Who participates?
All candidates who have completed the Application for Graduation form, notifying the Registrar's office of their attendance, will participate in the ceremony. The ceremony is outdoors, rain or shine, in order to accommodate the more than 12,000 friends and family members who wish to attend.
What is the date and time of commencement?
Commencement will take place on the Campus Green on Saturday, May 23, at 11:00 a.m. The graduates will begin lining up at 9:30 a.m. and the procession will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m.
How long does the ceremony last?
The ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours. Following the ceremony you are invited to join fellow graduates and their families at a reception under the tents on the Champagnat Mall.
Do you know who the speaker will be?
This announcement is usually made in mid-April.
Will my son/daughter be individually recognized?
Yes, each graduate's name will be announced as he or she crosses the stage as long as the ceremony is held outdoors.
What is the Baccalaureate Award ceremony and when/where will it be held?
The College sponsors a Baccalaureate Awards ceremony to recognize the special achievements of graduating students in academic and community affairs. Award recipients will be notified at least one week prior to the ceremony. The ceremony will be held Friday, May 22, at 4:00 p.m. in Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel. In order to allow as many people as possible to attend Baccalaureate and to comply with seating requirements for the chapel, each award recipient will receive four tickets. Since seating is limited, award recipients are asked to arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. and guests no later than 3:45 p.m. After 3:45 p.m. anyone wishing to attend the awards ceremony will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. The ceremony will last one hour.
Are there announcements available that may be sent to relatives and friends?
Each student will be provided six announcements. The announcements will be mailed home along with the informational guide booklet to parents in early March. Orders for personalized announcements can be placed online at www.herffjones.com/college/graduation.
Are tickets required and is there a limit to how many guests can be invited?
Tickets are NOT required for the outdoor ceremony. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. Students are asked to limit their party to six guests out of consideration for their fellow graduates. No saving of seats will be allowed. If severe weather forces the ceremony indoors, tickets will be required.
Why are tickets required for indoor seating in severe weather?
Unfortunately the McCann Center isn't large enough to accommodate everyone on campus for Commencement. In order to guarantee that each senior will have two guests at the ceremony (either in the McCann Center or at a live-feed area) a ticket system was established. It is the graduate's responsibility to distribute these two tickets to his or her guests prior to the ceremony.
How does my graduating senior know about severe weather tickets?
Seniors are notified about severe weather tickets and ticket distribution through an informational guide booklet placed in their mailboxes prior to spring break and through the Commencement web site. The same booklet is mailed home to parents in March as well. Students are given their severe weather tickets at the same time they are given their line-up card.
What is the suggested guest attire?
Weather conditions have varied from picture-perfect to extreme rain or heat. Graduates and guests are advised to dress comfortably and be prepared for the weather. If it is raining you may want to bring umbrellas, appropriate rain gear, and a covering for your chair. Bring sunblock and hats for sunny conditions. Wear shoes appropriate for grassy areas.
When should guests plan on arriving?
Family and guests are encouraged to arrive before 9:45 a.m. to better ensure a parking space and seating. However, no guests will be permitted to enter the actual ceremony site before 8:30 a.m.
Is there reserved seating for Commencement?
No. Seats are reserved only for the graduates and special commencement guests.
Are there any special arrangements needed for guests with physical disabilities?
The College has made arrangements to have the ceremony interpreted in sign for the hearing impaired. There will be a designated seating section to accommodate disabled guests. Requests for disabled seating tickets and parking permits can be made to the Registrar's office by the graduating senior starting Wednesday, May 6. A limit of one disabled parking permit and two disabled seating tickets per graduate will be issued. As guests enter the campus, please be prepared to show your disabled parking permit to the security guard, who will direct you to the appropriate parking area. The Mid-Rise, Dyson, and Fontaine lots are reserved for vehicles with handicapped license plates, handicapped parking placards issued by a municipality, or special parking permits issued by the Registrar's office. Guests with handicapped permits should enter at the main or north entrances. There is no access to the handicapped parking areas from the south entrance.
