Messages and Updates

Dear Class of 2025 Graduates, 

Congratulations! As the big day approaches, we wanted to share some of the most important information you’ll need to make Graduate Hooding and Commencement a memorable occasion for you, your friends, your family, and the entire college community. We encourage you to review the information below, share the information with your guests, and save this message for future reference. Please be sure to visit Ithaca College’s Graduate Hooding and Commencement website for the latest updates regarding various Graduate Hooding and Commencement-related festivities. Additional questions can be shared to commencement@ithaca.edu.

If you pre-ordered your graduation regalia it can be picked up at the Campus Store the week prior to Commencement.

• Pick-up dates are Monday, May 12 – Friday, May 16 .
• Location: Campus Store (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
• You must show your student ID.
• You can only pick up your own order.

If you have not yet ordered your regalia, the Campus Store will have a limited amount of regalia available for purchase in the store from now through Commencement weekend. Remember, regalia—cap, gown, and hood—is REQUIRED for entrance to the A&E Center for Commencement.

Watch this video to learn how to properly wear your graduation cap and gown.

A full schedule of Commencement weekend events can be found on the Commencement website.
 

• Line up for the graduate procession begins at 12:15 p.m.
   
• Entry for graduates will be available through the west and east (ADA accessible) sides of the A&E Center.
   
• Upon entry to the A&E Center, you will be directed where to line up for the procession, where you will line up by school and then by major.
   
• Bring your Tassel GradPass QR code (these can be printed or displayed digitally on your cell phone).
   
• If utilizing your phone, please make sure it is sufficiently charged as you will need to show your QR code again when you go up to the stage during the ceremony.
   
• You will be called to the stage by program and hooded by your faculty while on stage. Please stay in the order of the procession when seated.
   
• The ceremony is expected to last approximately 90 minutes.

A casual reception will take place immediately following the conclusion of the ceremony inside the Glazer Arena. Please plan to stay for one last farewell with your dean and favorite faculty members.

• Ithaca College has partnered with a local vendor, Island Photography, to provide comprehensive coverage of this year’s Graduate Hooding and Commencement ceremony.
   
• You will have a photo taken as you cross the stage, and a posed photo behind the stage.
   
• These photos will be made available for purchase within two weeks following the ceremony, with instructions provided in an email to your Ithaca College address.
   
• General photos of the ceremony will also be available within two weeks to view and download at no charge through the Graduate Hooding and Commencement website.
   
• If you are posting photos to Instagram or other social media on the day of the event, be sure to use the hashtag #ICGrads.

This year we will be offering our Graduate Hooding and Commencement program in a variety of ways.

• Graduates will find a printed copy of the official Graduate Hooding and Commencement program on their chairs.
   
• Guests will receive a printed order of events that includes a QR code and link to access the full program online.
   
• In addition, the full program will be available to download and print at no charge through the Graduate Hooding and Commencement website.

Every year we ask our graduates to complete the First Destination Survey to share their post-graduation plans. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete, and you can always go back to update your survey as your plans change. (You will not receive your diploma until you have completed your survey!) 

You can complete your survey today by visiting the First Destination Survey website.

Venue and Ceremony Information

• Due to the smaller nature of the Graduate Hooding and Commencement ceremony, all family and friends of graduate students are invited to attend the ceremony. No tickets are required to gain entry to the event.
   
• Doors open to guests at 12:00 p.m. 
   
• All guests must be seated by 12:30 p.m. at the latest.
   
• Guests are strongly encouraged not to bring any type of personal bag, but if needed they may carry a bag that meets the specifications on the Security page of the Commencement website.
   
• Guests may also bring an empty water bottle or sealed commercial water bottle; however, other drinks and snacks are not permitted.
   
• Prohibited items also include but are not limited to: coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags. More details for guests can be found on the Security page of the May Commencement website.
   
• The west entrance of the A&E Center will be available for guest use. Accessible drop-off and entry are available through the east entrance, and you will receive additional instructions if you register for accessible parking.
   
• Flowers will be available for sale at the Graduate Hooding and Commencement ceremony. (The College Store will also be open in Phillips Hall on Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)
   
• Concessions will be available for purchase on-site.

Livestream

• The Commencement ceremony will also be livestreamed.

Campus Food Service Options and Hours 
The Ithaca Bakery retail food service venue located in the Campus Center will be open on Saturday, May 17, from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

• Please consult the end of semester schedule for more information about dining locations and hours.
   
• Campus retail food service requires purchase through GrubHub, either using the app or via kiosk.

Join us for the Commencement Eve Concert and Fireworks on Saturday, May 17. The concert will start at 8:30 p.m. in the A&E Center’s Glazer Arena, with fireworks directly following.