FAQs for Undergraduate Students

All undergraduate ceremonies are located in Park Center Alumni Arena and will take place Saturday, May 16, 2026. Students receiving bachelor’s degrees will be assigned to one of the following ceremonies:

• Ceremony A: 9:30 a.m.
• Ceremony B: 2:30 p.m.
• Ceremony C: 7 p.m.

Visit the Ceremony Assignment tab to review the 2026 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony assignments.

Student ceremony assignments are based on the department of their primary major. Students may refer to the Student Information Summary available in the "Student" tab of myRedDragon to determine their primary and secondary major departments. 

Note: The assignment of departments to a particular ceremony will rotate each year; however, ceremony assignments for departments also may vary depending on fluctuations in departmental enrollment. 

While the university has held Commencement outside in the past, erratic and unreliable spring weather, as well as the exorbitant cost of an outdoor ceremony, are factors in the decision to use an indoor venue.

The university is unable to accommodate the number of students and guests who wish to attend Commencement in only two ceremonies due to fire code regulations for Park Center Alumni Arena.

The varying size of the schools does not allow an even distribution. For example, the School of Arts and Sciences generally accounts for one-half of all graduates.

The May 2026 undergraduate ceremonies will recognize students who complete their degree requirements in December 2025, May 2026 or August 2026, or are expected to complete student teaching, internship, fieldwork, study abroad or another academic requirement that is not completed on or near the Cortland campus in December 2026.

Degree conferral and participation in Commencement ceremonies are different. To graduate, students must apply for their degree regardless of whether they plan to participate in a Commencement ceremony.

Students apply for their degree in myRedDragon. To be included in the Commencement program, they must do so by April 1, 2026.

To view your degree conferral application status please complete the following steps:

1. Select the "Student" tab
2. Select "Degree Conferral and Graduation"  on the Registrar channel
3. Choose the "Review Existing Applications" link

Student rehearsal is at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, in Park Center Alumni Arena.

The Petition to Walk form is used to request permission to participate in the Commencement ceremony if you have a time conflict, medical reason, travel conflict, specific academic reason (related to internships, study abroad, and student teaching) or other circumstance that you will need to identify for Commencement. 

Students completing this form should have already completed a degree conferral application. Please check your degree conferral status before submitting this form.  

The Petition to Walk form will be available in March 2026.

Questions regarding the degree conferral application, including questions about a current application, may be directed to Registrar's Office.

Questions regarding the student Grad Pass/Guest Tickets/Overflow Viewing and any special circumstances may be emailed to Undergraduate Commencement.

SUNY Cortland has only one Commencement weekend annually. The May 2026 ceremonies honor students who complete their degree requirements in December 2025, May 2026 and August 2026, or are expected to complete student teaching, internship, fieldwork, study abroad or another academic requirement that is not completed on or near the Cortland campus in December 2026.

Students should first meet with their advisor to verify eligibility for graduation in the fall semester or early spring semester prior to the ceremony. Students can apply for their degree and indicate participation in the May ceremony through myRedDragon. Students can still apply for their degree and indicate participation in the ceremony.

Once at myRedDragon, do the following:

1. Type in ID and password
2. Select “Student" tab and go to the Registrar column
3. Select “Degree Conferral and Commencement”
4. Select “Apply for Degree Conferral”

Students can still apply for their degree and indicate participation in the ceremony. All students who attend the Commencement ceremonies will have their names read, regardless of being in the program or not.

Please note: Students must apply for their degree online using myRedDragon, even if they miss the April 1 deadline.

Student ceremony assignments are based on the department of their primary major. Students may refer to the Student Information Summary available in the Student Links channel of myRedDragon to determine their primary and secondary major departments.

1. Log in to myRedDragon
2. Select the Academics tab
3. Select the "Registrar" Channel
4. Select "Student Information Summary"

Yes. Rehearsal for Undergraduate Commencement is held on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in the Park Center Alumni Arena. All students are strongly encouraged to attend.  

