Information for Students

Eligibility


Who may participate in Commencement Ceremonies?

Undergraduate Students may participate in Commencement on Sunday, May 19, 2013, if

  • You have completed 100 academic hours by the end of the fall 2012 semester,
  • AND if you have submitted an Application for Degree to the Registrar's Office.
  • If you do not meet the 100 hour requirement but can show that you will be within 14 credits of completing your graduation requirements by the end of the spring 2013 semester, and that you will complete them by December 2013, you may apply for a waiver to participate in Commencement through the Registrar's Office.  The deadline for waiver applications is March 1.

Graduate students may participate in Commencement on Saturday, May 18, 2013, if

  • You will complete your degree requirements in
    • December 2012,
    • May 2013, or
    • August 2013
  • AND have submitted an Application for Degree to the Office of Graduate Studies.


Dates and Deadlines

 
Please mark these important deadlines on your calendar.

By Friday, February 8

Your first step toward graduation is to make certain you meet all academic requirements. Here are some steps to follow to ensure you have completed all your requirements:

  • Plan to meet with your adviser soon to review your courses and requirements on BearDEN.
  • Undergraduate students should file the Application for Degree with the Registrar’s Office by Friday, February 8.  The Undergraduate Application for Degree can be found online at the following link: http://www.potsdam.edu/offices/registrar/forms.cfm. You can confirm that your application has been received on BearPaws (Academic Transcript) and in BearDen (Graduation Status) 3 days after your application arrives in the Registrar’s Office.
  • Graduate students should file the Application for Degree with the Office of Graduate Studies by Friday, February 8.  The Graduate Application for Degree can be found online at the following link: http://www.potsdam.edu/offices/registrar/graduation/upload/appforgraddegree.pdf

The Application for Degree also reserves your seat at the Commencement ceremonies. If you file beyond the deadline listed above, we cannot guarantee that your name will be printed in the Commencement program.

Note: Your student account bill must be paid in full or deferred by Certified Financial Aid to allow the release of your transcripts, final grades and diploma.


In March …

  • Undergraduate students who have earned at least a 3.25 cumulative average after completing 100 academic semester hours (exclusive of physical education), 45 of these at SUNY Potsdam, by the end of the fall 2012 semester, are eligible to wear a College honors cord (silver), available for purchase through The College Store.
    • Cum Laude (3.25-3.49): maroon tassel
    • Magna Cum Laude (3.5-3.74): silver tassel
    • Summa cum laude (3.75+) maroon and silver tassel
    • All others: black
  • Graduate students who have earned at least a 3.9 cumulative average are eligible to wear a College honors cord (gold), available for purchase through The College Store.
  • To obtain a College honors cord, your name must be listed with an honors designation on BearPAWS on the May Graduation Ceremony page.


Commencement Program

  • To be listed in the Commencement program, undergraduates should have submitted an Application to Graduate at the Registrar's Office, 3rd floor of Raymond Hall, and graduate students should have submitted an Application to Graduate at the Office of Graduate Studies in Satterlee Hall 116. You may confirm that your application has been received on BearPaws (Academic Transcript) and in BearDen (Graduation Status).
  • If you have not applied yet, please do so immediately. If you apply before April 1, your name will appear in the program. If you apply after April 1, your name will not appear in the program, but you may still participate in the Commencement ceremony.
  • If you have applied by April 1, you can check your Commencement program name, degree, major(s), and college honors on BearPAWS on the May Graduation Ceremony page.


On Wednesday, April 3rd

  • A limited number of on-campus rooms will be available for Commencement guests. Housing reservations may be made starting on Wednesday, April 3rd after 9 a.m.
  • Reservations can be made in person at the Residence Life Office in Draime Hall Extension – first floor, or by calling (315) 267-3270. 
  • No reservations will be accepted before Wednesday, March 27.
  • On-campus Commencement housing is for Saturday, May 18, 2013 to Sunday, May 19, 2013.
  • Room rates are:
    • Double: $50.00 per night
    • Single:  $37.50 per night
  • As space is very limited, rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis in a traditional residence hall (twin beds, no private baths).
  • Check-in will be between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 18.


In early April …

  • If you have a Federal Perkins Loan or Federal Stafford Loan, you must complete an Exit Interview session.
    • The Office of Student Accounts will contact you regarding Federal Perkins Loans.
    • The Office of Financial Aid will forward instructions for completion of the online Exit Interviews for Federal Stafford Loans.
  • Non-Crane undergraduates who have applied for May graduation will receive a Graduation Status check through email by early May.
    • If you have questions, meet with your adviser or contact the Registrar’s Office in Raymond Hall,313.


