SUNY Empire
Commencement
2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Commencement Eligibility Questions

 

Who is eligible to participate in commencement?

Commencement eligibility requirements for Spring 2025 Commencement must be met by April 1, 2025. Students who become eligible after April 2, 2025, will be invited to participate in our winter 2025 commencement in Albany.

Students who are eligible to participate in Spring 2025 Commencement will receive email communications to their student email address (@sunyempire.edu) beginning in February 2025. Email communications will contain a link to register to attend: all students looking to participate in a commencement ceremony must register.

Eligibility to participate in commencement varies by program. Please visit our commencement eligibility page for help determining your eligibility.

 

When do I officially graduate?

Commencement participation and graduation clearance are different processes.  

Your graduation date is determined by the date you fulfill all your academic requirements. Please speak with your mentor or advisor for detailed information about your expected graduation date and visit the Graduation Procedure webpage for more detailed information.

 

I have questions about commencement eligibility. Who should I contact?

If you have questions about your commencement eligibility, please visit our commencement eligibility page. If you cannot find your answer there, contact the event coordinators at commencement@sunyempire.edu.

 

How will I know if I am invited to participate in commencement?

Eligible students will receive an email invitation to their student email address. Please be aware, we do not send emails to students' personal emails.

In order to attend a commencement ceremony, eligible students must register through the form linked in the email invitation.

 

Regalia Questions

 

What should I wear to the ceremony?

All Students

Regalia is required to walk in our commencement ceremony. Information about how to order regalia will be sent to commencement-eligible students by email beginning in February 2025.

Students are encouraged to wear attire and footwear they will be comfortable walking, sitting, and standing in during the ceremony.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students must wear a cap and gown (regalia) to participate in commencement. Students must wear a black gown and a black mortarboard with black tassel.

Graduate Students

Graduate students must wear a black gown and a black mortarboard with black tassel. Graduate students will also need to order an academic hood in colors that signify your academic discipline and the institution at which you earned your graduate degree.

 

Can I decorate my mortarboard?

Absolutely! We encourage you to customize your mortarboard. We only ask that you remember that commencement is a family event and that customization should be respectful of all people. Please also be sure that your decorations will not block the view of the person sitting behind you and will not impair your vision while walking.

Download and print a design for your cap in celebration of your accomplishments! 

Commencement Cap Designs (PDF 934kB)

 

What if I forget my regalia or it does not arrive in time?

Regalia is required at commencement. We strongly encourage you to order your regalia well in advance of your commencement date. If you arrive without regalia, we cannot guarantee you will be provided a proper cap and gown. A limited supply may be available on the day of the ceremony.

 

Am I eligible for Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude)?

Latin honors designations are recognized for bachelor's degrees only and are calculated based on a student's cumulative grade point average.

Students whose degrees were awarded by the eligibility deadline, and who earned Latin honors will be listed with honors in the commencement program. Latin honors will show on the diplomas and transcripts of all eligible graduates when the degree is awarded. For more information about Latin honors at SUNY Empire, review our Latin honors policy.

Gold honors cords will be provided for eligible students to wear during the ceremony and can be picked up at student check-in. Please direct all Latin honors eligibility questions to registrarsoffice@sunyempire.edu.

 

Will I be recognized for my military service?

A red, white, and blue cord and Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard stole will be provided for any active duty, current guard, reservist, and veteran regardless of discharge status. Red, white, and blue cords are also available for military spouses. Cords and stoles can be picked up at student check-in on the day of the commencement ceremony.

 

Ceremony Questions

 

When and where are the spring 2025 commencement ceremonies?

SUNY Empire will be hosting ceremonies in Albany, Manhattan, and Rochester, NY, in May 2025. Please visit our ceremony information page for more information. Details will be added as the ceremony dates approach.

Please be aware, the venues do not allow guests to bring in balloons.

 

When should I arrive?

Students must arrive before the beginning of their ceremony. This will give you time to check in and line up for the processional. Location-specific information will be sent to students eligible to attend commencement will be posted to the Ceremony Information page

 

Will the ceremony be livestreamed?

