Commencement

2015 Commencement Ceremonies 

To the SUNY Cortland Community,

Four Ceremonies Planned for Commencement 2015

In light of SUNY Cortland’s continued success in educating historically high numbers of students, Commencement 2015 will be held in four separate, indoor ceremonies, including a Friday evening undergraduate event.  The unpredictable spring weather in CNY, coupled with prohibitive costs, prevents the College from hosting outdoor Commencement ceremonies.

 The schedule for Spring Commencement, during which the College is again expected to award a record, or near-record, number of degrees, is as follows:

• Undergraduate 1: Friday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m.

• Undergraduate 2: Saturday, May 16, at 9:30 a.m.

• Undergraduate 3: Saturday, May 16, at 2:30 p.m.

• Graduate: Saturday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m.

All Commencement ceremonies will be held in the Bessie L. Park Class of 1901 Physical Education and Recreation Center Alumni Arena.

The College is expanding the number of ceremonies due to the size of its graduating classes, which have grown in recent years.   SUNY Cortland’s strong retention and graduation rates are among the highest in the 64-campus SUNY system.

Postcards sharing a Commencement checklist will be sent out to students’ home addresses over December break.  Students will select their Commencement ceremony on a first-come, first-served basis on March 24, 2015.  Each student will receive four (4) guest tickets.

Additional details about Commencement 2015 will be released on the Commencement website and sent directly to eligible students’ Cortland email addresses.

If you have specific questions, please email: Special.EventsOffice@cortland.edu. 

Erik J. Bitterbaum

President

Undergraduate Commencement

Friday, May 15, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.* in the Park Center Alumni Arena

Saturday, May 16, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.* in the Park Center Alumni Arena

Graduate Commencement

Saturday, May 16, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. in the Park Center Alumni Arena

*Students will select their ceremony online on March 24, 2015.  You will receive an email with all the detailed information in December. 

In order to participate in Commencement you must purchase a diploma cover through our online ticketing process. You will only have access to this site if you have applied for graduation. Please have a credit card ready.

You will receive a detailed checklist outlining the steps to purchase your diploma cover and all items you must purchase in order to participate in Commencement over December break.  

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 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. 

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 Arena for Commencement ceremonies. The College appreciates your cooperation in making this a safe and memorable event.

Other Information

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

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.