April 10 – Grad Finale

  • The Grad Finale will be held on Wednesday, April 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the lobby of the Barrington Student Union.
  • Bachelor’s and master’s students should purchase your cap and gown 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.
  • If you ordered graduation regalia online before April 5, 2013 and requested Pick up @ Store, it will be available beginning April 10th, during Grad Finale. Orders placed after April 5 and requesting Pick up @ Store, will be available for pick up after April 16. Orders requesting to be shipped will begin shipping April 5.
  • Personalized announcements, which include name, degree and major, are available from Jostens at the Grad Finale on April 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Student Union or online at www.jostens.com. There is no order deadline, but allow three weeks for delivery. 
  • Tickets are not required for the graduate ceremony or the outdoor undergraduate ceremony. In the event of severe weather the outdoor undergraduate ceremony will be moved inside. Due to limited seating, tickets will be required for this emergency ceremony. Each student will receive 5 tickets at the Grad Finale.


By April 18

  • Clear all holds by Thursday, April 18.  The College will withhold your transcript and diploma until your obligations are satisfied.
    • Make sure your parking tickets are paid.
    • Library books, keys and borrowed College equipment should be returned.


By May 9

  • Students who are physically challenged and require special arrangements should contact Eric Duchscherer at duchsced@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-2350.
  • Guests who are physically challenged and require special seating should contact Kathryn Deuel at deuelkj@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-2102, no later than Thursday, May 9.  


May 10 

SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson University will offer a combined Baccalaureate Service for graduating students and their families at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10 at Trinity Church, 8 Maple Street, Potsdam. 

A Baccalaureate service is a celebration that honors a graduating senior class from college. The Baccalaureate is an ideal opportunity for students to reflect, with their families, on all they have accomplished. This spiritual event celebrates all faiths in wishing graduates well. The event is free and open to people of all faiths and spiritual traditions. 

The service will offer readings from Hebrew, Christian, and Muslim religious texts, as well as musical performances by a cappella groups from both Universities. Speakers will include students and faculty from both Universities.

Contact Tamera Rizk at trizk@clarkson.edu with any questions about the service.

 

Cap and Gown


May 13-18

  • All graduates must wear a cap and gown. Students may purchase them through The College Store (315) 267-2573 or you may order online http://bookstore.potsdam.edu/SiteText.aspx?id=5108.
  • Your cap and gown will be available for pick up at The College Store as follows:
    • Between Monday, May 13 and Friday, May 17 from Noon to 4:00 p.m.
    • Saturday, May 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Undergraduates will receive 5 tickets to the emergency weather ceremony when you pick up your cap and gown. No tickets are required for the Master’s Ceremony or outdoor Bachelor’s Ceremony.

Childcare: If you or a guest requires childcare during the ceremony you must register your child by calling (315) 267-2100.  Children will be provided with snacks and beverages. This is a free service. Please notify caregivers if your child has allergies or other health concerns.


By May 17

Contact the Student Mailroom if you will be continuing with your studies at the College AND would like to maintain your current mailbox number and address. The College will relinquish the box to another student after Commencement if no contact is made.


Special Events


Friday, May 17 • 4 - 6 p.m. - Party In The Plaza - Minerva Plaza

  • Listen to music, grab a bite to eat and be part of your class photo as the Alumni Association welcomes the Class of 2013 into their ranks.

Saturday, May 18 – 2:00 p.m. - Honor’s Convocation  - Snell Theater

  • Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend the Honors Convocation. Students receiving awards will be notified by their department. Reception immediately following in the lobby of Snell Theater.

Saturday, May 18 - Master’s Ceremony – 9:30 a.m. - Hosmer Hall

Sunday, May 19 - Bachelor’s Ceremony – 10:15 a.m. – Academic Quad


Saturday, May 18 - Master’s Ceremony


The ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. in the Hosmer Concert Hall

  • 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Lehman Dining Hall - Brunch
    $8.00 Cash and Bear Express, $6.40 Flex, 1 meal on your meal plan (can only be used by plan holder), or guest pass.
    For a la carte meals, the Student Union Dining Court will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • 8:30 a.m.- Doors open to guests at Hosmer Hall (no tickets are required)
  • 8:30 a.m. - Childcare available in the Crane Commons until noon. Childcare is free, but you must register your child by calling (315) 267-2100.  Children will be provided with snacks and beverages.  Please notify caregivers if your child has allergies or other health concerns.
  • Before 8:45 a.m. - Crane, Bishop Hall - C101 and C107
    Master's Students Line Up. Faculty and staff volunteers will be there to guide and assist graduates with lining up and processional instructions.
  • 9:15 a.m.  - Procession begins to move toward Hosmer Hall
  • 9:30 a.m., Hosmer Concert Hall
    Master's Ceremony Begins
  • Reception will take place immediately following the ceremony outside on the Crane Plaza, weather permitting. 


Special Accommodations

  • Students who are physically challenged and require special arrangements should contact Eric Duchscherer at duchsced@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-2350.
  • Guests who are physically challenged and require special seating should contact Kathryn Deuel at deuelkj@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-2102, no later than Thursday, May 9.  There will be a sign language interpreter on the Commencement stage.


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.

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.

