Family/Friends

The May 2026 undergraduate ceremonies will recognize students who complete their degree requirements in December 2025, May 2026 or August 2026, or are expected to complete student teaching, internship, fieldwork, study abroad or another academic requirement that is not completed on or near the Cortland campus in December 2026.

The SUNY Cortland graduate ceremony will be held Saturday, May 15, in Park Center Alumni Arena. There is only one graduate ceremony.

The doors will open one hour prior to the ceremony for guests:

• Graduate Ceremony – 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. (Friday)

Undergraduate ceremonies will be held Saturday, May 16, in Park Center Alumni Arena. Depending on the student's major they will be in one of our three ceremonies.

The doors will open one hour prior to each ceremony for guests:

• Ceremony A – 9:30 a.m., doors open at 8:30 a.m. (Saturday)
• Ceremony B – 2:30 p.m., doors open at 1:30 p.m. (Saturday)
• Ceremony C – 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. (Saturday)

The processions will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The length of the ceremony is approximately two hours.

Guests can visit the parking webpage for more information on where to go when arriving to campus prior to their arrival. Available lot are: S-54, S-55, S-56, S-57, S-62, and S-63. If all these lots are at capacity, guests will be directed to S-68 & S-70. 

UPD officers will also be directing traffic to assist guests when they arrive to campus.

The following items are strictly prohibited at all SUNY Cortland Commencement ceremonies:

• Alcohol and illegal substances
• Bags and backpacks
• Balloons and any inflatable items (beach balls, footballs, etc.)
• Drones and/or unmanned aircraft devices
• Fireworks and/or confetti cannons
• Laser pointers
• Long golf umbrellas
• Noise-making devices (air horns, bullhorns, cowbells, whistles, etc.)
• Pets or emotional support animals (with the exception of service animals)
• Signage attached to sticks, including selfie sticks
• Tobacco, nicotine, and e-cigarettes
• Tripods and monopods
• Weapons
• Any other item deemed dangerous or inappropriate

Cortland Auxiliary Services will be serving light refreshments and gift merchandise. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed at Commencement.

The doors will open one hour prior to the ceremony for guests:

• Graduate Ceremony – 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. (Friday)
• Ceremony A – 9:30 a.m., doors open at 8:30 a.m. (Saturday)
• Ceremony B – 2:30 p.m., doors open at 1:30 p.m. (Saturday)
• Ceremony C – 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. (Saturday)

All guests MUST have a ticket for undergraduate ceremonies. Guests attending the graduate ceremony will not need a ticket for entry.

For the Undergraduate Commencement ceremonies, please note, guest tickets will be scanned at the entrance. If you attempt to re-use a ticket or use a ticket reserved for a different ceremony time, you will be placed in the overflow viewing area. All seating, with the exception of accessibility seating, is on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests with an accessibility request need to arrange their accommodations by filling out the online registration form prior to Friday, April 24, 2026.

Overflow viewing and webcast viewing are options available for guests without tickets.

Emergency services are stationed inside Park Center Alumni Arena. An ambulance will be stationed outside.

In case of an emergency, seek assistance from a marshal, Commencement usher or a university police officer and follow any instructions given in an orderly manner.

Faculty and staff marshals, Commencement ushers and university police officers are available at all times for assistance and information. Faculty and staff marshals will be wearing Commencement regalia, while the Commencement ushers will be wearing volunteer t-shirts and university police officers will be in full uniform.

Students or guests with an accessibility request need to arrange their accommodations by filling out the online registration form.

Note: Please submit all requests for accommodations by April 24, 2026 so that proper arrangements can be made.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Campus Event Management Office at 607-753-5453 or email at [email protected]. 

For lost and found items, contact the University Police Department, Whitaker Hall, Room 110, 607-753-2112.

Restrooms are located throughout Park Center. 

SUNY Cortland prohibits tobacco, nicotine and electronic cigarettes and electronic aerosol delivery devices on campus. More information can be found here.

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 silence all cell phones and any other electronic devices during the ceremony.