Commencement

Graduates may choose which event they would like to attend. This open choice path for 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. gives students the option and allows us to better manage the programs.

Here are the key steps to follow in order to participate:

• Get a Ticket. Once selected, your time cannot be exchanged for another time. You can go to tickets.plattsburgh.edu now to set up your account, if you haven’t already, using your Plattsburgh email address. Tickets will not be available after Friday, Dec. 3.
• Requirements to Attend. In order to attend, you must have completed your COVID-19 vaccine series or provide proof of an existing exemption. Those with an exemption must obtain a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the event. As 97 percent of current students are vaccinated, we expect full compliance. Indoor face coverings for the event for all attendees will also be required.
• Up to two guests permitted. At the time of ticketing, you may register up to two guests. These individuals must also be vaccinated, or obtain and bring with them a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the event. Graduates will attest to this upon registering. Guests will check in upon arrival at the event. For those who cannot attend, a livestream of the event will be available online.
• Ahead: Get a Bracelet. Graduates will be asked to pre-check-in the week before the event. We will share specific details as we get closer. We plan to have tables in the ACC for those who have completed vaccines and have a ticket. Graduates will be given a bracelet corresponding to their event time. You will be required to arrive a half-hour early for the commencement-day event. Bracelets will be available the day of the event if you are not able to pre-check.

We are able to have a limited number of teaching faculty and professional staff attend the 10 and 12:30 programs. We are planning the traditional walk into the event for graduates and faculty.

You may choose which event you would like to attend.

Here are the key steps to follow in order to obtain a seat for an event:

• Get a Ticket. Links to get a ticket will be sent that day via email. The college ticketing system will be used for graduates to sign up for a time. Once selected, your time cannot be exchanged for another time. You can go to tickets.plattsburgh.edu now to set up your account, if you haven’t already, using your Plattsburgh email address. Tickets will not be available after Friday, Dec. 3.
• Vaccine Requirement Applies. In order to attend, you must have completed your COVID-19 vaccine series or obtain a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the event. Indoor face coverings for the event will also be required of all in attendance. Livestream of the event will also be provided.
• Ahead: Get a Bracelet. Attendees will be asked to pre-check-in the week before the event. We will share specific details as we get closer. We plan to have tables in the ACC for those who have completed vaccines and have a ticket. Attendees will be given a bracelet corresponding to their event time. You will be required to arrive a half-hour early for the commencement-day event. Bracelets will be available the day of the event if you are not able to pre-check.

Volunteering

As in past years, we are in need of volunteers for duties ranging from ushers to check-in staff. All volunteers, like formal attendees, must have completed their vaccine sequence.

Please email [email protected] with your availability to support our graduates.

Masking, vaccination and other directions will apply.

Our plans are contingent on the public health situation and state guidance. Should COVID-19 cases on campus or in the region increase markedly, we may be forced to change plans. However, we are optimistic and moving forward with our plans.

A livestream of each event will be made available on the college website at the time of the ceremony.

A recording of each event will be archived and kept on the college website for later viewing.

As is tradition, the Honors Council will select student commencement speakers to speak on behalf of their classmates at the ceremonies. We plan to have one speaker at each of program.

Here are details:

• Let the Honors Center know you're interested. Students who wish to speak should an email of interest by Friday, Nov. 5 to Nicolle Jarvis in the Honors Center at [email protected]. To be eligible, students should be graduating with a 3.0 or higher GPA.
• Send a draft speech by Monday, Nov. 8. Students should write a draft speech of 700 words or less, or about 3-4 double-spaced pages. The student's name should not be on the draft speech as the speeches are assigned a number in order to be reviewed in total anonymity. Attach a separate cover sheet with the name, local and home addresses, email address, phone number and academic major.
• Focus on the common experience. The most well received speeches are those that have the most meaning for the largest number of persons in attendance, reflect on the common educational experience, and share, in a personal way, the value of the education received at SUNY Plattsburgh.
• Wait to hear back. The Honors Council will make the choice based on clarity of ideas, appropriateness of topic, suitability for the occasion and intended audience, quality of content, and extent to which the speech represents the best of the Plattsburgh experience.

Members of the Honors Council will provide assistance to those selected in preparing the final version of their speech. Students will also need to be available to practice their speech.

Questions? Please contact Dr. Tracie Church Guzzio, Professor of English and Director of the Honors Program, at [email protected] or 518-564-3075.

Regalia can be purchased from the Campus Bookstore.
Phone: 518-564-4460
Website: plattsburghtextbooksshop.com
Email: [email protected]

The Campus Bookstore in Saranac Hall will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18.

The store will also have a limited number of alumni items as well as diploma frames at the E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium programs. They will be joined by The Commencement Group, who will have flowers, shirts, teddy bears and other gifts.