All SUNY Empire in-person commencement ceremonies are livestreamed. The livestream feed will be available approximately five minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and will end when the ceremony has concluded. The livestream feed can be found at www.sunyempire.edu/commencement. A video recording of the ceremony will also be posted to the commencement webpage the week following the ceremony date.

 

Is there a ceremony rehearsal?

There is no rehearsal prior to commencement. You will receive instructions from SUNY Empire staff when you arrive at the commencement venue.

 

How many guest tickets will I receive for commencement? How can I register for tickets?

Guest ticket allotments vary from year to year based on venue size and number of commencement-eligible students. The number of guests allowed for each ceremony will be communicated via email to all commencement-eligible students, along with a link to register for yourself and your guests.

 

How do I invite guests who live internationally?

We recommend reaching out to the local U.S. consulate within the country that your family members are in to apply for a visitor visa. Click here to view visa appointment wait times.

SUNY Empire does not provide letters to graduates as a means for their guests to apply for a visa from their country to attend a graduation ceremony. We recommend using copies of the following documents instead:

 

Will there be a photographer at the ceremony?

There will be a photographer to capture moments at the event. Photos taken the day of commencement will be uploaded to a public SUNY Empire Flickr album in the weeks following the ceremony.

When you attend a SUNY Empire commencement ceremony, you and your guests will enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording will occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such photography, audio, and video recording and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for SUNY Empire’s promotional and marketing purposes now and in the future.

 

Will a student speaker be featured during the ceremony?

Yes -- each ceremony features a student speaker and applications are now open! Students eligible to participate in spring commencement ceremonies are welcome to apply. Read more about being a student speaker and the application process, including important deadlines, on the Student Speaker webpage.

 

Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?

Although diplomas are not handed out at the commencement ceremony, each commencement-eligible student who crosses the stage will receive a diploma cover.

Students who have satisfied all academic and financial requirements to earn their degree can expect to receive their diploma by mail approximately three weeks from the day SUNY Empire awarded the degree. Please note that participation in commencement does not necessarily indicate degree completion. Learn more about the graduation process.

 

How long will the ceremony last?

Our ceremonies last approximately 1 - 1.5 hours.

 

Will there be a place to keep valuables?

No. There is no secure place to store valuables, such as bags and purses, at the commencement venues. Please leave all valuables with your guests or place them in something small enough to fit under your regalia. SUNY Empire is not responsible for theft or loss of personal property.

 

What happens if I'm unable to attend the ceremony?

Attending a commencement ceremony is not mandatory. If you are unable to attend one of the spring ceremonies and would like to attend our winter ceremony instead, please reach out to commencement@sunyempire.edu.

All diplomas are mailed to students after the completion of their degree requirements and are not handed out at commencement, as graduation and commencement eligibility are considered separate processes. Please visit the Office of the Registrar's Graduation Procedure page to find additional details about degree award process and diplomas.

In case of inclement weather, updates will be posted to the commencement webpage. Weather conditions may vary across state regions. SUNY Empire is committed to everyone’s safety and wellbeing.

 

Commencement Location Questions

 

How do I get to the commencement venue?

Driving directions, public transportation routes, accessibility information, and parking information can be found on the venue website. Venue information and links can be found on the Ceremony Information page.

 

Where do I park at the commencement venue?

Parking information will be shared with students registered to attend a commencement ceremony as the ceremony date approaches. General arrival and parking information can be found at the venue's website, which is linked to from the Ceremony Information page.

 

Is the venue accessible to people with disabilities?

Yes. All our commencement venues are accessible to people with disabilities. For more information, please visit the venue’s accessibility page. If you have additional questions about venue accessibility, please contact commencement@sunyempire.edu.

 

Are animals allowed at the commencement venue?

Animals/pets are not allowed at our commencement venues, except for ADA-defined service animals.

 

If you have questions not answered on this page, please email commencement@sunyempire.edu and we will be happy to assist.

Get Involved:

We know our students have amazing, determined, unique and real stories about how they got to this truly awe inspiring moment. Please share your stories with us. We take such pride in the accomplishment our students have made.

Share your Commencement story!



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Notice of Photographic & Media Recording

When you attend an Empire State University commencement ceremony, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such photography, audio, and video recording and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for Empire State University’s promotional and marketing purposes now and in the future.