Important Details for Saturday, May 20, Graduate Hooding and Commencement Events

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. Additional questions can be shared to commencement@ithaca.edu.

Ceremony Confirmation and Participation Information May 20, 2023 • 1:00 p.m.

Our current records show that you have submitted an RSVP to attend the 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 have your Marching Order GradPass QR code with you and readily available, either as a printout (recommended) or on your charged phone. (Watch for an email—coming soon—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 if you do 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. You are strongly encouraged not to bring any type of personal bag (unless required for carrying personal medication). 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.  

Additional Information

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

Parking  

  • 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 M-Lot west, as that area will be 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  

Graduate Picture Information  
Ithaca College has partnered with a local vendor, Island Photography, to provide comprehensive coverage of this year’s Graduate Hooding and Commencement ceremonies. You will have two picture opportunities taken during the ceremony. The first photo opportunity will be taken when you are on stage being hooded. The second photo opportunity will be a posed picture following your exit of the stage. 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.  

Programs 
This year we will be offering our Graduate Hooding and Commencement program in a variety of ways. Professionally printed copies of the program will be available for sale in the A&E Center the day of Graduate Hooding and Commencement. In addition, the program will also be available to download and print at no charge through the Commencement website.  
 
Family and Friends  

  • 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 opens to guests one hour prior to the ceremony start time.
  • 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, and you will receive additional instructions when you register for accessible parking.
  • Once guests enter the A&E Center, they will be expected to remain inside until the conclusion of the ceremony. There is no re-entry if they do need to leave.
  • 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.
  • Flowers will be available for sale at the Graduate Hooding and Commencement ceremony.
  • Concessions will be available on-site, and we will also be offering a Campus Store "pop-up" stand that will have IC branded gear available for purchase.  
  • The Graduate Hooding and Commencement ceremony will also be livestreamed. 

Campus Food Service Options and Hours   
Campus retail food service venues will be open on Saturday on a limited basis. All campus retail requires purchasing through GrubHub, either using the app or via a kiosk at the venue.   
Ithaca Bakery | 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.   
Towers Marketplace | 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (retail only, no meal swipes)

Join Us for the Commencement Eve Concert and Fireworks
Saturday, May 20, 2023 – 8:30 p.m.
Plan to join us for the Commencement Eve Concert and Fireworks on Saturday, May 20, at 8:30 p.m. This annual IC tradition will be held in the A&E Center’s Glazer Arena.  

Thank you for your continued cooperation. We are looking forward to celebrating your achievement!  

Sincerely,  
The 2023 Commencement Committee