DEAR GRADUATES,
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR UPCOMING COMMENCEMENT.
THIS IS A VERY BUSY TIME OF YEAR. MOST GENERAL QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED IN THE SECTIONS BELOW THIS PARAGRAPH. PLEASE REVIEW THESE FIRST TO GET AN IMMEDIATE ANSWER.
Please be sure you have registered to graduate through the Office of Records & Registration. Once you have done this, (including December and August 2022 graduates) you DO NOT have to do anything further. Just keep checking your New Paltz email or your primary email account you have registered with the college such as your gmail, Yahoo etc.) where information will be sent as it becomes available.
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.
Due to capacity limits in the reserved seating area, and to be fair to all students, we cannot exceed the four reserved guest ticket policy. No exceptions. Extra guests may bring lawn chairs and view the ceremony from outside the reserved seating area. All children two years old plus will require a ticket for entry.
These same four guest tickets can be used in the disability seating area (please see this section in FAQ's to reserve).
Tickets are only available online to graduating students who have completed their 2023 Application for Graduation with the Office of Records and Registration.
When logging into the ticketing software to download your four guest tickets, you MUST use the email that notified you about your tickets. This will be your New Paltz email or your personal account (Gmail, Yahoo, Etc.).
You may also download your tickets from the Commencement home page, where there are also troubleshooting links. If you continue to have issues, please contact bedom@newpaltz.edu.
There is also a Will Call area on the day of commencement where tickets can also be obtained.
Tickets can also be picked up on day of ceremony
WILL CALL TABLE LOCATION:
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023 GRADUATE MAP
SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023 COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES MAP
SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2023 SCHOOLS OF BUSINESS, EDUCATION, FINE & PERFORMING ARTS, SCIENCE & ENGINEERING MAP
Line up:
Graduate Ceremony:
Friday, May 19, 2023
Please line up in Lecture Center South no later than 5:30 p.m.
Undergraduate Ceremonies
Please line up in Athletic and Wellness Center.
Saturday, May 20, 2023: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Sunday, May 21, 2023: Schools of Business, Fine & Performing Arts, Education; Science & Engineering
Please line up at the Athletic & Wellness Center Gym no later than 9:15 a.m.
Line-up locations:
The Student Participation Card will be used to annouce your name and receive a sample picture taken as you approach/cross the stage. Please fill these out in advance to save time at the line up area and please remember to bring with you. There will be a space to add your name phonetically if it's difficult to pronounce. Please print your name as neatly as possible so your name will be called correctly.
Student Participation Cards for the Name Announcer will be distributed:
At the Headquarters Desk in the lobby of the Student Union beginning Friday, May 5 - Friday, May 19, 2023 to 3:00 pm.
- or-
At your line up area (if the above pick up is not an option for you)
Graduate Ceremony: May 19, 2023 - Lecture Center North
Undergraduate Ceremonies, May 20 - 21, 2023 - Athletic & Wellness Center
What about stoles?
International stoles can be purchased on the Herff Jones website.
Departmental stole inquires should be directed to the individual school or office/department such as EOP, Athletics, etc.
If you meet the following criteria, you will be notified in the spring from the Commencement Office on how to obtain your honor cords.
Your grade point average of courses taken at SUNY New Paltz as of Fall 2022 pre-qualifies you for Latin honors. The honor cord symbolizes a GPA of 3.30 or higher and is offered to students with a pre-qualifying GPA.
Latin Honors designation for May and August 2023 graduates will be determined following submission of final spring and summer grades, respectively. Latin honors will be noted on the transcript and diploma. For additional details concerning Honors, please view the Policies:Graduation with Honors page. If you still have questions about Latin Honors calculations, please contact the Office of Records and Registration directly.
If you are eligble based on the above criteria, you should have received an email outlining the details. Please show this email to the boosktore to pick up your honor cord with your New Paltz student or other picture ID. The bookstore can also check your eligibility by visiting or contacting them at 845-257-3050.
Guests who need extra assistance (i.e. wheel chair or walker) there is special seating in our disability seating area for your comfort. Four reserved tickets can be used here. To reserve a spot, please fill out the online form below by Monday, May 15, 2023. During the week of May 15, 2023, students who registered their guests will receive detailed instructions and a map (similar to below) with disability parking locations and entry into the disability seating area. Disability tags or license plates are required to park in the designated disability parking lots.