All Bachelor’s graduates must wear a cap and gown.  All Master’s Graduate must wear a cap, gown and hood. Students may purchase them through The College Store (315) 267-2573.


Photography

The College has retained the services of a commercial photographer, and participants will be photographed as they shake hands with the President and cross the stage. 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.  

Sunday, May 19 - Bachelor’s Ceremony


The ceremony will take place at 10:15 a.m. in the Academic Quad – Rain or Shine

  • Please dress and tell your guests to dress appropriately for the weather conditions. The ceremony will be outside unless there are severe or extreme weather conditions. There will be an option for guests who are uncomfortable with the weather conditions to watch the ceremony on a large screen inside, in the Multi-purpose Room of the Barrington Student Union.

Outside seating will be available, but guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs.  An unlimited number of guests may attend The Outside Ceremony.

  • 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. - Lehman Dining Hall
    $8.00 Cash and Bear Express, $6.40 Flex, 1 meal on your meal plan (can only be used by plan holder), or guest pass.

    For a la carte meals, the Student Union Dining Court will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • 9:00 a.m.
    Childcare available in the Merritt Hall Gymnasium until 1:00 p.m.  Childcare is free, but you must register your child by calling (315) 267-2100.  Children will be provided with snacks and beverages.  Please notify caregivers if your child has allergies or other health concerns.
  • Before 9:30 a.m., East Side of the Crumb Library (between the library and Merritt Hall)
    Undergraduate processional instructions and line up.
  • 10:00 a.m.
    Procession begins to move toward the ceremony site.
  • 10:15 a.m.
    Bachelor's Ceremony begins.
  • Approximately 12:30 p.m.
    Outside reception to follow ceremony, weather permitting.

 

Accessibility


  • Students who are physically challenged and require special arrangements should contact Eric Duchscherer at duchsced@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-2350.
  • Guests who are physically challenged and require special seating for a wheelchair or seating close to the stage for the hearing impaired to see the sign language interpreter should contact Kathryn Deuel at deuelkj@potsdam.edu or (315) 267-2102, no later than Thursday, May 9.

Please Note: Some care should be given to decisions about whether to invite very elderly or infirm guests to the bachelor’s ceremony.  The outdoor ceremony exposes people to the elements.  Very limited seating will be available in the Multi-purpose Room of the Barrington Student Union where those who cannot tolerate the elements will be able to see the ceremony on a large screen.


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.
All graduates must wear a cap and gown. Students may purchase them through The College Store (315) 267-2573.

Photography


The College has retained the services of a commercial photographer, and participants will be photographed as they shake hands with the President and cross the stage. 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.

Bachelor’s Commencement Emergency Weather Plan


A decision to move the ceremony inside will be made by 6:00 a.m. on Sunday only if extreme weather conditions are forecast (lightning, freezing temperatures, etc).

If the emergency plan is implemented, an email will be sent to all graduates, and an announcement will be made on local radio stations and at www.potsdam.edu/current/commencement.


Emergency Ceremony A – 10:00 a.m. – Hosmer Hall

  • All Crane, Visual Arts, and Theatre and Dance Majors will graduate in Ceremony A at 10:00 a.m. in Hosmer Hall. Other majors will graduate in Ceremony B.
  • These students should report no later than 9:30am to Rooms C101 and C107 in Bishop Hall in the Crane Complex for lineup and processional.
  • Doors to Hosmer will open at 9:00 a.m.
  • Each student should have 5 guest tickets for this ceremony. Tickets are given to students during the Grad Finale or at the College Store when you pick up your cap and gown.
  • Non-ticketed guests may view the ceremony on a large screen from the Student Union MPR.
  • A reception for all students and guests will be held in the Maxcy Fieldhouse following Ceremony B at approximately 1:00 p.m.


Ceremony B – 11:30 a.m. – Maxcy Gymnasium

  • All remaining students (other than Crane, Visual Arts, and Theatre and Dance) will graduate in Ceremony B at 11:30 a.m. in Maxcy Gym.
  • These students should report no later than 10:45 a.m. to the Maxcy Field House for lineup and processional instructions.
  • Gym Doors will open to guests at 10:00 a.m.
  • Each student should have 5 guest tickets for this ceremony. Tickets are given to students during the Grad Finale or at the College Store when you pick up your cap and gown.
  • Non-ticketed guests may view the ceremony on a large screen from the Student Union MPR.
  • A reception for all students and guests will be held in the Maxcy Fieldhouse following Ceremony B at approximately 1:00 p.m.


Questions? Please Contact


Accommodations for Physically Challenged


Application to Graduate


Caps, gowns, honors cords, graduation announcements


Room Reservations (by March 28)

  • Residence Life Office in Draime Hall Extension
    (315) 267-3270


College Store Hours

  • Commencement Weekend Hours:
    Saturday, May 18:  8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
    Sunday, May 19:  8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    (315) 267-2573


Child Care

  • Call (315) 267-2100 to register for childcare 


General Inquiries