Graduation 2020
Welcome to SUNY Ulster's 56th Commencement
Program
PDF only | HTML/Text only
(please use the Zoom tool to enlarge the program)
May 16, 2020 Virtual Ceremony
Our Virtual Commencement will be prerecorded and streamed for graduating students and guests. It can be viewed from any remote location at 10 a.m. from SUNY Ulster’s YouTube Channel and through a Facebook Watch Party where students and other viewers are invited to post congratulatory comments and send emojis. After Commencement, the video will be available for viewing here.
Graduating students and those who wish to celebrate the graduating students are also invited to place one of three Facebook frames on their profile picture by choosing to edit their profile picture and searching for SUNY Ulster in the frames section that appears. After the live event, a video of this commencement will be accessible on the YouTube Channel.
SUNY Ulster celebrates the degree and certificate completions of the class of 2020
2020 Commencement Statement
SUNY Ulster will be moving our celebratory Commencement ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2020, to a virtual ceremony that will recognize the SUNY Ulster class of 2020. We take this step out of an abundance of caution, as we keep everyone’s health and safety as our top concerns during the COVID-19 crisis.
Our Board of Trustees, faculty and staff are so proud of your hard work, perseverance and determination, which deserve to be celebrated by you and your loved ones.
Additional details regarding the virtual ceremony will be forthcoming via SUNY Ulster email and our Portal.
SUNY Ulster diplomas and certificates will be distributed directly to qualified students once the Registrar's Office confirms that all course requirements for graduation have been met.
I also would like to extend the opportunity for the class of 2020 graduates to join the SUNY Ulster class of 2021 in crossing the stage during our formal Commencement exercises scheduled for May 2021.
Dr. Alan P. Roberts
SUNY Ulster, President
Virtual Commencement Ceremony
As we navigate these unprecedented times, we remain committed to recognizing and honoring the success of our graduates.
SUNY Ulster is hosting a virtual commencement ceremony for our graduates on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 10 a.m. Additional details for streaming the ceremony will be shared publicly in the coming weeks.
The virtual ceremony will feature pre-recorded formal remarks, congratulatory greetings and conferral of degrees and certificates for candidates who have satisfied preliminary requirements, as well as reading aloud the names and honors of each participating graduate. Graduation candidates will have an opportunity to upload a photo to accompany their personalized digital slide. Additionally, by the end of August 2020 SUNY Ulster diplomas, certificates and a commemorative program will be distributed directly to qualified students once the Registrar's Office confirms that all course requirements for graduation have been met.
All students eligible to participate have been sent a communication via their SUNY Ulster email account and will need to confirm participation in the virtual commencement ceremony by Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Although we are not able to gather in person as we had originally planned, we believe we can still honor and celebrate our graduates in a meaningful way through this virtual ceremony. Congratulations to all!
SUNY Ulster Virtual Commencement Ceremony FAQs
- What is a virtual commencement?
- Do I need to register to participate in the virtual commencement?
- Will my name be read at virtual commencement?
- Will I still receive my cap and gown I previously ordered from the SUNY Ulster bookstore or online from Herff-Jones?
- Do I need a cap and gown to participate in the virtual ceremony?
- Will I get a refund from Herff-Jones for any items I may have added to my regalia order that I have already paid for?
- Can I still order regalia or a tassel as a commemorative keepsake?
- What are the important deadlines I should be aware of?
- Is the in-person ceremony canceled?
- Will I still graduate if I decide not to participate in the virtual ceremony?
- How will I get my diploma?
- I have a graduation question, who do I contact?
What is a virtual commencement?
A Virtual Commencement allows graduates, family, and friends to recognize and celebrate
the accomplishments of the Class of 2020. While we are saddened that we are unable to partake in our traditional Commencement
exercises in person, we take this step out of an abundance of caution, as we keep
everyone’s health and safety as our top concerns during the COVID-19 crisis. SUNY
Ulster is working diligently to put together a virtual experience to mark this special occasion.
Do I need to register to participate in the virtual commencement?
Yes, you will need to register to participate in SUNY Ulster’s Virtual Commencement
Ceremony. This permits graduates to upload their photos for display as their names
are read. If you have applied for graduation and are eligible, look for your invitation
to register in your SUNY Ulster email.
Will my name be read at virtual commencement?
Yes, your name will be read, just as if you were walking across a physical stage.
As your name is read, a personalized slide will be displayed with your name, honors
and photo.
Will I still receive my cap and gown I previously ordered from the SUNY Ulster bookstore or online from Herff-Jones?
Regalia that was ordered and paid for online will be shipped to you directly by Herff-Jones
at no cost.
Do I need a cap and gown to participate in the virtual ceremony?
No, you do not need a cap and gown to participate in the virtual ceremony.
Will I get a refund from Herff-Jones for any items I may have added to my regalia order that I have already paid for?
Herff-Jones will be contacting students who have placed orders directly regarding
refund opportunities and processes as an option.
Can I still order regalia or a tassel as a commemorative keepsake?
A link will be added here soon for students to place orders for regalia and/or tassels
if students have not already done so.
What are the important deadlines I should be aware of?
If you wish to participate in virtual commencement, you will need to register by Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Instructions have been sent to your SUNY Ulster email.
Is the in-person ceremony canceled?
Yes. Based on guidance from CDC and others, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the in-person ceremony. We are committed to honoring and celebrating your achievements in a meaningful way through our virtual commencement. Dr. Alan Roberts, SUNY Ulster President has also extended the opportunity for the class of 2020 graduates to join the SUNY Ulster class of 2021 in crossing the stage during our formal Commencement exercises scheduled for May 2021.
Will I still graduate if I decide not to participate in the virtual ceremony?
Graduation is not dependent on the ceremony. To graduate and have your degree and/or certificate conferred, all requirements must be completed. SUNY Ulster diplomas and certificates will be distributed 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 diplomas and certificates will be distributed directly to qualified students once the Registrar's Office confirms that all course requirements for graduation have been met. An official diploma, diploma cover and commemorative program will be mailed to the mailing address on your SUNY Ulster account by August 2020.
I have a graduation question, who do I contact?
Please direct all virtual ceremony related questions to graduation@sunyulster.edu
