Information for Families and Guests

General Seating

Admittance to the outdoor ceremony is by general admission; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Graduates are allowed up to six guests each. No saving of seats is allowed. All guests are asked to follow the directives of ushers and security staff. All persons must stay within the roped areas to allow the best visibility for everyone. Please do not block the view of others by standing on chairs or in the aisles.

Parking Information

Family and guests are encouraged to arrive early to ensure a parking space. Parking will be available on the east and west campuses. Lots reserved for handicapped parking are for vehicles with handicapped license plates or placards issued by a municipality, or guests with a disabled parking pass. Guests with handicapped permits should enter the north entrance only and be prepared to show their permits to the security guard, who will direct them to the appropriate parking area. There is no access to handicapped parking from the south entrance.

For a complete list of parking sites and instructions, please see the campus map.

Disabled Guests

There will be a designated seating section to accommodate disabled guests. Graduating students may request up to two disabled seating tickets and one disabled parking permit in the Registrar’s office beginning Wednesday, May 3. The ceremony will be interpreted in sign language for the hearing impaired. For information on handicapped parking, please see Parking Information, above.

Arrival at Commencement

Family and guests of graduate and adult undergraduate students are encouraged to arrive prior to 5:30 p.m. on Friday. However, no guests will be permitted to enter the actual ceremony site before 5:00 p.m. The ceremony is expected to last approximately 90 minutes.

Family and guests of undergraduate students are encouraged to arrive prior to 9:45 a.m. However, no guests will be permitted to enter the actual ceremony site before 8:30 a.m. The ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours.

Immediately following each ceremony, all graduates and their guests are invited to a reception on the Saint Peter’s Meadow.

Seating Map

The map below designates the seating locations for graduates.

Bookstore

Located in the rotunda, the bookstore hours are:

• Friday, May 19: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 20: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Photography

Professional photographers from Island Photography (www.islandphoto.com) will photograph all graduates as they both cross and exit the stage. To receive proofs online, please provide an email address on the back of your lineup card, and you will be notified when they are available for viewing. Graduates will receive two complimentary proofs and an order form by mail.

Due to the large number of people attending Commencement, it is necessary 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 video. However, there will be designated areas for families to take pictures following the ceremony. The commencement program, which you will receive on commencement day, will show these locations.

Flowers

The deadline to pre-order flowers was May 10. Flowers will be available for purchase at the flower tent on Friday evening and Saturday morning on a first come, first served basis until the florist’s supply is gone. Cash or credit card accepted.

Pre-ordered flowers must be picked up on campus for the Graduate & Adult Ceremony on Friday, May 19, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. OR for the Undergraduate Ceremony on Saturday, May 20, between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Pick-up will be under a tent on the quad next to Marian Hall.

Area Accommodations

For a variety of options to local Hudson Valley hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants, please click on the links.

Prohibited Items

As part of an ongoing effort to ensure a safe and enjoyable event, the following items are prohibited from Commencement ceremonies:

• Air horns, balls, balloons, laser pointers, noise makers, inflatables, alcohol.
• Firearms, explosives, fireworks, sparklers
• Pets

Strollers and wheelchairs are permitted but cannot be parked in the aisle.

Marist Commencements are alcohol and drug-free environments.