SUNY Potdam

Who May Participate in Commencement?
You may participate in the Bachelor's Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 17, 2009, if you have completed 100 academic hours by the end of the fall 2008 semester, and you have submitted an Application for Degree to the Registrar’s Office.

You may participate in the Master's Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2009, if you will complete your degree requirements in December 2008, May 2009 or August 2009 and have submitted an Application for Degree to the Office of Graduate Studies.

How to Order Your Cap and Gown
Caps and gowns must ordered from The College Store in the Barrington Student Union, (315) 267-2573, by Friday, March 20 (no deposit required). Payment is due when you pick them up at the Grad Finale on April 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union or at The College Store between May 11 and May 15 from noon to 4 p.m. Do not send money before this time. Graduation announcements can be ordered at the Grade Finale or online at www.jostens.com.

Commencement Program
To be listed in the Commencement program, bachelor's students should have submitted an Application to Graduate at the Registrar's Office, 3rd floor of Raymond Hall, and master's students should have submitted an Application to Graduate at the Office of Graduate Studies. The list of names that will appear in the program will be posted at www.potsdam.edu/academics/commencement.
If you apply before April 15, your name will appear in the program. If you apply after April 15, your name will not appear in the program, but you may still participate in the Commencement ceremony.

Grad Finale
The Grad Finale will be held on Wednesday, April 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Barrington Student Union. Bachelor's and Master's students can pick up their caps and gowns and visit tables with a number of campus representatives including Financial Aid, Registrar's Office, Student Gift Committee, Alumni Association, Career Planning, Commencement Committee, Bursar's Office, The College Store and Jostens.

Graduation Announcements
Personalized announcements, which include name, degree and major, are available from Jostens at the Grad Finale on April 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union or online at www.jostens.com. There is no order deadline, but allow three weeks for delivery. There are also general announcements available at The College Store.

Accommodations
Reservations for guest housing in the residence halls for Saturday, May 16, and/or Sunday, May 17, may be made by contacting the Office of Residence Life, Draime Hall, at (315) 267-3712 from April 1 to May 8. No reservations will be accepted until April 1. All reservations must be accompanied by a $10 per person non-refundable deposit. Room rates are:  double $40 per night, and single $30 per night. Space is very limited, and rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis (twin beds, no baths). HOUSING NOW FULL.

Photographs
The College has retained the services of a commercial photographer, and participants will be photographed as they are congratulated. Graduates will receive a color proof of their photograph, which will be sent to their home address, unless you request that we keep that information confidential. Graduates may place orders but are not obligated to do so.

Special Seating
Anyone requiring special accommodations, such as arrangements for a wheelchair or seating close to the stage for the hearing impaired to see the sign language interpreter, should e-mail Joseph Sarnoff, co-chair of the Commencement Committee, at askjoe@potsdam.edu.

Decorum
Commencement is an important occasion for all of us, and as such, the ceremony should be formal and dignified. Guests and graduates are reminded that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. Anyone found to have alcoholic beverages in their possession during the program will be asked to leave. Also, noisemakers and other distractions will not be permitted. Please do not bring pets.

Guests and graduates are also asked to remain seated until the ceremony is completed, in deference to those graduates who are last to cross the stage.

Child Care Arrangements
Child care will be available on Saturday, May 16, during the Master's Commencement Ceremony from 9 a.m. to noon in the Crane Commons and on Sunday, May 19, during the Bachelor's Commencement Ceremony from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Merritt Hall Gymnasium. Child care is free, but you must register your child by calling (315) 267-2114.

Children will be provided with snacks and beverages. Please notify the caregivers if your child has allergies or other health concerns.