Graduation 2026

Ceremony Guidelines

ACCESSIBILITY & CONCERNS:  There will be parking and seating for guests with wheelchairs, walkers, physical limitations, etc. Please let Kate Lukasavage in Accessibility Services (disability_services@sunyulster.edu) know if anyone in your group attending needs handicapped seating or parking accommodations, prior to May 16th.  Public Safety will be present to direct individuals to reserved parking.

BAG CHECK: To ensure the comfort and safety of our graduates and their guests, large bags, purses and backpacks will not be permitted and guests will be asked to leave these in their vehicles.  Purses and diaper bags will be allowed after they have been checked.

REFRESHMENTS FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY: There will be light refreshments following the ceremony in the Student Life Center Dining Hall located in Vanderlyn Hall.  All students, staff, faculty and family members are invited to attend.

PARKING: All student and staff lots will be open to everyone on a "first-come, first-served" basis.  

STROLLER PARKING: Strollers will be searched by Public Safety officers at the bag-check station, and then can be parked in the designated area inside of the lobby of the Senate Gym.

NO SMOKING OR TOBACCO: Any use of tobacco products is prohibited on SUNY Ulster property.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

When and where is Commencement?

Commencement will take place in the Senate Gymnasium on Saturday, May 16th, at 10:00 a.m.

How do I secure guest tickets for commencement?

An electronic ticketing system platform is being used to reserve guest tickets.  Each graduate will be allowed up to six guests for the 2026 Commencement Ceremony.  Tickets can be reserved by clicking on the link below.

Graduating students do not need to reserve a ticket for themselves. We ask that ONLY graduating students reserve the tickets for their attendees.

As the graduating student, it is your responsibility to provide the e-tickets with QR codes to your guests and to make any changes.

Can I take photos on campus or with President Buckley on the day of commencement?

There will be a professional photographer taking photos of each graduate as their name is called to cross the stage.  Those photos will be available for purchase online a few weeks after the ceremony.  

Graduates and their families are more than welcome to take photos around campus prior to or after the commencement ceremony.  

I can’t attend the commencement ceremony.  Will my name be read?  Will my name appear in the program?

Graduates who do not attend the commencement ceremony will have their names appear in the program.  They will not be read live at the commencement ceremony.

Will I still graduate if I decide not to participate in the commencement ceremony?

Graduation is not dependent on participation in the ceremony.  To graduate and have your degree and/or certificate conferred, all academic requirements must be completed.  SUNY Ulster diplomas and certificates will be mailed directly to qualified students once the Registrar’s Office confirms that all course requirements for graduation have been met.

How will I get my diploma?

SUNY Ulster graduates will be notified via their my.sunyulster.edu email address when their diplomas are ready.  Graduates will have the choice to come to the Stone Ridge Campus to pick up their diploma or have it mailed to the address they have in their SUNY Ulster account.

How do I know if I am eligible to graduate with Honors or High Honors?

To be graduated with High Honors, students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher. A notation of “W High Honors” will then appear on the student’s transcript.  To be graduated with Honors, students must have a cumulative grade point average between 3.3 and 3.74. A notation of “W Honors” will then appear on the student’s transcript.  Honors and High Honors will be confirmed at the Bookstore when paying/picking up your regalia.