Is indoor seating available in the event of rain or extreme heat?
In addition to the outdoor seating area, the College has arranged for a special live feed of the ceremony to be broadcast in the Nelly Goletti Theatre, Performing Arts Room, Cabaret, and Main Dining Hall (all located in the Student Center) as well as the McCann Center. All of these locations offer air-conditioned venues for guests who prefer to be out of the "elements."
What about parking?
Family and guests are encouraged to arrive before 9:45 a.m. to better ensure a parking space. Vehicular access to the campus will become increasingly difficult as the parking lots fill. The south entrance of the campus will be the first to close. The Lower West Cedar, Upper West Cedar, and Fulton Street lots and the Saint Francis Hospital parking garage (with shuttle service) will be available for guest parking.
What happens if it rains?
Unless weather conditions are severe, Commencement will take place rain or shine on the Campus Green. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony may be delayed from its scheduled start if clearing is anticipated within a reasonable period. Announcement of a delayed ceremony will be made by 10:30 a.m. Commencement morning. If it is determined due to severe weather that we must utilize the severe weather contingency plan, it will be announced as early as possible on Saturday, May 23. Please check www.marist.edu for updates or call the Weather Hotline (845) 575-5500.
What happens in the event of severe weather?
If severe weather is forecast, announcements will made as early as possible on Commencement day on the Marist College web site (www.marist.edu) and the Marist Weather Hotline, (845) 575-5500. Please check these sources before traveling to campus. If the ceremony is moved inside, only guests with severe weather tickets will be admitted to view the ceremony in the McCann Center or at any of the video live-feed locations. Please note that seating is first-come, first-served for ticket holders. Once the McCann Center has filled, ticket-holders will be directed to a live-feed location. It is the graduate's responsibility to distribute these two tickets to his or her guests prior to the ceremony.
Will I be able to take pictures during the ceremony?
The College has hired Island Photography to photograph all graduates as they shakes hands with President Dennis Murray. Proofs and order forms will be mailed to the student's permanent address during the summer. As a courtesy to the graduates and all in attendance, we ask that you remain in your seats during the Commencement exercises. Our staff is instructed to restrict access to the platform and the graduates' seating area. Guests will not be able to walk or stand in the aisles to take photographs or videotape. There will be, however, a designated area for family to take pictures following the ceremony. The Commencement program, which you will receive on Commencement day, will show this location. Please be considerate of the families around you.
Will a DVD of the Commencement ceremony be available?
We are pleased to announce that Marist College's 63rd Commencement will be available on DVD. This edited program will feature both undergraduate and graduate Commencement ceremonies including the academic procession, candid shots of graduates, and more. It may or may not include shots of individual students receiving their diplomas. To order, please send a check or money order for $30.00 to the Marist College Media Center, 3399 North Road, LT 203, Poughkeepsie, New York, 12601 along with your name, address, and graduate's name. Please allow six weeks for delivery. Any questions can be directed to (845) 575-3635.
Are there additional campus weekend activities?
Various campus organizations conduct special celebrations with students, families, and friends. Students will receive separate invitations, with reservations required, for these events.
What if my guests need overnight accommodations?
For those guests who will need overnight accommodations, a list of local hotels/bed and breakfasts/motels, as well as an area restaurant listing, is available on our Commencement web site at www.marist.edu/registrar/commencement.
Is there a lost-and-found on campus?
Lost items will be turned in at the Security Office in Donnelly Hall. Inquiries about lost articles can be made in person or by calling (845) 575-3000, ext. 2282.
Is medical assistance available?
In the event of a medical emergency, please see medical personnel located near the Champagnat Mall. The Commencement program, which you will receive on Commencement day, will show this location.
When do the residence halls close?
All residence halls will close at 5:00 p.m. Commencement day, Saturday, May 23.
