Potsdam Ceremonies for the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2020
As announced previously and posted on our Academic Calendar and commencement web pages, Clarkson University is holding the dates below for the Class of 2021 commencement ceremonies and the Class of 2020 ceremony postponed last year due to the pandemic.
- Class of 2021 Graduate Ceremony – Thursday, May 13
- Class of 2021 Undergraduate Commencement – Saturday, May 15
- Class of 2020 Undergraduate & Graduate Commencement – Saturday, May 22
While the dates have been selected, it is important to remember that the dates and/or planned format to mark this milestone with our graduates may need to be altered subject to New York State’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols that will be in effect in May 2021. If the dates need to be changed due to restrictions, Clarkson will communicate any changes with as much advance notice as possible.
While we know students, families, faculty and staff at all New York higher education institutions want to see detailed plans and we would like to announce those, many decisions about commencement are still pending based on current NYS regulations in effect.
We have had no new guidance issued since last June, but are monitoring an influx of recent updates from the NY Governor’s Office including guidance for large arenas and stadiums with 10,000+ capacity. Events in these venues will be piloted starting today and NYS could extend this guidance to collegiate commencement activities and smaller venues in the near future. This pilot guidance includes testing requirements, mandatory face coverings, temperature checks and assigned socially distanced seating with just 10% capacity of a facility. For example, this would be roughly 400 people for inside Cheel Arena.
As part of being ready with different scenarios, here are those that the University is currently preparing alternatives:
- Location: While Clarkson has held commencement in Cheel Arena since it was built in 1991, Clarkson is reviewing several options both in the facility and outdoors.
- Number of ceremonies and audience size – This will be impacted by the maximum number of people who are allowed in venues under state regulations. For example, if the size of the ceremony is capped at 150 people as it currently stands in the last guidance issued for graduations, several ceremonies would need to be held to allow all students to commence.
- Format – While we are hopeful at this time for an in-person ceremony, other options may be necessary, depending on regulations at that time. These could include having just the degree recipients in-person and family viewing virtually, and if regulations do not evolve for education and/or become stricter, a virtual-only ceremony.
- Regalia: Students are encouraged to go ahead and order regalia by March 26. We will offer photo sessions in iconic areas of campus and a buy-back of any unused regalia if state mandates limit in-person commencement.
A final decision on these and other details about commencement will be made around April 1.
