Commencement 2020
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Processional begins at 1:45 PM. Ceremony runs from 2 to 4 PM.
Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) on the campus of Finger Lakes Community College
For detailed information, select a heading:
Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns: There is no cost to students for caps and gowns. Regalia can be picked up at the Grad Fair on April 21. See below.
Grad Fair 2020
April 21, 2020 - 10 AM to 2 PM
The Book Nook (College bookstore, main campus)
- Students may pick up their free regalia.
- Graduation pins, diploma frames and other graduation items will be available to purchase.
- After April 21: Students may pick up their graduation attire at The Book Nook during regular business hours.
- Student ID: Students must show their student IDs when they pick up their graduation attire.
- No payment needed: Student fees pay for caps and gowns.
- Lost tassel: If a student loses his/her tassel, a replacement tassel may be purchased for $5 at The Book Nook.
- Holds: If a student has a hold on his/her account due to unpaid bills, overdue library books, parking fines, etc., the student will need to settle the account prior to picking up his/her cap and gown.
- Phi Theta Kappa regalia: Visit the Phi Theta Kappa Recognition Store at http://store.ptk.org/ to purchase the regalia.
College Bookstore
The Book Nook will be open from 8:30 AM to 5 PM on Commencement day for gift and apparel purchases. The Book Nook is located on the first floor of the Student Center.
Commencement Day – Graduates
Line up
Line up takes place in the FLCC gym.
Time
Graduates should report to the gym no later than 12:45 PM on May 16.
Caps and gowns
Graduates are to bring their caps and gowns with them to put on in the gym.
Dress for the weather
Dress appropriately for the occasion and the weather. Be aware that no matter what the temperature is outside, it is always colder in CMAC. High heels are not recommended as the walk to CMAC is lengthy and includes many steps.
Personal belongings
Students may NOT carry any personal belongings in the Commencement line. Please lock them in your car.
Commencement Ceremony - Guests
Tickets
Tickets are not required to attend the Commencement ceremony.
Reserved seating
Reserved seating is for graduates, faculty, staff and special guests only. Their seating sections will be roped off.
Public seating
All other seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please note: Commencement activities involve the entire campus and thousands of people. Family and friends should arrive early to allow time for parking and lots of walking. Please plan ahead for family members with limited mobility.
Ceremony length
The ceremony should last two hours. Guests should plan to arrive early to allow time for parking and seating. Graduates and guests are asked to stay for the duration of the ceremony. Restrooms will be available on the CMAC grounds (look for signs pointing to separate building located to the left if facing stage).
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed in mid-June to graduates completing their degree requirements in May 2020.
Directions and maps
For driving directions and maps visit www.flcc.edu/directions
Graduation Announcements
Graduation announcements may be purchased at The Book Nook beginning April 21.
Nursing Pinning Ceremony
- When: The Nursing Pinning Ceremony is Saturday, May 16 beginning at 9:30 AM.
- Where: The ceremony will be held in the Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) on the campus of Finger Lakes Community College.
- For more information about the Nursing Pinning Ceremony contact Katie Schaeffer, Nursing Pinning Ceremony coordinator at (585)785-1536, Katie.Schaeffer@flcc.edu
Parking and shuttle service
Guest and graduate parking
Parking will be available in two locations:
- CMAC parking lot (Parking lot G.) See campus map
- Large parking lot in front of the main campus building (Parking lot A.) See campus map
Handicap parking and drop-off
Handicap parking will be available in two locations:
- Smaller parking lot directly in front of the Student Center entrance (Parking lot B.) See campus map
- Drop-off area: There will be a drop-off area closer to CMAC for people with disabilities. However, some walking is still required to get to the seating area. Families with members who have limited mobility should plan ahead and consider bringing a wheelchair and designating a member of the family to push the wheelchair.
Mobility Assistance
- The College will offer shuttle service from the two parking lot areas to the CMAC shell and staff will operate a limited number of golf carts to assist those with mobility challenges. Because this is a limited service, guests who do not need the assistance are asked to prioritize the needs of those who do. For safety reasons, carts will not take on passengers until crowds have cleared after the Nursing Pinning and Commencement ceremonies. Please be aware that you may have to wait for up to 15 minutes for a shuttle ride or mobility cart immediately prior to and after the ceremonies, when demand is at its highest.
View main campus map with parking lot locations.
Photographs
GradImages®
- Photographers from GradImages® will be at the ceremony and will take two candid photographs of each graduate before he/she walks on stage and during the graduate’s special recognition moment on stage.
- To order photos: Within five to seven days after commencement, graduates will receive an order form with free passport-sized digital proofs of the two photos taken at the ceremony. Orders may be placed online at www.gradimages.com or by calling (1)800-261-2576.
- Pre-register: Graduates may pre-register online at www.gradimages.com to receive an email as soon as their photos are available for viewing and ordering.
Guests may take photos
Family and friends are welcome to take photos during the ceremony in designated areas. However, we ask that anyone taking photos be respectful of the graduates and other guests.
Reception
Graduate reception: The Class of 2020 and their guests are invited to join the college community immediately following the ceremony for a reception honoring the graduates. The reception will be held in the Finger Lakes Café on the second floor of the Student Center.
Special Accommodations
Accommodations for people with disabilities
If a graduate, family member or guest requires special accommodations for seating, sign language interpretation, getting on and off stage or has other needs, please contact Lisa Thomas, assistant director of academic success and access programs at FLCC, as soon as possible at (585) 785-1390, Lisa.Thomas@flcc.edu.
Wheelchair accommodations
There are several seating areas in CMAC specifically designed for wheelchairs.
Guests sitting with wheelchair users
We request that no more than two guests sit with a wheelchair user in a wheelchair section.
Weather
- Rain or shine: The ceremony will proceed rain or shine.
- Dress for the weather: Please be aware that no matter what the temperature is outside, it is much colder in CMAC. CMAC is an outdoor theater and is not enclosed.
Watch Commencement
The Nursing Pinning and Commencement ceremonies will be shown live on Finger Lakes Television, channel 1304 on the Spectrum system in the Finger Lakes. Finger Lakes TV broadcasts are also simultaneously web cast at fingerlakestv.org/live.
- Tune in at 9:25 AM May 16 for Nursing Pinning and 1:40 PM for Commencement.
- Finger Lakes Television will re-broadcast a recording of the Nursing Pinning Ceremony at 1 PM on Saturday, May 23.
- The rebroadcast of Commencement is scheduled for 1 PM Sunday, May 24.
If you have questions concerning graduation, please contact the One Stop Center at (585)785-1000 or onestop@flcc.edu. We will be happy to assist you.
All students who plan to graduate must file an Application for Degree or Certificate form to be eligible to participate in Commencement. If you received the Commencement postcard, you have already filed.
Caps and gowns may be picked up starting April 21 at a special event in the bookstore or during regular bookstore hours after April 21.
Processional lineup starts in the gym. Graduates should be in the gym no later than 12:45 PM.
Commencement processional begins at 1:45 PM. Guests are asked to be in their seats by that time and remain seated until the program is completed.
Guest parking is available in the CMAC parking lot and the large parking lot in front of the main FLCC building.
Handicap parking is available in the small parking lot directly in front of the Student Center. Visitors who need assistance can also be dropped off in front of the Student Center to wait for the rest of their party.
Commencement is held rain or shine. CMAC is usually colder than the outside temperature. We recommend graduates and guests dress accordingly.
If you have questions, contact the One Stop Center at (585)785-1000 or onestop@flcc.edu