Commencement
SUNY Plattsburgh hosts Commencement in the winter (December) and spring (May) on Saturdays.
Spring Commencement is divided into two ceremonies on the same day (9 a.m. and 2 p.m.). There is one ceremony during Winter Commencement. It begins at 10 a.m.
Please read this information carefully.
General Information
Please limit guests. No tickets required.
Seating capacity is limited. We ask graduates to limit guests to five in order to better ensure seating for others. Overflow seating with a live feed of the ceremony is available in the adjacent ice arena.
No tickets are required for students or guests to attend. However, college officials may stop the entry of guests if the gymnasium reaches capacity.
Free parking.
Guest parking is available in the lots adjacent to the Field House. Limited parking for guests with disabilities is located immediately in front of the Field House. However, you must possess a handicapped decal or license plate to park in that section.
Vehicles may drive to the front of the Field House and unload your guests, but must be parked in the nearby lots. Please follow the directions of University Police at all times.
Accessible to individuals with special needs.
The Field House is accessible to those with special needs through the gymnasium’s front entrance (please look for signs). Mindful of the potential for an emergency, we request individuals in wheelchairs or those unable to climb stairs or bleachers to sit in the area designated. Disabled-accessible restroom facilities are also available nearby. Participants and/or guests, who have questions regarding disability access should contact the President’s Office at 518-564-2010.
SUNY Plattsburgh also provides a signer for graduating students and guests with hearing problems. Please notify the President’s Office at 518-564-2010 in advance to arrange for nearby seating.
College Store open.
The College Store will be selling light refreshments, flowers for graduates and gift merchandise in the lobby of the Field House prior to each ceremony.
No alcohol or smoking permitted.
Commencement is a formal ceremony and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Please follow the directions of the ushers and University Police officers at all times.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on Field House grounds as well as in the building. Guests, as well as graduates, are not permitted to smoke in the Field House due to state law.
Persons, including degree candidates, found to have alcoholic beverages in their possession or smoking during the ceremony will be removed from the premises by University Police.
Balloons, noisemakers prohibited.
Balloons are not allowed in the Field House Gymnasium since these items can do damage to the buildings air handling system. Please refrain from bringing them to Commencement. Other forms of distraction, such as noisemakers, are also prohibited.