Faculty & Staff,
We are planning an in person commencement in Potsdam in Cheel Arena for the Class of 2021 and Class of 2020 in May following NYS announced plans for occupancy in indoor arenas. While we are waiting on final guidance to be issued from the NYS Department of Health to assess how to include faculty and staff who want to participate, we wanted to share with you what has been sent to students who are eligible to graduate.
The announcements below and linked in this section were sent to the Potsdam Undergraduates and Graduates from the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021. The Capital Region Campus Commencement is still being determined. If you have further questions, please contact Scott Smalling, ssmallin@clarkson.edu or Kelly Chezum, kchezum@clarkson.edu from the COVID-19 Response Team. Thank you.
May 2021 Graduates:
In this communication:
- Outline of Commencement for Graduating Students & Maximum of 2 Guests
- Cap & Gown Ordering – Deadline 3/26
- Online Graduation Application
Class of 2021,
As always, we hope this message finds you, your family, and friends in good health and spirits. We are all looking forward to celebrating graduation with those you planning to return to campus on May 15 for our special commencement for the Class of 2021.
Thank you to all of you who completed the survey on commencement options following our session with all graduating seniors and graduate students finishing degrees on Monday. The following scenarios are based on your collective responses and where New York State Guidance is today.
- We will be holding a minimum of three in person ceremonies that will be inclusive of current graduating students and up to a maximum of two guests per graduate. See initial timing below.
- The number of ceremonies will be dependent upon how NYS Guidance evolves in terms of the capacity and physical distancing allowed inside Cheel Arena; and how many of you register in advance to participate.
- As we have done in past years, all ceremonies will have video options for remote guests.
- Under current NYS guidance, all in person participants inclusive of both students and guests will be required to submit proof of a negative result from COVID-19 testing and meet all NYS travel advisory guidelines/ mandatory quarantines in effect on the dates of the ceremonies. More details on the process for sharing this information will be forthcoming based on evolving NYS guidance.
- We need everyone’s continued support in managing the incidence of COVID-19 positive cases on our campus. Keep following all protocols for health and safety of and supporting your fellow Golden Knights in making good choices.
We are currently basing our assumptions on press conference information from Governor Cuomo regarding usage of arenas and what gives us the maximum number of participants.
The current plan is to use Thursday, May 13 (Graduate Ceremony) and Saturday, May 15 (Undergraduate Ceremonies for May 2021 Graduates) as the minimum for three ceremonies. We expect to finalize plans in early April based on the status of federal, state and local health directives at that time, that may still include guidance on large gatherings and travel.
Based on the graduate survey response, we know that having an in-person ceremony, regalia, and allowing up to two guests are important factors to our graduates. We ensured that these factors were considered when creating the Commencement plan outlined here. We know many peer institutions are limiting ceremony options as well and we’re holding some final decisions to support our student interests.
Although we are moving forward with in person Commencement ceremony plans, please bear in mind that we will be required to strictly adhere to all NYS guidelines.
Masks & Face Coverings: Masks will be mandated for everyone while on campus.
There is still time to order your Cap and Gown, but you must act quickly. If the ceremonies are cancelled, we will reimburse for regalia — students who do not attend will not be reimbursed. The deadline to order your cap and gown is this Friday, March 26. All caps and gowns must be ordered online through Jostens. If you miss the deadline, the University Bookstore will have regalia available for purchase a week before the event. Questions regarding your order should be directed to The University Bookstore at SM8366@bncollege.com or 315-265-9260.
Anticipated Schedule of Events:
May 13-Thursday
2:00 pm- White Coat Ceremony for Lewis School of Health Sciences
6:00 pm – Graduate Student Ceremony
May 14-Friday
Still TBD ROTC Commissioning
6 pm Undergraduate Commencement #4 if needed
May 15-Saturday
1:00 pm Undergraduate Commencement #1
3:30 pm Undergraduate Commencement #2
6:00 pm Undergraduate Commencement #3 if needed
How do you complete the online Graduation Application?
1. Students will be notified once the application is available in myCU.
2. Log into myCU
3. You will automatically be directed to complete the Graduation Application, or you can access the application on your Task & Holds tile.
