Congratulations to our Graduates!
Commencement
SUNY Plattsburgh will host a series of smaller, in-person commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2021 on Saturday, May 15 in the Field House gymnasium.
The events are designed to follow New York State Department of Health guidelines for
graduation events and county Health Department guidance.
Related information is below. As more details are developed, they will be shared here.
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Attendance & Ceremonies for GraduatesFollowing New York State Department of Health guidelines and county Health Department guidance, we are planning to hold five smaller, in-person commencement ceremonies in the Field House gymnasium. These will be at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.Graduates may choose which event they would like to attend. We had planned to assign particular times based on school or major as is tradition, but this open choice path gives students the option and allows us to better manage the programs.Here are the key steps to follow in order to participate:
- Now: Think About an Event Time. Grad seating will be limited for each time slot. We encourage grads to talk with
friends and faculty ahead of this time so you have the best opportunity to walk with
those you would like to. When a program is full, it is full, so there are no guarantees
on time.
- Tuesday, April 27 at Noon: Get a Ticket. Links to get a ticket will be sent via email Tuesday. 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 Plattsburg
h email address. Tickets will not be available after Tuesday, May 11. - Take Note: Vaccine and Testing Requirements Apply. In order to attend, you must have completed your COVID-19 vaccine series at least 14 days prior to the event or provide proof of a negative
diagnostic COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event. Pool testing is not sufficient. It must
be a PCR or similar test such as NAAT. This is a state requirement.
- 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. 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 to allow for screening.
An online Zoom event for graduates who are not able to participate in-person will be held at 6 p.m.
- Now: Think About an Event Time. Grad seating will be limited for each time slot. We encourage grads to talk with
friends and faculty ahead of this time so you have the best opportunity to walk with
those you would like to. When a program is full, it is full, so there are no guarantees
on time.
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Volunteering to Help & Attendance for Faculty, StaffFollowing New York State Department of Health guidelines for graduation events and county Health Department guidance, we are planning to hold a series of five smaller, in-person commencement ceremonies in the Field House gymnasium. These will be at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.We are able to have a limited number of teaching faculty and professional staff attend in socially distanced seats. We are planning the traditional walk into the gym only for graduates. Faculty and staff will take their seats prior to the event.AttendingHere are the key steps to follow in order to obtain a seat for an event:
- Now: Think About an Event Time. We encourage you to talk with grads and colleagues ahead of time so you have the
best opportunity to attend with those you would like to. When a program is full, it
is full, so there are no guarantees on time.
- Tuesday, April 27 at Noon: Get a Ticket. Links to get a ticket or tickets will be sent via email Tuesday. The college ticketing
system will be used for faculty and staff to sign up for particular times. You can
go to tickets.plattsburgh.edu ahead of time to set up your account, if you haven't already, using your Plattsburg
h email address. Tickets will not be available after Tuesday, May 11. - Take Note: Vaccine and Testing Requirements Apply. In order to attend, you must have completed your COVID-19 vaccine series at least 14 days prior to the event or provide proof of a negative
diagnostic COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event. Pool testing is not sufficient. It must
be a PCR or similar test such as NAAT. This is a state requirement.
- 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 to allow for screening.
An online Zoom event for graduates who are not able to participate in-person will be held at 6 p.m.Volunteering
As in past years, we are in need of faculty and staff volunteers for duties ranging from ushers to check-in staff. All volunteers, like formal attendees, must have completed their vaccine sequence or have a negative diagnostic COVID test within 72 hours of the events. - Now: Think About an Event Time. We encourage you to talk with grads and colleagues ahead of time so you have the
best opportunity to attend with those you would like to. When a program is full, it
is full, so there are no guarantees on time.
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No Guests for In-Person Events
We are disappointed that family and friends will not be able to attend the in-person ceremonies. We understand this is true of events at many other colleges yet that does not make it easier.
We will be sharing each celebration via livestream. Recordings will also be online after the program.
Guests or spectators will not be allowed to enter the Field House or other campus facilities due to ongoing COVID restrictions.
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Health & Safety
We are following guidance from the state and SUNY that limits attendance regardless of size or location. Masking, distancing, 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.
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Livestream of Events & RecordingsA 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. -
Bookstore & RegaliaGraduates should order regalia as soon as able.
Regalia can be purchased from the Campus Bookstore or directly through the college vendor.The vendor site will be open until Thursday, April 22. It is https://plattsburgh.shopoakhalli.com . Students should choose the ship to home option.The bookstore's flower/shirt vendor will not be on campus for the graduation events, but they are doing orders online for shirts, hoodies, teddy bears and other gifts. These can be ordered at https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/ .sunyplattsburg/ For graduation weekend, the Campus Bookstore will be open until 6 p.m. Friday, May 14 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 15.