Messages and Updates

Congratulations! As Commencement Weekend approaches, we wanted to share some of the most important information to be aware of to help make 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 Commencement website for the latest updates regarding various Commencement-related festivities. Additional questions can be shared to commencement@ithaca.edu.

As a reminder, graduates are REQUIRED to wear cap and gown in order to gain entry to the A&E Center to participate in Commencement. If you haven’t already purchased your regalia, you can do so by visiting the Campus Store during normal business hours. The Campus Store is open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, as well as 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday . Regalia can also be purchased online and picked up at the Campus Store by visiting the Campus Store website. 

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

A full schedule of Senior Week and Commencement Weekend events can be found on the Commencement website.

• Line up for the graduate procession begins at 9:00 a.m. at the east side of the A&E Center (the Higgins Stadium side) near the Gardens parking lot.
   
• 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.
   
• While lining up for the procession, you may stand next to your friends. You will not cross the stage in alphabetical order or by school, so be sure to text your family when it's close to your time to cross the stage!
   
• If the procession is canceled for any reason, all graduates will be asked to proceed directly into the A&E Center to check-in and be seated.
   
• Your name will be read as you cross the stage during the latter part of the ceremony. Ushers will let you know by row when it’s your turn to head toward the stage for your graduation moment.
   
• The ceremony is expected to last approximately three hours.

A casual reception will take place immediately following the ceremony on the academic quad (weather permitting). Look for your school’s designated area and take this opportunity 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 Commencement ceremony.
   
• You will have one photo taken as you cross the stage, and a posed photo taken 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 email address.
   
• General photos of the ceremony will also be available within two weeks to view and download at no charge through the 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 Commencement program in a variety of ways.

• Graduates will find a printed copy of the official 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 May Commencement website.

• Please remember that traffic will be much heavier than usual on Commencement Day, and you will need to prepare accordingly. We recommend you double your normal travel time to campus on Sunday. If you are able, make use of your hotel shuttle service, or carpool with family or other graduates.
   
• Parking during Commencement weekend does not require a special pass. Guests may park in any legal space or as directed by Public Safety officers. Please note that fire lanes, no parking zones, accessible spaces and other reserved spaces and lots will be enforced as usual.
   
• If you are planning to arrive at the Athletics and Events Center by motor vehicle you should plan to park anywhere on campus other than Lots A and M , as those lots are fully reserved for accessible parking. A portion of Lot C will also be offline for reserved accessible parking, but will feature a limited inventory of available spaces. All other campus parking lots will be available, and we encourage those without mobility issues to park further from the A&E Center if possible.
   
• For those who need accessible parking, there is a form to fill out on the Commencement website. The Accessible Parking Permit Request Form must be completed by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15 , in order to receive an IC issued permit for the reserved lots.
   
• Further questions may be directed to the Office of Public Safety at (607) 274-3756.

Venue and Ceremony Information

• Doors open to guests at 8 :00 a.m. 
   
• All guests must be seated by 9:30 a.m. at the latest.
   
• We strongly encourage guests in need of accessibility support to arrive as early as possible. Guests with hearing impairments are encouraged to arrive early to select a seat closer to the visual screens to ease reading of live captions that will be displayed during the ceremony.
   
• 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.
   
• Guests should have their ticket QR code with them and readily available, either as a printout (recommended) or on a charged phone. Guests must have a ticket for entry to the A&E Center.
   
• Flowers will be available for sale at the 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.

Alternate Viewing Locations and Livestream

• The Commencement ceremony will also be livestreamed.
   
• Alternative viewing locations will be set up on campus at IC Square located on the first floor of the Campus Center, as well as the Clark and Klingenstein Lounges located on the second floor of the Campus Center.

Campus Food Service Options and Hours 
The Ithaca Bakery retail food service venue located in the Campus Center will be open on Saturday, May 16, from 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 17, from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

The IC Square Food Court located on the bottom level of the Campus Center will also be open on Saturday, May 16, from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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