Messages and Updates

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.

May 18, 2024 • 1:00 p.m.
Our current records show that you have submitted an RSVP to attend Graduate Hooding and Commencement. Please follow the instructions below:
• Entry for graduates will be available through the east, west, and south sides of the A&E Center. Upon entry, please make your way to the Arena floor, where you will line up by school and then by major. Line up for the procession begins at 12:15 p.m.
• In order to check in for your graduation ceremony you’ll need to have your Marching Order GradPass QR code with you and readily available; please print out your pass and have it on your charged phone as a back-up. You will need to show it again when you go up to the stage during the ceremony. (You should have received an email on April 24 with instructions on how to access your GradPass!)
• 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.
• Please remember that, once you enter the A&E Center, you will be expected to remain inside until the conclusion of the ceremony, which is expected to last approximately 1.5 hours. There is no re-entry to the A&E Center if you need to leave for any reason.
• To further facilitate the entry process, please wear your graduation regalia and bring your hood to the A&E Center. (Regalia—cap and gown—is REQUIRED for entrance to the A&E Center for Graduate Hooding and Commencement.) Watch this video to learn how to properly fold, carry, and wear your hood.
• No personal bags (unless required for carrying personal medication) are permitted. You may bring an empty water bottle or sealed commercial water bottle; however, other drinks and snacks are not permitted. Concessions will be available.
• Professional photos will be taken while you are crossing the stage and after you exit the stage. (More information below.)
• If you are posting photos to Instagram or other social media on the day of the event, be sure to use the hashtag #ICGrads.
 

If you opted to have your cap, gown, and hood order sent to the College Store, distribution days will start May 6 and run until May 17. Pick-up will be available during the normal operating hours of the Campus Store. Please have your student ID with you and note that you can only pick up your own order; you may not pick up regalia for another student. In addition, the College Store will have regalia available for purchase in the store starting May 1.

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

A casual reception with light refreshments will take place directly after the conclusion of the ceremony in 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. When you are on stage, a professional photographer will take a candid image while you are being hooded. As you exit the stage, ushers at the bottom of the ramp will guide you to take a second, posed professional photograph. These photos will be made available for purchase within two weeks following the ceremony with instructions provided in an email sent directly to your Ithaca College address.

This year we will be offering our Graduate Hooding and Commencement program in a variety of ways.
• You will find a professionally printed version of the program at your seat in the arena.
• All guests will receive a printed version of the order of events for the ceremony that includes a QR code and link to access the full program online.
• Guests may also purchase a full copy of the program in the A&E Center the day of Commencement. The cost is $5 plus tax per program and purchases are by credit card only. 
• In addition, the full program will be available to download and print at no charge through the Commencement website.

Every year we ask our graduates to complete the First Destination Survey to share their post-graduation plans. The information we receive helps our campus enhance experiences and curriculum that benefit our students. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete and, as of 2024, it is a graduation requirement. (You will not receive your diploma until you have completed your survey!)

Not sure what you’re doing yet? It’s okay to tell us that and go back later to update your survey once your plans are in place. Complete the survey today!

• Due to the nature of the graduate hooding, all family and friends of graduate students are cordially invited to attend the ceremony. No tickets are needed.
• Your family and friends should plan to be in their seats no later than 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. The A&E Center will open to guests one hour prior to the ceremony start time. Guests will be required to pass through a security screening checkpoint to have all their bags checked before entering the A&E Center. No guest reentry will be permitted to the building.
• Guests are strongly encouraged not to bring any type of personal bag, but if needed they may carry a bag that does not exceed 12” x 6” x 12.” In addition, small clutch bags (5" x 7" or smaller) with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the A&E Center. 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: purses larger than what is outlined above, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size. More details for guests can be found on the Security page of the Commencement website.
• The south and west entrances of the A&E Center will be available for guest use. Accessible drop-off and entry are available through the east entrance.
• Flowers will be available for sale at the Graduate Hooding and Commencement ceremony. (The College Store will also be open in Phillips Hall on both Saturday and Sunday.)
• Concessions will be available for purchase on-site.
• The Graduate Hooding and Commencement ceremony will also be livestreamed.

• 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, timed spaces, accessible spaces and other reserved spaces and lots will be enforced, as they would be during the academic year.
• 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 Lot M West, as that lot is fully reserved for accessible parking. 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, please utilize the M-Lot adjacent to the A&E Center.
• Further questions may be directed to the Office of Public Safety at (607) 274-3756.

The Ithaca Bakery retail food service venue located in the Campus Center will be open on Saturday, May 18, from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 19, from 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. On Saturday, May 18, the Towers Eatery and Social will also be open from 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Please remember that campus retail food service requires purchasing through GrubHub, either using the app or via a kiosk at the venue.