Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Parents and Friends at Commencement Ceremony Information

Ceremony Information

When and where are the ceremonies?

Commencement takes place on Saturday, May 16, in the Park Center Alumni Arena. Graduates have their choice of attending either the morning or afternoon ceremony:

Bachelor’s Degree Ceremony A: 9:30 a.m.
Bachelor’s Degree Ceremony B: 2:30 p.m.

The first opportunity for graduates to select the ceremony in which they'd like to participate and to obtain Commencement tickets is at Grad Finale™ from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. on April 7 in the Corey Union Function Room.
Following Grad Finale, Commencement tickets may be picked up at the College Store.

How long will the ceremony last?

The processions will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The length of the ceremony is approximately one hour and 45 minutes.

How will the degrees be conferred?

An hour before the Commencement ceremony, students will check in at the Park Center Corey Gymnasium. They will receive a three-inch x five-inch card with his or her first and last name. Students then choose a row to line up in and may line up with their friends. They will remain in this order as they proceed into the Park Center Alumni Arena.

As students reach the base of the platform, they will hand the card received at check-in to the person at the microphone, who will read the student's name. The readers are positioned at the center of the stage. Those with names that might be difficult to pronounce are asked to give the reader the correct pronunciation just before the name is read.

The students’ names and “special person” designations are read as they cross the stage. Students will receive a diploma cover from the dean of the school from which they are graduating, will shake his or her hand and then proceed toward the president to receive his congratulatory handshake. Students will then cross the stage, exit down the opposite ramp and return to student seating.

Will faculty be there?

Each department is encouraged to have as many faculty members participate as possible. In the past, approximately 50 percent have attended. Students can help by inviting their favorite faculty members to attend by completing the undergraduate faculty invitation form. Simply write the name of the faculty member in the designated space on the invitation and then deliver it to them in person or via campus mail.

Student Information

Who may participate?

The May ceremonies will honor students who complete their degree requirements in May, August and December 2009. Students who completed their degree requirements in December 2008 may also participate if they have disclosed their intent with the Registrar’s Office.

I missed the filing deadline to register for Commencement. What can I do about it?

Students who apply for their degree after March 31 may not have their name appear in the program. Students must apply for their degree online using myRedDragon, even if they miss the March 31 deadline.

I have registered for one ceremony, but I would like to switch to the other ceremony. What do I do?

Students may switch their tickets at the College Store. Simply return to the College Store with all guest tickets and the student line-up ticket. If all tickets are returned, the College Store will exchange them for tickets to the ceremony to which he or she would like to switch. Students please note that the student line-up ticket will be required in Corey Gymnasium. Please do not dispose of this ticket. This ticket will not grant access for a guest in Alumni Arena.

What should I wear with my cap and gown?

Commencement is a formal ceremony, so students are asked to dress accordingly. The general rule is light weight, non-restricting clothes. Men do not have to wear jackets, but should wear a shirt and tie. Students are requested not to wear shorts, overalls, sandals or sneakers. Mortarboard (cap) tassels should be worn on the left side throughout the ceremony. Once degrees are conferred, the president will ask all students to switch their tassels from the left to the right.

If I am not on campus this semester (student teaching, study abroad, internships, other circumstances), how do I obtain my cap, gown and tickets?

Students not on campus during the spring semester due to student teaching, study abroad, internships or other circumstances, may reserve a cap, gown and tickets by contacting the College Store and completing the Ticket, Cap and Gown Form. Students will need to provide their name, student I.D. number, size, height, contact information and indicate the ceremony in which they want to participate.

The College Store will not mail caps, gowns or tickets. Students must pick them up at the College Store prior to the Commencement ceremonies. Students unable to pick up their packages must send someone to the College Store with a letter authorizing that person to pick up materials. The person picking up the Commencement package must produce a photo ID before any materials are released. Students unable to designate someone to pick up the Commencement package prior to the ceremony should contact the College Store to place the order on hold. The College Store offers extended business hours the day of the ceremony to accommodate students who need to pick up their package. Please see the College Store hours listed below.

College Store Hours

Monday: 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Extended Hours

May 15: 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
May 16: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 753-4621
E-Mail: collegestore@cortland.edu
www.cortlandasc.com/collegestore/

Am I graduating with honors from SUNY Cortland?

Students grade point averages (GPA) calculated as of Feb. 1 determine the SUNY Cortland honors distinction.

Once the end-of-school GPA is determined after the ceremony, allowing for the incorporation of the Spring 2008 grades, the Honors distinction is then recorded and displayed on the official transcript and diploma.

