Commencement
Congratulations Class of 2023!
Congratulations to all of our graduates! The moment you have been working toward is finally here!
Commencement is a very special and important event in a student's life. It is also an occasion for families to come together in Alfred and share in their graduates' accomplishments. This year's ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 10 AM, in the Galanis Family Arena, McLane Center. A live stream will be available for those attending Commencement virtually.
Live Stream
Commencement 2022 Photo Gallery
To make sure your student is set to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, please check with them to make sure they’ve completed the required Apply to Graduate form through their BannerWeb account. They should also fill out the May 2023 Commencement Questionnaire on the Graduation Checklist.
Undergraduate students who have achieved academic excellence at the University wear a gold cord at graduation, indicating graduation cum laude, with praise, magna cum laude, with great praise, or summa cum laude, with highest praise. Degrees conferred with distinction reflect an outstanding overall grade point average with a minimum of sixty semester credit hours earned at Alfred University; a minimum of fifty computed in the grade point average.
Doctoral degrees will be conferred in a private hooding ceremony on Saturday May 13th at 2:30 p.m. Doctoral students do not need to attend the earlier ceremony in the McLane Center. Details will be included with your invitation which will be mailed to your address on record mid-April. Guest are welcome to attend and tickets are not needed.
The complete unit (cap, gown, hood and tassel) can be purchased from the AU Bookstore. All measurements are taken at the Bookstore. Purchase of the complete unit is required.
The price for a Bachelor's complete unit is $78.85 including tax. The price for a Master's complete unit is $83.60 including tax. Payment is required at the time of ordering. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted.
Orders are available for pick-up the week of graduation. Diploma frames are also now available at the Bookstore.
Questions regarding regalia, announcements or reserving flowers should be directed to the University Bookstore.
Tickets
Tickets will be required for admittance. All eligible graduating students will be issued five (5) tickets for attendance to the Commencement Ceremony. This policy is to help establish a safe and secure venue in compliance with NYS fire and safety codes. We will be streaming commencement live via our webpage for those who are unable to attend in person. As well, we will be showing it via live stream for un-ticketed guests who are on campus. Please direct ticket questions to the University Bookstore.
Ticket Pick-up
- Begins Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 at the AU Bookstore.
- Graduates will be given five (5) tickets each. Safeguard tickets; lost tickets cannot be replaced.
- Tickets will be given only to graduates on the official graduation list. You must have applied to graduate and stated you would be attending the May 13th ceremony.
- If you are not on campus, please email aubooks@alfred.edu to reserve tickets for pick-up graduation morning.
Seating & Accessibility Accommodations
The University also offers seating for parents/family members who need special physical accommodations. Please reserve a seat in our special seating by completing the “Accessible Needs” section of the reservation form. Keep in mind that due to space limitations, only one person will be able to assist and sit with the family member in the special seating area (please note: these are included in the five tickets per student allotment). Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that accessible seating will be available to accommodate “walk-ins” without prior reservations.
Parking lots are available throughout campus. Shuttle buses will be available to and from parking lots and McLane Center starting at 8:30 AM on Commencement morning. Individuals with special parking permits will be able to drop off people at the back door of McLane. The shuttle will also be available during and after Commencement.
There will be a professional photographer on-site to take pictures of your graduate crossing the stage and with their diploma.
The University offers housing for family members of all degree candidates over Commencement Weekend. The cost is $55.00 per person, per night and include a continental breakfast. Housing will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
All lodging is offered in student housing and is very utilitarian in nature, offering none of the luxuries of hotel living. Towels and bed linens are provided and included in the cost. Should you or a family member need special housing accommodations, please make sure you indicate your needs when you make your reservations.
Reservations are now being taken. The deadline to reserve is May 1st.
Live Stream
We will be live streaming the ceremony in several spaces on campus, and overflow seating will be available for un-ticketed guests.
Commencement Live Stream on YouTube
