Messages and Updates

Dear Graduates, 

Congratulations! As the big day approaches, we wanted to share some of the most important information you’ll need to make Graduate Hooding a memorable occasion for you, your friends, your family, and the entire college community. We encourage you to review the information below and save this message for future reference. Please be sure to visit Ithaca College’s Commencement website for the latest updates regarding Graduate Hooding. Additional questions can be shared to commencement@ithaca.edu. 
 
Fast-Approaching Deadline 
April 30, 5:00 p.m. | Deadline for Ordering Grad Regalia (Cap & Gown)  
Regalia can be purchased at this link and will be shipped directly to the graduate’s provided address. Please note that regalia is REQUIRED for entrance to the A&E Center for Graduate Hooding. 

Ceremony Confirmation and Participation Information – May 21, 2022 
Our current records show that you have submitted an RSVP to attend the 1:00 p.m. graduate hooding ceremony. Please follow the instructions below:  
• Have your Marching Order Grad Pass QR code with you and readily available, either on your charged phone or as a printout.    
• 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 Hall of Champions, where you will line up by school and then by major. Graduates must be in line no later than 12:45 p.m. 
• 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. 
• Names will be read towards the end of the ceremony. 
• 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. You may bring an empty water bottle or sealed commercial water bottle; however, other drinks and snacks are not permitted. 
• 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 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, there is a form to fill out on the Commencement website. This form must be completed by 4:30 p.m. on May 19 in order to receive an IC issued permit for the reserved lots.  
• Please remember that traffic will be much heavier than usual on Commencement Day, and you will need to prepare accordingly.  
• 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. 

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. Guests may bring an empty water bottle or sealed commercial water bottle; however, other drinks and snacks are not permitted. Coolers, alcohol, signs, noise makers, laser pointers, and weapons of any kind are also prohibited. 
• Flowers will be available for sale prior to the Commencement ceremony at a booth located just outside the west entrance to the A&E Center. Flowers may also be ordered prior to Commencement Weekend and picked up onsite before the ceremony begins. Advance orders can be placed here.  

Food Service Options and Hours 
Campus Center retail food service venues will be open on Sunday on a limited basis. All campus retail requires purchasing through GrubHub, either using the app or via a kiosk at the venue. 

Food Court                     11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
Ithaca Bakery                  8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 
Towers Marketplace      5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (retail only, no meal plan swipes) 

Public Health Protocols 
Lastly, while we have made great progress during the semester, COVID-19, as well as other communicable illnesses are still with us. We will therefore continue to follow college public health protocols in existence at the time of this event. In addition, we encourage individuals who plan to participate in Commencement, Graduate Hooding and other celebrations to make the intentional choice to practice good public health actions such as: 

• Utilizing face coverings, particularly in situations where adequate physical distancing cannot be maintained. 
• Good and frequent hand hygiene. 
• Strictly monitoring your health for potential symptoms of illness, seeking out immediate testing if you begin experiencing symptoms, and minimizing contact with others until your condition improves. 

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

Sincerely, 
The 2022 Commencement Committee