GRADUATION/COMMENCEMENT CHECKLIST
One Year Before You Plan to Graduate
 Meet with an advisor. Each student should plan ahead to take the necessary classes to
graduate.
 Apply for graduation. Students should initiate the graduation application process the
semester prior to their final semester of study. Grad Central representatives will be
available at Student Central to answer any questions you may have.
Two Months Before Graduation
 In mid-March students will receive a letter regarding the commencement ceremony.
 Register to Participate. Visit the Grad Central website to say you will be attending
commencement.
 Visit Grad Central. Meet with a graduation specialist at Grad Central to answer specific
questions concerning graduation, ensuring you are on the right track to degree
completion. It is located at Student Central in the Gordon Student Center.
 Order your cap and gown. Students should arrange to purchase a cap and gown from
the Onondaga bookstore approximately 8 weeks before the commencement ceremony.
(Students will be notified by mail when the regalia is available for purchase.).
 Notify Guests. Families, friends and the general public are cordially invited to attend
the commencement activities. Seating at the SRC Arena is ample, thus no tickets are
needed for guests to attend.
At Commencement
 Arrive early. Both students and guests should arrive at least one hour before the
ceremony begins. Graduates should follow the signs for check in. The procession will
begin promptly at the appointed time.
 Wear appropriate academic attire. Wearing of the traditional academic gown and
mortarboard is required for participation in the Commencement ceremony. Students
usually purchase the cap, gown and tassel at the Onondaga Bookstore. Students
graduating with honors (3.4 cumulative GPA or higher) will receive a gold cord at
graduation check-in. Phi Theta Kappa gold tassels are available at Student Central, at no
charge and stoles can be purchased at Bursar. These items designate you as a PTK
member. Neither is mandatory. They are available if you choose to wear them for the
ceremony.
 Hold on to your name card. At check-in you will pick up your name card and be asked
to check the spelling of your name. If you have a difficult name to pronounce, you will
be instructed to write it phonetically. Volunteers will be on hand to assist.
Afterwards, you will be notified when…
 To pick up your diploma. Graduates attending the ceremony are presented with a
diploma cover. You will be sent a postcard informing you of their availability for pickup.