Fall Commencement

Thursday, December 19, 2019
6:00 p.m. / McVean Student Center Gymnasium

Keynote Speaker:  The Honorable Kim Martusewicz '72, Judge - Jefferson County Court, Distinguished Alumni
Student Speaker:  Savanna Baker, President - Student Government

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! Your commencement is a special time for you and your family.  Please review the information below to ensure you complete the steps required and know all the details of your big day!  We've also include some FAQs for you and your guests.

1) Complete the Application for Degree/Certificate
All potential December graduates are required to submit an Application for Degree/Certificate to Enrollment Services, Jules Center, building 6, suite 6-010 by December 1, 2019. If you have any questions about the application or graduation requirements, please email studentrecords@sunyjefferson.edu, call (315) 786-2437 or stop in to suite 6-010.

2) Pick up your cap, gown and tickets
NOTE: Date Change - No need to pre-order, just be sure to pick up your cap and gown in the JCC Bookstore between November 25 and December 13, 2019.  Your regalia includes the cap, gown, hood, and tassel specific to your program of study. It will also include any special honors you received from the college, such as Phi Theta Kappa and Honors Program stoles, as well as military cords for active duty soldiers and veterans.  The cost of your cap and gown is included in your student life fee.

Tickets:   If you are participating in the Commencement Ceremony, you can receive up to four (4) guest tickets for McVean Student Center Gymnasium seating when picking up your regalia from the Bookstore. 

Guests without a ticket are welcome to view the ceremony live via closed circuit telecast in the Jules Center Amphitheater (Room 6-002).  We also live video stream the College's Commencement exercises via www.sunyjefferson.edu.

Note: Children attending the ceremony must have a ticket and be accompanied by an adult. Strollers are not permitted in the McVean Gymnasium.

3) Reserve seating for special accommodations
We are happy to reserve seats for your guests who need special accommodations (i.e. difficulty with stairs or bleachers, use of wheelchair or walkers).  Graduates must stop in the JCC Bookstore to complete an accommodative needs seating request form.  It is important that the form is completed and submitted prior by December 12 so that the College may easily accommodate all requests.

4) Sign up for free childcare
Jefferson Campus Care will provide free childcare during the Commencement Ceremony and reception (5:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) for children of both graduates and their guests. Children must be aged 18 months – 12 years old. Please contact Jefferson Campus Care at (315) 786-2357 by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2019 to register. Note: walk-ins will not be permitted.

5) Attend Commencement Rehearsal on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019
A brief commencement rehearsal will take place at 12:30 p.m. (just after Senior Send-off taking place from 11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.).  Please meet Faculty Marshals in the McVean Student Center gymnasium at 12:30 p.m. so we can practice the ceremony and answer any questions you may have.

6) Enjoy a free lunch at Senior Send-Off on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019
Senior Send-Off, a free luncheon for graduates with music and prizes, begins at 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the Jules Center Commons (note the location change from the Student Lounge).

Your Big Day – when/where to arrive for Commencement

Students:  Please report to the Sturtz Theater Lobby at 5:30 p.m. robed and ready to line-up.  Staff will be  on hand to assist with caps and gowns.  Faculty Marshals will be available at 5:30 p.m. to assist you with proper line-up.

Guests:  Your guests may park in Lots C and D and enter at the main McVean Gymnasium entrance.   The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Handicapped /special needs guests may also disembark at this entrance. Guest tickets (for adults and children) must be presented to enter the gymnasium.

After the ceremony, join your family, faculty and staff at a reception in your honor in the Jules Center Commons. Light refreshments will be served.

The JCC Bookstore (in the Jules Center) will be open on the evening of commencement from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Other important details

Photographs
A professional photographer will be at Commencement to photograph you as you walk across the stage.  Proofs of the photos will be available online (www.geneseephoto.com) and mailed to you so you can place an order if you so choose.  You are under no obligation to purchase photos taken at Commencement.  After the ceremony, Genesee Photo Systems can be reached by calling 1-800-345-7427.

Photo Room:  We have an official photo room for you to take photos with family and friends after the ceremony. Located in the Walker Instructional Dining Room, directly across from the Bookstore, we will have staff on hand to help by taking the pictures for you.

Live webcast of the ceremony
Jefferson will video stream the College's Commencement exercises via www.sunyjefferson.edu. The link will be available about 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony.

Commencement Video/DVD
A video of the ceremony will be available in segments for free on YouTube (search for SUNY Jefferson channel). A DVD of the Commencement Ceremony will also be available for purchase ($10) by calling the Bookstore at (315) 786-2260.

Diplomas
Only diploma covers will be handed out at Commencement. Diplomas are mailed mid–January following a graduation audit of your records.

Leave your mark on campus
Graduates can leave their mark on campus by leaving a unique gift of an engraved paver on the Quad. Engraved pavers will be placed at the center of Jefferson's campus, in the area surrounding the Haas Clocktower, where it will be enjoyed for years to come by our students and their families, faculty and community members. Your gift will also help the Jefferson Foundation continue its mission of supporting student scholarships and campus initiatives. For more information, contact the Jefferson Foundation at (315) 786-2291.