Commencement

2014 Commencement Ceremonies 

Graduate Commencement
Friday, May 16, 2014, at 7 p.m. in the Park Center Alumni Arena

In order to participate in Commencement you must purchase a diploma cover through our online ticketing process.  The diploma cover is linked to your Student Line-Up Ticket (which you must bring with you the day of Commencement).  The diploma cover will be handed to you as you walk across the stage.  Please have a credit card ready.  On March 26 at 9 a.m. the link will go live and you will be able to do so.  You will only have access to this site if you have applied for graduation. As March 26^th gets closer, you will receive a detailed check list outlining the steps to purchase your diploma cover and all items you must purchase in order to participate in Commencement. 

Please note guest tickets are not required for admission into the Graduate Commencement ceremony.  You will only need to bring your Student Line-Up Ticket with you. 

Undergraduate Commencement
Saturday, May 17, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.* in the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex

Congratulations: You are a member of the largest commencement class in SUNY Cortland history.

To celebrate that distinction – a reflection of your hard work and the College’s strong retention rate – both of the May 17 undergraduate commencement ceremonies will be held outside in the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex.

Thank you, for helping us make history. And while we are breaking records, I should mention that the College is also anticipating record numbers of friends and family members cheering our 2014 graduates on.  That’s because we are doubling the number of guests that will be admitted with each ticket. This two-for-one opportunity means that, although all participating students were originally limited to four guest passes, you will now be able to bring eight guests. Family members, neighbors or childhood friends who were disappointed they couldn’t come will now be able to attend the ceremony you originally signed up for.

Since the two ceremonies will be outdoors, we will all be watching the weather forecasts as the day approaches so new graduates and their guests can dress appropriately. For guests who would find outdoor bleacher seating difficult, there will be an indoor option inside the Park Center Alumni Ice Arena where the ceremony will be shown live on a large video screen.

Most other aspects of commencement will remain unchanged. That includes the need for students to participate in the ceremony they have already selected. If you are signed up for the afternoon ceremony, that is still the ceremony you must attend. 

Additional information will be posted on this website, Monday, April 21.

The record number of students who will march at commencement illustrates both SUNY Cortland’s popularity and its growing retention and graduation rates – measurements of student success that reflect how many of a college’s students return after their first year and complete their degrees.  SUNY Cortland’s nearly 70 percent, six-year graduation rate is the highest of any comprehensive college in the 64-campus SUNY system.

College graduation is always an exciting time, and you should be proud of all that you have accomplished. Thank you for your dedication to your education, and I look forward to wishing you well as you enter the next ambitious phase of your life.

All the best,

Erik J. Bitterbaum

President, SUNY Cortland

*New in 2014! Students will select their ceremony online this year.  

On March 24 (timing TBD) the link will go live and you will be able to select your Commencement Ceremony.  Please note, as in the past, Ceremony selection (A at 9:30 a.m. or B at 2:30 p.m.) is on a first come, first served basis.  You will only have access to this site if you have applied for graduation. In order to participate in Commencement you must purchase a diploma cover through the online ticketing process.  The diploma cover is linked to your Student Line-Up Ticket (which you must bring with you the day of Commencement).  The diploma cover will be handed to you as you walk across the stage.  Please have a credit card ready. As March 24^th gets closer, you will receive a detailed check list outlining the steps to select your Commencement Ceremony and all items you must purchase in order to participate in Commencement. 

Dates for future ceremonies (2015-17) are available on the Future Ceremony Dates page.

Safety Inspections

SUNY Cortland cares about the safety of its new graduates and their families. As a precaution, backpacks and other items may be inspected before visitors enter the Alumni Ice Arena for Commencement ceremonies. The College appreciates your cooperation in making this a safe and memorable event.

Please note all Undergraduate Commencement tickets will be scanned at the door. The unique bar code on this ticket allows only one entry to the event. The first copy of an E-Ticket (if there are multiple copies made) to arrive at the event will gain entry after scanning and validation. Other copies of this ticket will be denied entry. You should handle this E-Ticket as you would any other valuable or cash.  Please be very cautious if someone offers to sell you this document--it has no official resale value and may be an unauthorized copy.