Commencement 2024

Commencement 2024
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Gifts received by Monday, April 15, 2024 will be acknowledged in the commencement program in honor of your student.


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Graduate Frequently Asked Questions

PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES.

General question(s) not answered below can be sent to commencement@newpaltz.edu. Anything related to the status of your credits or grades, should be directed to the Office of Records and Registration. Anything related to commencement attire, please contact Herff Jones directly.

The occurrence of all Commencement activities will depend on NYS guidelines in place at the time of the event.

Our partners at Herff Jones require at least one month from the date of your order to deliver your cap and gown, so be sure to get your orders in soon to make sure they fulfill in time for May celebrations!

Note: All commencement communication will continue to be sent to your New Paltz e-mail account through May 2021.


 

When are the 2020 and 2021 graduate ceremonys?

Classes of August/December 2020 and May/August 2021:

Options under review and contingent upon state health guidance.

 

Classes of August/December 2019 and May/August 2020:

Options under review and contingent upon state health guidance.

 

 

How do I sign up to participate in the ceremony?


1. Complete 2021 Application for graduation due dates/academic eligibility:

Students submit the degree application by the deadline as listed during the last term of attendance. For questions, please contact Records and Registration

January 1: Degree Applications for May conferral

March 15:  Degree Applications for August conferral

July 1: Degree Applications for August conferral

 

What if I graduated a different year and plan to walk in the May 2021 commencement ceremony?

TBA

 

Complete the Graduating Student Survey

August 2020 and December 2020 graduates and May 2021 and August 2021 candidates:  

You will receive an email invitation in your New Paltz email account that comes from the Office of Institutional Research and has the subject Graduating Student Survey.

If you have any other issues, problems, or questions about the survey, please contact the Office of Institutional Research and Planning by phone at 845-257-2951 or via email at oir@newpaltz.edu.

3. Obtain your cap and gown, honor cord, and study abroad sash

Note: Our partners at Herff Jones require at least one month from the date of your order to deliver your cap and gown. Orders placed directly online will be delivered to your home or address you provide. Caps and gowns are royal blue to match the school colors. Stoles, rings, announcements, diploma frames and other memorabilia may also be ordered through the Herff Jones website.

To order please visit:  herff.ly/newpaltz

Pricing for Master's Cap, Gown, Tassle and Hood: $88 + $7.95 shipping + tax

Graduation year charms will be available free of charge, which are attached to your tassel. Any other extras will need to be purchased. For questions on sizing and exchanges, please contact the Bookstore directly at 845-257-3050 or visit the store: M/W/TH: 10 am -5 pm; F: 10 am - 3 pm. Closed TU/SA/SU.  Master's units are purchased and must be worn by all participants. We do not rent master's units.

 

FAMILY & FRIENDS

In all our planning, safety remains our top priority. The uncertain nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our limited ability to predict what conditions will be and what rules and regulations will be in place this May, require us to prepare for multiple contingencies. Options are under review and contingent upon state health guidance.

Student Participation Card for Name Announcement

TBA

Graduate Commencement Information Sessions

TBA


Know your lineup location and arrival time

TBA

 

Will there be closed captioning for the live streaming and an interpreter for the graduating students?

Yes, the live webstream will offer closed captioning and a sign language interpreter will be on site to translate the entire commencement ceremony. In the event of an in-person ceremony, there will be live streaming and an interpreter.

 

Disability Resource Center

Although the DRC in-office services are closed right now, all of the staff is working remotely during the pandemic. Please communicate with us by sending an email to: drc@newpaltz.edu and we will respond as quickly as possible.

Photography/Senior Pictures

In all our planning, safety remains our top priority. The uncertain nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our limited ability to predict what conditions will be and what rules and regulations will be in place this May, require us to prepare for multiple contingencies.

If an in-person ceremony is approved, The college will contract a professional photography company to take photographs of every candidate walking across the main stage. This service is provided without cost or obligation. Within 10 days of the ceremony you will receive a proof by mail.  If you wish to order, you may. For more information call 800-345-7427.

Senior Pictures (Portraits) Students should contact Center for Student Engagement at 845-257-3025 or LifeTouch/Prestige Portraits at 1-800-687-9327. 

Can an August or December 2020 graduate and August 2021 candidate walk in May 2021?

Yes. Candidates who reserved August 2020, December 2020, and August 2021 degrees can walk in May 2021. Please check with the Records and Registration directly for questions concerning credits and your degree.

What should I wear with my master's unit?

Commencement is a formal ceremony; please dress accordingly.  The general rule is light weight, non-restrictive clothing. Men do not have to wear jackets, but should wear a shirt and tie. Please do not wear shorts, jeans, or sweat pants. Comfortable shoes.

It is recommended that candidates try on their master's units to make sure they fit correctly and are presentable. Candidates are not permitted to accessorize their gowns other than cords or sashes from recognized organizations and departments on campus.

Should I wash/iron my gown beforehand?

No. To get the wrinkles out, just take the gown out of the bag and hang it up for a few days before the ceremony. This allows time for the fabric to relax. DO NOT iron the gown. The direct heat will destroy the fabric.

Will my individual class be recognized? 

SUNY New Paltz will separately recognize your graduating class. These classes will be listed individually by school, graduation month and year in the commencement program. Your graduation year "charm" that can be worn on the graduate cap tassel, will be sent with your commencement regalia.

What if I lose my tassel?

Please check with the campus bookstore.

Will the campus bookstore be open the day of the graduate ceremony?

TBA

How do I know what degree I am getting?

If you are unsure of the titling of your specific degree, check with Records and Registration at 845-257-3100, or contact your adviser.

Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?

No, the official diploma is not presented at Commencement. Diplomas will be mailed to the candidate's permanent address approximately six-to-eight weeks after Commencement from the office of Records and Registration. A diploma cannot be issued until all obligations, such as library fees, parking tickets, etc., are cleared.

What do I do if there is confusion about my degree when purchasing my tassel?

Any questions about your degree can be answered by Records & Registration.