Commencement 2023 Information
Commencement 2023
Updated: February 14, 2023
Congratulations to the Class of 2023!
COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND 2023 Events:
University Commencement
Sunday, May 7, 2023
10:00am - Ceremony begins
8:30am - Graduates arrive for line-up
8:30am - Doors open for family and friends
SRC Arena & Events Center
4585 W Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215
The University Commencement Ceremony will recognize graduates from all four colleges at Upstate Medical University. Tickets will not be required for graduates or their guests. The ceremony is anticipated to 2.5 to 3 hours long and will be livestreamed for guests unable to attend in person. Parking will be free to all attendees.
Dean's Receptions - College Specific
Saturday, May 6, 2023
3:30-5:30pm: College of Health Professions and College of Nursing
7:30-9:30pm: College of Graduate Studies and Norton College of Medicine
Sheraton Syracuse University
801 University Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210
Held the afternoon or evening prior to Commencement, the college-specific Dean’s receptions are an opportunity for graduates, families and friends to gather and celebrate. The receptions will feature dean, student and alumni speakers, light refreshments and a cash bar. Additional information and an RSVP link will be forwarded to graduates in late spring. Parking will be free in the Sheraton garage, but is limited.
Commencement Regalia
Students will receive “keeper attire” consisting of a gown, hood (for masters and doctoral grads), cap – or tam for doctoral grads – and tassel which will be ordered online and shipped directly to you. Regalia is free of charge to students and orders will be available early in the spring semester. All students participating in the commencement ceremony must be in appropriate regalia. Commencement regalia may be ordered here.
Hooding
Students graduating with a doctoral degree may choose to be hooded by an immediate family member with the same degree or a faculty member with a teaching appointment. Requests must be made and approved in advance. Hooders must be in regalia, and there is an option for family hooders to purchase regalia through the regalia webpage. Students not being hooded by family members will be hooded by Upstate faculty. Please complete the Hooder Request Form emailed to all graduates and turn it in for approval by March 20, 2023.
Faculty Participation
Upstate faculty members are invited to celebrate the class of 2023 by attending Dean’s receptions and the commencement ceremony; tickets are not required for either of these events. Faculty are also welcome to formally participate in the Commencement ceremony, if you would like to participate in the faculty processional, we ask that you please email us (commencement@upstate.edu) to let us know so we have an accurate count of faculty participants. Those wishing to participate in the faculty processional must be in appropriate regalia attire based on their degree. If you do not already own your attire, faculty academic attire may be purchased through the Upstate faculty tab on the Josten’s website.
Translation Services
Sign language interpreters
The commencement ceremony will be live streamed, recorded and captioned. Graduates and guests may request a sign language interpreter by emailing commencement@upstate.edu. Please note: We ask that you submit your request by April 7, 2023 so that we have time to coordinate services.
Language translations
While we are unable to provide live translation services, we would like to suggest that family members in need of translation services consider using Google Translate, this is a free service that translates between English and over 100 languages.
COVID Guidelines
There are currently no COVID guidelines for any commencement events at this time.
This page will be updated throughout spring semester with any changes or additions.
Ryan Green
Director of Campus Activities
commencement@upstate.edu