Ceremony Information

A ceremony will be hosted at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, NY.

Friday, May 29, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Empire State Plaza Convention Center
279 Madison Ave.
Albany, NY 12242

All commencement-eligible students have received the registration link via their student email accounts. Be sure to check your email for details on how to register.

Important: The Albany ceremony registration deadline is May 15, 2026.

More details, including what to expect at this specific venue, will be added to this page.

Any student who meets the eligibility requirements for participation in the spring 2026 commencement ceremonies is invited to attend this ceremony. All commencement-eligible students are encouraged to choose their ceremony location based on what is most convenient to them.

 

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Two ceremonies will be hosted at the New York City Center in Manhattan, NY, on Wednesday, May 20, and Thursday, May 21, 2026.

New York City Center
131 W 55th St. (between Sixth and Seventh avenues)
New York, NY 10019

Commencement-eligible students who would like to attend a ceremony in Manhattan should select the day according to the list of colleges below. If you are unsure of which college your degree is affiliated with, please reach out to the commencement team at commencement@sunyempire.edu.

A ceremony for the following colleges will be hosted at the New York City Center in Manhattan, NY, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6 p.m.:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business
• College of Education

A ceremony for the following colleges will be hosted at the New York City Center in Manhattan, NY, on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 6 p.m.:

• College of Health and Human Services
• College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

All commencement-eligible students have received the registration link via their student email accounts. Be sure to check your email for details on how to register.

Important: The registration deadline for the Manhattan ceremony location is May 6, 2026.

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A ceremony will be hosted at the Kodak Center in Rochester, NY.

Friday, May 8, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Kodak Center
200 W Ridge Rd.
Rochester, NY 14615

Any student who meets the eligibility requirements for participation in the spring 2026 commencement ceremonies is invited to attend this ceremony. All commencement-eligible students are encouraged to choose their ceremony location based on what is most convenient to them.

All commencement-eligible students have received the registration link via their student email accounts. Be sure to check your email for details on how to register.

Important: The Rochester ceremony registration deadline is April 24, 2026.

Venue Information for Registered Commencement Participants and Guests

Please Note: The Kodak Center has strict entry protocols and venue restrictions that you and your guests must adhere to. Please carefully review the Kodak Center Bag Policy and House Rules with your guests. 

Prohibited items include but are not limited to bags larger than 8.5” L x 6" W x 11” H, outside food or drinks, weapons, cameras with external flash, recording equipment, flammable or disruptive items, animals (other than ADA service animals), and smoking or vaping devices. 

All persons and bags are subject to inspection and electromagnetic wanding. Patrons will be asked to return non-compliant items to their vehicles. Violators are subject to removal. 

What time should I arrive for commencement?   

Students who are commencing must arrive no later than 5 p.m. This will give you time to check in and line up for the processional. The ceremony starts promptly at 6 p.m.   

What time will my guests be allowed to be seated?   

The auditorium will open for guests to be seated at 5 p.m.   

How long will the ceremony last?   

The ceremony will last approximately 1-1½ hours.   

Where should I reconnect with my guests after the ceremony? 

Students will exit the ceremony before guests. We recommend planning to meet your guests either in the cafeteria on the second floor of the Kodak Center or back at your parked vehicles. Creating a plan in advance can help alleviate stress when departing from the venue. 

Is the facility accessible?   

The Kodak Center is a fully accessible facility. All entrances are wheelchair accessible, and wheelchair accessible restrooms and seats are available. Companion seats are also available.  

A sign-language interpreter and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be available at the ceremony.   

If you haven’t done so already, please contact commencement@sunyempire.edu to request accommodations or other accessibility supports for you or your guests.   

Can I purchase food at commencement?    

The cafeteria concession stand will be open with a limited menu from 4-6 p.m. Food and beverages are not allowed in the theater where the ceremony is held. 

How many family members/friends can I bring to the ceremony?  

You registered for guest tickets when you indicated that you would be attending commencement. Although physical tickets are not required for the commencement ceremony, we will monitor the number of guests on the day of commencement.

Where do I park?   

Complimentary parking is located across the street from the Kodak Center. There are designated accessible parking spaces in all Kodak Center surface lots. Visit www.kodakcenter.com/p/visit/directions-parking for a map and detailed parking information.   

Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?   

Diplomas are not distributed at the ceremony. You will receive a padded diploma cover when you cross the stage. The Office of the Registrar will mail your diploma to the address on file when you have fully graduated from the university. Please direct questions regarding your diploma to the Office of the Registrar at 800-847-3000.   

What should I wear for commencement?   

Students are required to wear a black cap and gown to participate in commencement. We suggest comfortable footwear for standing and walking. If you don’t have regalia and plan to participate, please request regalia through Commencement Closet.   

Is there a place to keep valuables?     

No. There is no secure place to store valuables at the commencement venue. Please leave all valuables with your guests or vehicle. SUNY Empire is not responsible for theft or loss of personal property.   

What if my plans have changed?   

If you no longer plan to attend the ceremony, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing commencement@sunyempire.edu. This helps us determine staffing needs, reallocate tickets, and provide accurate attendance information to the venue. 

Congratulations on your achievement! We look forward to celebrating with you soon!   

Additional questions? Visit our FAQ page at www.sunyempire.edu/commencement or email commencement@sunyempire.edu.   

 

 

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