4. Please read all instructions carefully and complete the application, all students must complete the application even if they do not plan to attend the commencement ceremony. Note: This does not reserve your tickets, ticket information will be sent out after April 15th to your Clarkson email address.
In the interim, any updates will be included on the Commencement website for more information on the weekend graduation plans and ceremonies.
Commencement Tickets-Limited to 2 guests per graduate
Ticket instructions will be sent out after April 15, so please watch your Clarkson email for information on how to select seats for your tickets. Tickets are not transferable to other students – you must be attending.
If you have questions about the ticket process or you have a new guest with any mobility, vision or hearing concerns, or any other special needs, email commencementtickets@clarkson.edu. Complete the Commencement Disabled Seating Request Form by April 15, 2021 to ensure your guests have the proper seating accommodations.
May 2020 Graduate information
Please use this link to RSVP for the May 22 Commencement Ceremony
In this communication:
- Outline of Commencement for Graduating Students & Maximum of 2 Guests
- Cap & Gown Ordering – Deadline 4/2
- Commencement RSVP link
Class of 2020,
As always, we hope this message finds you, your family, and friends in good health and spirits. We are all looking forward to celebrating graduation with those of you planning to return to campus on May 22 for our special commencement for the Class of 2020.
Thank you to all of you who completed the survey on commencement options. The following scenarios are based on your collective responses and where New York State Guidance is today.
- We will be holding a maximum of three in person ceremonies that will be inclusive of current graduating students and up to a maximum of two guests per graduate. See initial timing below.
- The number of ceremonies will be dependent upon how NYS Guidance evolves in terms of the capacity and physical distancing allowed inside Cheel Arena; and how many of you register in advance to participate.
- As we have done in past years, all ceremonies will have video options for remote guests.
- Under current NYS guidance, all in person participants inclusive of both students and guests will be required to submit proof of a negative result from COVID-19 testing and meet all NYS travel advisory guidelines/ mandatory quarantines in effect on the dates of the ceremonies. More details on the process for sharing this information will be forthcoming based on evolving NYS guidance.
We are currently basing our assumptions on press conference information from Governor Cuomo regarding usage of arenas and what gives us the maximum number of participants.
The current plan is to use Saturday, May 22 (Graduate Ceremony & Undergraduate Ceremonies) with the maximum of three ceremonies if needed. We expect to finalize plans in early April based on the status of federal, state and local health directives at that time, that may still include guidance on large gatherings and travel.
Based on the graduate survey response, we know that having an in-person ceremony, regalia, and allowing up to two guests are important factors to our graduates. We ensured that these factors were considered when creating the Commencement plan outlined here. We know many peer institutions are limiting ceremony options as well and we’re holding some final decisions to support our student interests.
Although we are moving forward with in person Commencement ceremony plans, please bear in mind that we will be required to strictly adhere to all NYS guidelines.
Masks & Face Coverings: Masks will be mandated for everyone while on campus.
There is still time to order your Cap and Gown, but you must act quickly. If the ceremonies are cancelled, we will reimburse for regalia — students who do not attend will not be reimbursed. The deadline to order your cap and gown is Friday, April 2. All caps and gowns must be ordered online through Jostens. If you miss the deadline, the University Bookstore will have regalia available for purchase a week before the event. Questions regarding your order should be directed to The University Bookstore at SM8366@bncollege.com or 315-265-9260.
Anticipated Schedule of Events:
May 22-Saturday
10:30 AM Commencement Ceremony #3 (If Needed)
1:00 PM Commencement Ceremony #1
3:30 PM Commencement Ceremony #2 (If Needed)
Please use this link to RSVP for the May 22 Commencement Ceremony
On Campus Housing will be available. Details will be provided at a later date.
In the interim, any updates will be included on the Commencement Website for more information on the weekend graduation plans and ceremonies.
Commencement Tickets-Limited to 2 guests per graduate
Ticket instructions will be sent out at the end of April, so please watch your email for information. Tickets are not transferable to other students – you must be attending.
If you have questions about the ticket process or you have a new guest with any mobility, vision or hearing concerns, or any other special needs, email commencementtickets@clarkson.edu.
At this point, there will be no faculty procession. Only the stage party will robe.
