2021 COMMENCEMENT PLANS
Clarkson University is very excited to be able to provide an in-person Commencement Ceremony for all of our graduates. We are following the strict NYS Guidelines, so adhering to capacity threshold, testing/vaccination clearance and maintaining COVID safe environment are our main focuses. We will be very strict on the 2 guest limit and only the 2 permitted/cleared guests will be permitted on the campus grounds throughout the weekend. We need strict compliance on 2 tickets to stay within our building occupancy limits set by NY state. Thank you for complying in advance !!
Based on all of the completed graduation applications, combined with NYS Commencement Regulations, at this time we will need to have several Commencement ceremonies for our Graduate and Undergraduate students to comply with all regulations. Please read this entire communication in full.
Requirements to attend:
Claim your graduate ticket for one of the ceremonies below.
- This reserves your ticket along with your two guests.
- Each graduate will receive 2 guest tickets, who will be seated next to each other in Cheel Arena. *Guest tickets will be sent to the graduate 5-7 days prior to the ceremony.
Ticket links for Thursday, May 13 are already live. Ticket links for Saturday, May 15 will go “Live” Thursday, April 22 at 7:00am. Please have vaccine information available to upload for you and your guests, if applicable, to expedite the entrance process to Cheel Arena the day of commencement. Graduates and Undergraduates must claim your tickets from the links below.
Ceremonies:
Thursday, May 13-6pm (2021 Graduate and Undergraduate ceremony)
Saturday, May 15-1pm (2021 Undergraduate ceremony)
Saturday, May 15-3:30pm (2021 Undergraduate ceremony)
Saturday, May 15-6pm (2021 Undergraduate ceremony)
***Remember to claim your graduate/undergraduate ticket above. This ticket is required for entry and guests tickets will be based off of the information collected when claiming tickets.
Deadline to claim tickets is May 3, 2021 at 9AM.
Testing/Vaccine Requirements
Under the NYS Guidelines, a proof of vaccination, a negative PCR COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event or a rapid test within 6 hours prior will be required to attend the ceremony. If you are currently an in-person student, you will be offered testing in Cheel the week of the ceremony. If you are coming from outside the campus, you will need to seek your own test.
NYS Approved Covid Test, Vaccine or Past Positive
- PCR Covid-19 Test within 72 hours of the Event
- Antigen Covid-19 Test within 6 hours of the Event
- Completed Vaccination(more than 2 weeks from Event)
- Tested Positive for Covid-19 within 90 days of the Ceremony
- Must have Isolation Release Paper from DOH
***If a graduate/undergraduate has a Completed Vaccination records or Isolation Release Paper from DOH from a past positive for themselves or guests please import when claiming your commencement tickets and completing the Graduate Commencement Ticket Questions.***
Graduate Testing
Clarkson University will provide testing for all graduate and undergraduate students attending a commencement ceremony that have not completed a vaccination series or are not within 90 days of testing positive for Covid-19. A completed vaccination series is when all vaccine shots have been received and 2 weeks have passed from your last shot. Testing for the May 13th commencement ceremony will take place May 10, time and location TBD. Testing for the May 15th commencement ceremonies will take place May 12, time and location TBD.
Guest Testing
All testing for guests that need to be Covid-19 tested will be at the responsibility of the guest. Clarkson University will not be conducting testing for guests attending the commencement ceremonies. If you have not completed vaccination at least two weeks prior to the ceremony, or have tested positive more than 90 days prior to the ceremony, you will be required to show a negative Covid-19 test before entry to Cheel Arena will be allowed in accordance with NYS Regulations.
If there are any questions in regards to testing procedures and protocols please email Commencementtesting@clarkson.edu.
Entering and Exiting Cheel Arena
Graduate & Undergraduate Entering Instructions
Graduates will enter Cheel Arena through the loading dock/Zamboni entrance 1 hour before the ceremony begins. Graduates need to be seated 45 minutes prior to ceremony start for ceremony instructions. Graduates and Undergraduate may not congregate and must scan seats prior to instructions beginning for Covid-19 tracing. Graduates need to remain masked through the ceremony.
Graduates will need to bring with them the following to enter:
- Clarkson Student ID
- Graduate/Undergraduate Ticket (Electronic or Paper)
Guest Entering Instructions
All guests will enter Cheel Arena through the front main entrance beginning 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. After entering Cheel Arena guests need to move to their seats. Guests need to sit in the seat assigned on the ticket and wear masks that cover both their nose and mouth due to NYS Regulations and Covid-19 tracing requirements. Congregating of any kind will not be permitted. If anyone must stand at some point during the ceremony, standing is only permitted at designated areas marked throughout the arena.
Guests will need to provide the following:
- State Issued ID matching the ticket information
- Graduate/Undergraduate Ticket (Electronic or Paper)
- COVID Test/Vaccination Verification Prescreen-
- If your ticket type states “Pre Screen Needed” you will need to prescreen
- Pre-Screening will take place in the lobby of Walker Arena(next to Hantz Field) starting 3 hours prior to the ceremony.
- Required Documents for Pre-Screening:
- State Issued ID matching the ticket information
- Individual Guest Ticket
- Proof of valid and completed Covid Vaccine series or proof of negative Covid-19 test
- If ticket type states, “Verified Pre Entry” you have already submitted the required documents and do not need to Pre-Screen. Bring your ticket and State Issued ID when entering Cheel Arena.
- If your ticket type states “Pre Screen Needed” you will need to prescreen
Graduate,Undergraduate, and Guest Exiting Instructions
All Graduate, Undergraduate, and Guests will need to exit as soon as the ceremony concludes to allow sanitation and preparation for the following ceremony. Guests will not be permitted on the arena floor. All Graduate, Undergraduate, and Guests will need to exit through the back or side entrances of Cheel Arena immediately following the ceremony.
Regalia
If you still need to order your cap and gown, please use this LINK to reserve one through the Clarkson Bookstore.
If you have any additional questions about tickets, please contact commencementtickets@clarkson.edu