Commencement 2013

Welcome to the newly renovated Commencement Planning website. This should be your "go-to" for information on planning and events and ceremonies for Commencement 2013! Dates and times for all Commecement Weekend 2013 have been added to the website as well as a number of informational/checklist items to help you prepare for your Commencement. If your family or friends will be needing hotel rooms - make them soon!

We have also added the Commencement Planning Brochure and the Commencement Hooding Form!

If at anytime you have questions, please feel free to reach out to either of us!

Sharon Huard
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
huards@upstate.edu
(315) 464-8855

Chuck Simpson
Director of Campus Activities and Special Projects
simpsonc@upstate.edu
(315) 464-5618

Cap & Gown Pick Up
Thursday, May 16 & Friday, May 17; 10:00am - 5:00pm
Room 115, Campus Activities Building

Pre-Commencement Dessert Reception
Saturday, May 18; 8:00pm - 11:00pm
Tiffany Ballroom, Genesee Grande Hotel
Desserts, cash bar and live muic. Come by after dinner and socialize with family, friends and fellow graduates.

College of Medicine Commencement
Sunday, May 19; 9:00am
Crouse Hinds Theater, John H. Mulroy Civic Center @ Oncenter
Doors will open at 8:00am. Students will line up at 8:15am in the Civic Center Banner Room. Reception immediately following the ceremony at the Campus Activities Building Lobby.

College of Graduate Studies Commencement
Sunday, May 19; Noon
Medical Alumni Auditorium, Weiskotten Hall, Upstate Medical University Campus
Doors will open at 11:30am. Reception immediately following in the main lobby of Weiskotten Hall.

College of Nursing Commencement
Sunday, May 19; 1:00pm
Crouse Hinds Theater, John H. Mulroy Civic Center @ Oncenter
Doors will open at 12:30pm. Students will line up at 12:30pm in the Civic Center Banner Room. Reception immediately following the ceremony at the Campus Activities Building Lobby.

College of Health Professions Commencement
Sunday, May 19; 3:00pm
Crouse Hinds Theater, John H. Mulroy Civic Center @ Oncenter
Doors will open at 2:30pm. Students will line up at 2:30pm in the Civic Center Banner Room. Reception immediately following the ceremony at the Campus Activities Building Lobby.

Special Needs and Directions & Parking:
The John H. Mulroy Civic Center @ Oncenter is handicap accessible. If is recommended that individuals using wheelchairs arrive early. If needed, we will be happy to make arrangements to have a sign language interpreter at the ceremonies. If you expect to have guests who are hearing impaired attend the festivities, please contact the Office of Student Support Services at (315) 464-8855 or the Office of Campus Activities at (315) 464-5618 by April 1, 2013.

Please note that all directions and parking information may be obtained by clicking on the facility links above.

• Reserve Hotel Rooms
This is a busy time of year in Syracuse. If your friends and family will be needing hotel rooms, please make them asap! To assist in your planning, we've provided a short list of accommodations. The following properties are close to the Upstate campus and the John H. Mulry Civic Center: The Genesee Grande Hotel; The Parkview Hotel; The Crowne Plaza Syracuse; Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center and the Jefferson Clinton Hotel. Additional properties may be found on the Syracuse tripadvisor website or on the Syracuse Convention and Visitor's Bureau website.

• Order Your Cap and Gown
Order your academic attire online at the Herff Jones Regalia Online Order website. The site will be open from Friday, February 15, 2013 - Friday, March 23, 2013. Find “SUNY Upstate Medical University” in the school drop-down menu and click “continue”. If you have questions please contact the Upstate Medical University Bookstore by phone at (315) 464-5560 or by e-mail. Please note that there is no charge for student academic attire if ordered before the deadline. If attire is ordered after Friday, March 23, 2013, a late fee will be charged!

• Hooding Process
Students receiving advanced degrees will be “hooded” at their commencement ceremony. Typically, students are hooded by their faculty advisor or the faculty marshal of their college. However, doctoral (MD, Ph.D., DPT) candidates may invite a member of their immediate family to participate in the hooding if the family member holds the same degree. Students wishing to have a family member hood them must submit the Commencement Hooding Form and be approved by the Office of Student Support Services. Academic attire must be worn by the participating family member and the rental fee is $77 + tax. Attire must be ordered through the Upstate Bookstore, contact the bookstore by phone at (315) 464-5560 or by email. Deadline is March 22, 2013. No late requests/orders will be accepted.

• Announcements, Class Rings and Diploma Frames
Personalized graduation announcement products can be ordered directly from Balfour. Order by phone: 1-877-BALFOUR (255-3687) or on the Balfour website. Diploma frames & class rings are available to purchase in the Upstate Medical University Bookstore, CAB Lobby. If you have any questions about these items, please contact the staff in the bookstore.

• Special Needs
The John H. Mulroy Civic Center is handicap accessible. It is recommended that individuals using wheelchairs arrive early. If needed, we will be happy to make arrangements to have a sign language interpreter at the ceremonies. If you expect to have guests who are hearing impaired attend the festivities, please contact the Office of Student Support Services at (315) 464-8855 by April 1, 2013.

• Diplomas
The Registrar’s Office orders diplomas for all graduates. Please complete the Commencement Information Form through My Upstate to indicate how you want your name on your diploma and to where it should be mailed. If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (315) 464-4604 or by email.

• Photographs
WMF photography will take pictures of graduates during the Commencement ceremonies and will be available for group/family photos at the graduation receptions held at the CAB. Afterwards family members will be able to VIEW and ORDER pictures online. WMF photography may be reached by phone at (315) 546-0275 or on the WMF Photography website.