Graduate Disability Seating, Drop Off, Entrance and Parking
Friday, May 19, 2023
Graduate Ceremony
6 pm - 7:30 pm
Old Main Quad
Saturday, May 20, 2023
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
10 am - Noon
Old Main Quad
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Schools of Business, Education, Fine & Performing Arts, Science & Engineering
10 am - Noon
Old Main Quad
All ceremonies are rain or shine. IF THE WEEKEND WEATHER IS HOT! Please plan accordingly as the ceremony is NOT TENTED. For everyone's safety, bag checks are conducted at the gate entrances of the reserved seating area. Guests are encouraged NOT TO BRING LARGE BAGS into the reserved seating area.
- Complete 2023 Application for graduation due dates/academic eligibility with the Records & Registration Office located in Wooster Hall. Once you have filled out your application, you will begin to receive commencement information in your new paltz email account or whatever email account you have on file with the Office of Records & Registration. Nothing further needs to be done. Just watch your emails for commencement information.
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 December conferral
Please check with your individual school/department on how to obtain these, if available.
All three Commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed for those who are not able to attend in person. The link will be posted from the SUNY New Paltz home page prior to the ceremonies. The link will also be sent in advance to students so they can forward to their family and friends.
Yes, there will be closed captioning for live streaming and on site. We will also have an interpreter. If you require assistance, please contact the SUNY New Paltz Disability Resource Center at drc@newpaltz.edu or call 845-257-3020.
Due to capacity concerns, we are limiting this year's ceremony participation to only eligible candidates/graduates from the following classes:
August/December 2022;January/May/August 2023.
Seating Maps:
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.
Opportunity to learn how day will unfold and pick up your Student Participation Card for the Name Announcer, which is also needed to send you sample of your graduation picture as you cross the stage.
Note if you missed the recent information session, Student Participation Cards will be distributed at the Headquarters Desk inside the Student Union lobby, beginning May 5.
These cards will also be distributed at line up areas if you are off campus.
IF YOU ALREADY RECEIVED AND FILLED OUT YOUR CARD, PLEASE BRING THIS CARD WITH YOU TO YOUR LINE UP AREA THE DAY OF COMMENCEMENT.
Having these cards filled out in advance will save time at the line up area. There is a space where you can spell your name phonetically if it's hard to pronounce. Please be sure to print your name neatly so your name is pronunced correctly as you cross the stage.
Following the campus pivot to a mask-optional policy for most indoor spaces, we will go with a similar model for the outdoor Commencement ceremonies. The College will support all students, faculty, staff and visitors who choose to wear masks during the events, but we will not require anyone to do so.
Those who are vaccinated and boosted are not required to test. Everyone is encouraged to get a test if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and to quarantine while they are experiencing symptoms.
Those who are unvaccinated and/or unboosted should get a test prior to their ceremony. All participants and attendees should get a test if they experience COVID-19 symptoms prior to Commencement and to refrain from attending if they are experiencing symptoms.
Graduate School
No reception is being planned
Undergraduate:
Saturday, May 20, 2023: College of Liberal Arts & Sciences: Science Hall
Sunday, May 21, 2023:
School of Business: Lecture Center North
School of Education: College Terrace
School of Fine & Performing Arts: McKenna Theatre Patio
School of Science & Engineering: Science Hall
Reception map to be posted shortly. This same map will be inside the commencement program distributed at the ceremony.
The Disability Resource Center provides services to students with permanent or temporary disabilities to ensure access to programs and activities in the pursuit of attaining their educational objectives. Students who need assistance to participate in the May 2022 ceremony, should contact the Disability Resource Center at drc@newpaltz.edu or call 845-257-3020.
A shuttle bus will be provided transporting guests who wish this service to and from the parking losts.
A few gem cars will also be transporting guests to and from the parking areas to Old Main Quad (including disability seating area).
• From NYS Thruway (I-87):
Exit 18: Turn left at the traffic light after toll booth.
Turn left at first traffic light onto South Putt Corners
Rd. Follow that road to the end and turn right onto
Route 32.
Exit 17: After the toll booth, follow the signs to Route
300 North. At the light, turn left on to Route 300
North. After about 3 miles, continue straight onto
Route 32 North. After about 14 miles you will see
several campus entrances on the left side of the road.
• Additional Routes:
www.newpaltz.edu/campusdirections
Directions to Ceremony
Alternative Routes to Avoid Main Street Gridlock:
If you require a letter, please contact the Center for International Programs.
The college contracts with Genosee Photo 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.
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 caps & gowns 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.
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.
Yes as long as there are no profanities.
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.
Please check with the campus bookstore or Herff Jones.
Please check hours on SUNY New Paltz Campus Bookstore website.
If you are unsure of the titling of your specific degree, check with Records and Registration at 845-257-3100, or contact your adviser.
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.
You can choose which ceremony you want to participate in, but please be sure to choose the correct date when you download your tickets. The commencement office does not need to be notified.
Any questions about your degree can be answered by Records & Registration.
