General Information

Commencement is the ceremony celebrating a student’s expected conferral of degree. Also know as a graduation ceremony. Participation in the ceremony does not equate to degree conferral. Additional information regarding degree conferral can be found in the college catalog at https://catalog.ithaca.edu/undergrad/academic-information/graduation-regulations/ for undergraduate students.

  • Your friends, you will line-up the morning of with your friends regardless of their last name or school.
  • Tassel has no impact on where you will sit. 

There will not be a graduation practice ceremony. 

  • Ithaca College allows all December 2025 through December 2026 students to participate in the May 2026 Commencement ceremony.  

  • December graduates, if you do not want to attend the May 2026 ceremony you can say no, I am not attending, on the Tassel RSVP website. All December graduates are invited to both the December they graduate, and the May ceremonies.

Diplomas

Your name may appear in several places:

  • On your diploma
  • In the commencement program
  • On the ceremony screens
  • When your name is called on stage

The name used follows this order:

1.  Name on your Application for Degree (if you submit it on time)

2.  If the application is not submitted by the deadline, your preferred name will be used

3.  If you do not have a preferred name on file, your legal name will be used.

Diplomas are mailed to the address the student has recorded on their application for degree six to eight weeks after the conferral date. Students will also receive an electronic diploma delivered to their IC email address. Diplomas include, name student has recorded on their application for degree, conferral date, degree awarded (bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of fine arts, or bachelor of music) and any Latin honors earned. If a student graduates with a second Baccalaureate Degree (not a second major), they will receive two diplomas. All major, minors and concentrations will appear on the official transcript.

The First Destination Survey must be completed or a hold will be placed on the delivery of your diploma.

  • December 2025 diplomas will be mailed mid to late January 2026
  • May 2026 diplomas will be mailed mid to late June 2026

All graduates who participate in-person at the Commencement ceremony will be given a diploma cover.  Students who do not participate in-person can purchase diploma covers from the campus store. 

Academic Regalia (Caps and Gowns)

Yes, all undergraduate students are required to wear a cap and gown. Graduate students are required to wear a cap and gown and bring their hood. 

No, academic regalia can be purchased at the Campus Store up until the Friday prior to the ceremony.. 

Regalia can be purchased effective immediately in person at the Campus Store or online at https://ithaca.edu/commencement-regalia. 

Additional Questions?

Commencement is a campus-wide event involving multiple departments and people. In order to ensure your question gets to the right person, please contact our Commencement email address.