Students should report to Corey Gymnasium one hour prior to their ceremony.

Graduates attending Ceremony A should meet in the Corey Gymnasium at 8:30 a.m.; Ceremony B should meet in the Corey Gymnasium at 1:30 p.m.; and Ceremony C should meet in the Corey Gymnasium at 6 p.m. 

The length of the ceremony is approximately two hours.

An hour before the Commencement ceremony, students will check in at the Park Center Corey Gymnasium. They will receive a 3"x5" card with their first and last name. Students then choose a row to line up in and may line up with their friends. They will remain in this order as they proceed into rows on the floor of the Alumni Arena.

As students reach the stage, they will hand the card received at check-in to the person at the microphone, who will read the student's name. Two readers are positioned at the top of the ramp and will alternate reading the student names. Those with names that might be difficult to pronounce are asked to write a phonetic pronunciation of your name when you check-in prior to the ceremony AND give the reader the correct pronunciation just before the name is read.

The students’ names and “special person” designations are read as they cross the stage. Students will first receive a congratulatory handshake from the president. Students will then cross the stage and just before exiting will receive a diploma cover from one of the deans. Students will exit down the opposite ramp, pause for their photo, and return to student seating.

Faculty members look forward to attending. Students are encouraged to invite their favorite faculty or staff members to attend.

Commencement is a formal ceremony, so dress accordingly. The general rule is light weight, non-restricting clothes. Business professional or formal attire is recommended, which may include a dress or skirt, dress slacks, a button-down shirt, suit or a tie. Mortarboard (cap) tassels should be worn on the left side throughout the ceremony.

Students' grade point averages (GPA) calculated as of February 1 determine the SUNY Cortland honors distinction.

Once the end-of-school GPA is determined after the ceremony, allowing for the incorporation of the Spring grades, the honors distinction is then recorded and displayed on the official transcript.

• A GPA between 3.2-3.499 will receive a white tassel and graduate cum laude.
• A GPA between 3.5-3.749 will receive a red and white tassel and graduate magna cum laude.
• A GPA of 3.75 and above will receive a red tassel and graduate summa cum laude.

Graduates do not purchase their honors tassel.  More details will be shared on how students can obtain their honors tassel.

If, as of February 1, a student’s GPA did not qualify for the honors distinction as noted above, the student will wear the SUNY Cortland black tassel. However, if after the calculation of the end-of-school GPA (calculated after the ceremony) meets the honors GPA, the honors distinction is then recorded and displayed on the official transcript. 

Please note: Various departments and honor societies also have honors distinctions and may distribute cords or tassels to be worn during Commencement. Students need to inquire with their department chair or advisor to verify if there is an honors distinction specifically for their major/program. 

Emergency services are stationed inside Park Center Alumni Arena. An ambulance will be stationed outside.

In case of an emergency, seek assistance from a marshal, Commencement usher or a university police officer and follow any instructions given in an orderly manner.

Faculty and staff marshals, Commencement ushers and university police officers are available at all times for assistance and information. Faculty and staff marshals will be wearing Commencement regalia, while the Commencement ushers will be wearing volunteer t-shirts and university police officers will be in full uniform.

Students or guests with an accessibility request need to arrange their accommodations by filling out the online registration form.

Note: Please submit all requests for accommodations by April 24, 2026 so that proper arrangements can be made.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Campus Event Management Office at 607-753-5453 or email at events@cortland.edu. 

For lost and found items, contact the University Police Department, Whitaker Hall, Room 110, 607-753-2112.

Restrooms are located throughout Park Center. 

SUNY Cortland prohibits tobacco, nicotine and electronic cigarettes and electronic aerosol delivery devices on campus. More information can be found here.

Emergency phones are located throughout the entire campus and are identified by blue lights above the phones. University Police are equipped for emergency communication as well. Guests are reminded to silence all cell phones and any other electronic devices during the ceremony.