Guidelines for COVID-19

Participating in Commencement

By now all candidates should have submitted a completed Application for Graduation form to the Registrar’s office. Forms are available at the commencement website: www.marist.edu/commencement. The information provided on the form will be used to order your diploma and for the commencement program.

Required Documentation

Proof of Negative Status for COVID-19 is Required to Attend Commencement. According to New York State guidelines, only attendees with proof of a negative diagnostic test or proof of immunization, as required, may be allowed entry to the event.

Students: One of the following is required to participate in Commencement Exercises:

• Proof of having completed the COVID-19 vaccination series at least 14 days prior to the date of the event.
  • Please upload your vaccination information to marist.medicatconnect.com by Friday, May 14 at 5 pm! This is the fastest way to be cleared to participate in Commencement.
• Proof of a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 90 days and full recovery.
  • Students must upload documentation dated on or after February 26, 2021 of a lab-positive test or completed order of isolation to marist.medicatconnect.com by Friday, May 14 at 5 pm.
• A negative diagnostic test result for COVID-19 using a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or DOH authorized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or other nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs) of comparable analytical sensitivity performance that was performed on a specimen (e.g., swab) collected within 72 hours of the event.
  • Instructions for seeking PCR testing will be sent to graduates who have not uploaded proof of immunization to marist.medicatconnect.com by May 14 at 5 pm.
• A valid New York Excelsior Pass

Additional Clearance

In addition to receiving COVID clearance, students will be required to complete the daily health screening questionnaire using their Marist credentials.

The Day of the Ceremony

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on the morning of their Commencement day, graduates will report to registration tables along John Winslow Drive, between the Dyson Center and Foy Townhouses. Lines will form on either side of the road from Dyson to Fontaine. Students will need their line-up card and must be “cleared to come to campus” in order to participate in the ceremony. Clearance will require proof of negative COVID-19 status and completion of the daily health screening questionnaire. A Marist ID will be required to replace a lost line-up card.

Marist is planning a full academic procession into the ceremony site. After registering, graduates will proceed to the Lowell Thomas quad for line up. Students will line up alphabetically (in order of their line-up number) behind their school flag, six feet apart from other graduates.

Guest Attendance

Students must pre-register their two guests by noon on May 21. Participating graduates will receive a prompt on myMarist after log in. All guests will receive a confirmation email with additional instructions to complete a mandatory attestation following the end of registration on May 21. Guest registrations are not transferable.

New York State requires that all attendees meet one of the following requirements:

• Proof of having completed the COVID-19 vaccination series at least 14 days prior to the date of the event.
• Proof of a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 90 days and full recovery. 
• A negative diagnostic test result for COVID-19 using a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or DOH authorized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or other nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs) of comparable analytical sensitivity performance that was performed on a specimen (e.g., swab) collected within 72 hours of the event.

If any attendees do not meet one of the above criteria, New York State guidelines on commencement exercises dictate that they “must be denied entry to the event.” Please note, guests must attest to compliance and have copies of documentation available. Guests do not need to upload documentation prior to the event.