March 19, 2021
Dear Seniors and MAT Students,
We are looking forward to celebrating the graduation of the incredible members of the Classes of 2021 on May 16. This has been a year unlike any other and the Classes of 2021 have approached it with integrity, facing the challenges thrown at us all with good will and resilience. The world you are entering is a changed one, but it is also a world that will be changed for the better by your entrepreneurial spirit and your dedication to community. We have confidence in the future because of you.
After conversations with students and in consultation with public health authorities and the State of New York, we intend to uphold our plans and our honored tradition by holding Commencement in person and outside on the Quad. Although the situation is subject to change pending State guidelines, it is our intention – rain or shine – to present each graduate with their diploma in front of Coxe Hall. It is also our intention to allow each student to register up to two guests to be on campus to join in this celebration. The current guidelines and protocols for large gatherings, combined with the capacity of our facilities, make it impossible for us to accommodate guests at the ceremony on the Quad, but guests will be able to watch the live stream at other sites on campus as well as to join their students before and after the ceremony in celebration. The Ceremony will be livestreamed via the Colleges' website so that other friends and family anywhere in the world can also watch live that day. Our Commencement speaker, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, and our other honorary degree recipients, as well as many members of our Board of Trustees, will attend in person to share in the day.
Although we are still working through details, we will be following COVID event protocols, including mandating the use of masks, social distancing and testing for attendees. More details will be shared in the next few weeks related to these protocols. Registration information will also be available soon.
The Office of Student Activities has been working with Class Presidents Carling Landeche '21 and Ty Yanko '21 to plan senior week activities and they will continue to share those plans and additional Commencement day details as the semester progresses. You can find some basic info on the Commencement website.
During these remaining weeks of your final semester, we are looking forward to multiple opportunities for celebrating your many successes and the impact you've had on this campus.
Sincerely,
Joyce P. Jacobsen
President
Mary Coffey
Provost and Dean of Faculty
Robb Flowers
Vice President for Student Affairs