A GPA between 3.2-3.499 will receive a white tassel and graduate cum laude.
A GPA between 3.5-3.749 will receive a red and white tassel and graduate magna cum laude.
A GPA of 3.75 and above will receive a red tassel and graduate summa cum laude.

It is not necessary to purchase the honors tassel. Staff from the Registrar’s Office distributes them at Commencement rehearsal and on Commencement day. If, as of Feb. 1, a student’s GPA did not qualify for the honors distinction as noted above, the student will wear the SUNY Cortland black tassel. However, if after the calculation of the end-of-school GPA (calculated after the ceremony) meets the honors GPA, the honors distinction is then recorded and displayed on the official transcript and diploma.

Various departments also have individual honors programs. The individual departments may distribute cords or tassels to be worn during Commencement as well. Students should inquire with their department chair or advisor to verify if there is an honors distinction specifically for their major/program.

What time should I be at the Park Center, Corey Gymnasium, on Commencement Day?

Graduates attending Ceremony A should report to Park Center Corey Gymnasium in gowns at 8:30 a.m. Those attending Ceremony B should report to Park Center Corey Gymnasium in gowns at 1:30 p.m.

Guest Information

When and where can guests be seated for the ceremonies?

Seating begins at 8:30 a.m. for the morning ceremony and 1:30 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony. Guests will have the option of sitting in the bleachers along the side of the arena or on the floor of the arena in chairs. All seating with the exception of disability seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please keep in mind that time is required to set up for the second ceremony immediately after the end of the first ceremony, thus the doors will not open any earlier than 1:30 p.m. for guests attending the 2:30 p.m. ceremony. Students should ask family members and guests to follow the directions of the ushers and university police officers at all times. This will ensure the smoothest parking and seating.

Will refreshments be available for guests?

Light refreshments, flowers for graduates and gift merchandise will be sold on the second floor of the Park Center outside Corey Gymnasium prior to each ceremony. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed at Commencement.

Most of the academic departments host receptions between the two Commencement ceremonies for the graduates and their guests. Light refreshments are available at the receptions as well. Detailed information will be posted as it becomes available.

General Information

Ambulance

An ambulance will be stationed in the northwest parking lot of the Park Center.

Emergency Exits

In case of an emergency, flag a marshal, student usher or a university police officer and proceed to the nearest exit in an orderly manner.

Flowers and Commencement-Related Gifts

Flowers and Commencement-related items will be available for purchase on the second floor of the Park Center outside Corey Gymnasium from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. during both ceremonies. Flower arrangements include bouquets of half dozen and full dozen roses, as well as open presentation. Cameras, batteries, diploma frames, class rings, watercolor prints of the campus and other Commencement gift items will be available as well. The College Store, located in Neubig Hall, will also be open for additional purchases from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.

Guest Assistance

Faculty and staff marshals, student ushers and university police officers are available at all times for assistance and information. Faculty and staff marshals will be wearing Commencement regalia, the student ushers will be in polo shirts and khaki pants, and University Police officers will be in full uniform.

Students with mobility impaired family members should arrange seating by contacting Darci Bacigalupi, special events coordinator, at ext. 5453 or at undergraduate.commencement@cortland.edu. To arrange for mobility impaired parking, contact university police at ext. 4123 or visit Van Hoesen Hall, Room C-17.

Students or guests with hearing impairments can be accommodated with special seating arrangements and the availability of on-stage sign language interpreters by contacting Darci Bacigalupi.

Lost and Found

For lost and found items, contact the University Police Department, Van Hoesen Hall, Room C-17, ext. 4123.

Programs

Official Commencement programs will be distributed at the entrances to the Park Center Alumni Arena. All eligible graduates who apply for their degree by March 31 will have their name listed in the program.

Restrooms

Restrooms are located on all levels of the Park Center Alumni Arena and signs will mark their locations.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside campus buildings.

Telephones

Emergency phones are located throughout the entire campus and are identified by blue lights above the phones. University police are equipped for emergency communication as well. Guests are reminded to turn off all cell phones and beepers during the ceremony.

Tickets

In order to adhere to the Fire and Safety Code, every guest attending the Commencement ceremonies, must have a guest ticket. The number of tickets distributed is based upon the Fire and Safety Code, which clearly indicates the number of people we can safely accommodate in the Park Center Alumni Arena. Each student is given five guest tickets.

The first opportunity for graduates to pick up the tickets is at Grad Finale™ on April 7. After Grad Finale, tickets may be obtained at the College Store. Students will select their ceremony when they pick-up tickets. Tickets for each ceremony are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students will receive a total of six tickets — one student line-up ticket and five guest tickets. Students should not dispose of the student line-up ticket as they will need this ticket to enter Corey Gymnasium to participate in the Commencement ceremony.