While Commencement 2021 will look different from previous years, one constant is the importance on volunteer help to stage this celebration of graduates’ accomplishments.
Due to health regulations that cap attendance figures, the current plan is for eight graduation ceremonies (see below), with one on Friday, four on Saturday and three on Sunday. These will unfold with distancing and masking in the Marano Campus Center arena and last up to one hour each, providing time to clean and air out the space between ceremonies. Each graduate is allowed up to two guests to support their accomplishments in person.
All graduates and their guests must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to Commencement and provide proof of vaccination OR complete a COVID-19 diagnostic (PCR) test within 72 hours of Commencement, and provide proof of the negative test, to gain access to the ceremony. See the Guests Information webpage for important guest guidelines and requirements.
Providing ushering and other guest services, volunteers will provide guidance and support for graduates to ensure the ceremony runs smoothly, efficiently and joyfully.
Ceremony dates and times are:
- Friday, May 14 at 7 p.m. (volunteers arrive by 5:30 p.m.)
- Saturday, May 15 at 9 a.m. (arrive by 7:30 a.m.)
- Saturday, May 15 at noon (arrive by 10:30 a.m.)
- Saturday, May 15 at 3 p.m. (arrive by 1:30 p.m.)
- Saturday, May 15 at 7 p.m. (arrive by 5:30 p.m.)
- Sunday, May 16 at 9 a.m. (arrive by 7:30 a.m.)
- Sunday, May 16 at noon (arrive by 10:30 a.m.)
- Sunday, May 16 at 3 p.m. (arrive by 1:30 p.m.)
Note that all volunteers must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to Commencement and provide proof of vaccination OR complete a COVID-19 diagnostic (PCR) test within 72 hours of their Commencement ceremony and provide proof of a negative test in order to participate. (On-campus saliva testing is a diagnostic test.)
If you’re interested in volunteering for one or more ceremonies, please complete this Commencement volunteer form. Please respond by Tuesday, May 4.
If you have questions, please feel free to email Public Ceremonies Committee member Tim Nekritz, tim.nekritz@oswego.edu.