present a picture ID to pick up tickets.

• Students on internships, student teaching, or on leave of absence must pick up their tickets at the above times, or 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 2008 graduates who return the Commencement participation notification card.

• Due to seating limitations, extra tickets are not available for any of the ceremonies.
  
  All candidates must return the Commencement participation notification card by March 27, 2009.

  
  

Campus Lodging

A limited number of dorm-style guest rooms at moderate rates are available at

Parking and Seating for Persons with Disabilities

Persons with disabilities requiring parking or seating are asked to notify Barbara Brent at (607) 436-2491 by Friday, May 1, 2009. Prior notification is necessary to ensure that all accommodations are made.

Parking is available at various locations around campus, as illustrated on the map below. University Police Officers will be in key locations to direct motorists to open parking areas. Parking in close proximity to the Alumni Field House is limited. It is suggested that guests arrive early.

Shuttle vans will be available beginning at 9 a.m. to transport guests to and from the outlying parking areas.

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

Last Modified on 5/06/09