Everything You Need To Know About Graduation

By: Taryn Kelly

If you’re unsure if you are eligible to graduate this upcoming May, you can run a degree evaluation in your Degree Works account. The degree evaluation will allow you to check if you are missing any program requirements. If you notice if any of your requirements are missing, contact your academic advisor.

If you meet all of your program requirements, then you are eligible to submit a graduation application. You must submit a separate application for each degree or certificate you would like to earn. To check the status of your graduation application, look in the degree block of your Degree Works audit, where it will show you if your application has been reviewed or not. The deadline to apply for graduate is May 2nd.

After your graduation application has been accepted, you are now able to order your cap, gown and tassel for the commencement. You can order your cap and gown at the Barnes & Noble’s bookstore on either campus (Sanborn or NFCI) until May 2nd. The total cost of the commencement attire is about $45.

After you ordered your cap and gown, you are officially set to walk the stage at graduation! From May 6th until May 16th, you can pick up your two guest tickets for the event. You are also able to submit a form to request two extra tickets for the event. If you submit a form, you will receive an email by May 13th informing you if your request has been accepted. However, since these tickets are first come first serve, they will be distributed based on availability.

Finally, after you have done all of these things, you are now ready to attend the commencement! The commencement will take place on Saturday, May 17th at 10am in the SUNY Niagara main gym. Graduates must meet in the Arts & Media Theatre by 9am to line up for the ceremony. Following the commencement, there will be a celebration outside in parking lot 2 with picnic style foods and a photo station.

For many of us graduates, we plan on either transferring to a 4-year school or entering the workforce. If you are a graduate who needs guidance on transferring or employment, you can either contact the Student Success Center or check out the SUNY Niagara homepage! Here’s how to get to each of these services on the school’s website:

• Career Services: SUNY Niagara homepage > campus life > student services > career & transfer > career services
• Transfer Services: SUNY Niagara homepage > campus life > student services > career & transfer > transfer services

If you have any further questions about the commencement, you can contact the commencement coordinator, Jill Faddoul. You can reach out by phone at (716)614-5974, or by email at jmfaddoul@niagaracc.suny.edu.