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Commencement Schedule and Information

The following plans and information are subject to State, SUNY, and campus guidance/policies and may change with little to no warning.

Commencement Rehearsal

Commencement Rehearsal

• Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
• Time: 1:00 p.m.
• Location: CARC/Roos House, Ice Arena, SUNY Canton
• Find: Your School/School's Marshal; Join the Line Up Behind Your Degree/Major

*You do not need to bring/wear your regalia to rehearsal.*

*Rehearsal is encouraged not mandatory.*

Graduate Champaign Toast and Dessert Reception

• Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
• Time: After Rehearsal ~2:00 p.m.
• Location: CARC/Roos House, Lobby

*See Email Invitation.

Commencement Ceremony

• Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
• Time: 10:30 a.m.
• 8:15 a.m. ~ Doors Open for Guests
• 8:30 a.m. ~ Graduates Arrive/Go to Ice Arena
• 10:15 a.m. ~ Procession Begins
• 10:30 a.m. ~ Ceremony and Live Streaming Begins
• Location:  CARC/Roos House, Field House, SUNY Canton
• Reception:  Following Ceremony in the Ice Arena

 

Commencement Day

Live-Stream Link

A live-stream link will be sent to graduates one week before the ceremony and will be posted on SUNY Canton’s website.

Parking and Arrival

• Guests:  8:15 a.m. (Doors Open) (Guests should be in their seats by 10:00 a.m.)
• Parking will be in Lot 3 and Lot 4, until full, then, Lot 5 and Lot 6 (Campus Map)
• Campus personnel will be there to direct you.
• There will be shuttle vans frequenting each Lot to bring visitors to/from the CARC.
• Graduates:  8:30 a.m.
• Park in Lot 4 (lot facing the CARC) (Overflow Lot 3)
• Arrive in/wearing your regalia.
• Bring only necessary items—storage is not available.

• Accessible Parking:  Lot 23 (lot behind the CARC) (first-come, first-served).
• Guests with mobility disabilities may be dropped off at the back entrance of the CARC/Roos House. Please ensure you have your guest ticket ready for entry. There will be signs directing guests to the elevator to take them to the main floor that the ceremony will be held on.
• All vehicles entering Lot 23 will be required to park in that lot until the ceremony is over, unless it is a rideshare vehicle.

Graduate Instructions

Pre-Ceremony Tasks

• Go to the Ice Arena: Make your way to the ice/play level – overhead door end, and start at the Reader Card table located along the wall between the ice/play level and the arena seating.
• Reader Card: Fill out and retain a Reader Card until you cross the stage.  Hand it to the Reader once on stage.
• Graduate Medallion: Receive your graduate medallion.  A graduate medallion will be placed around your neck prior to your photos being taken.
• Task Completion/Photo Check: Volunteers will check to be sure you have your Reader Card and Graduate Medallion, as well as making sure you are ready for your photos, including checking regalia and bachelor’s degree hoods.
• Graduate Photos:

  There will be a professional photographer on site to take two photos of each graduate. Please arrive on time to ensure that your photo is taken.  A professional photograph proof will be sent to graduates following Commencement. Graduates will have the option of purchasing additional copies from the photographer.  

  • Two photos will be taken:
    • Formal Portrait (part of the pre-ceremony tasks)
    • Stage Crossing Photo (as your name is read)
  • Photography Provided By: Cristina Fenner Photography
  • Free Digital Photos: A link will be emailed to graduates a few weeks after the ceremony.
• School/Degree Major Lineup: After you have completed the tasks above, move to your School/Degree Major Lineup forming in the middle of the ice/play level – School of Business and Liberal Arts, Canino School of Engineering Technology, and School of Science, Health, and Criminal Justice.  Once you find your School, locate your Degree Major section – they are in alphabetical order.  Join your fellow graduates in your Degree Major section; you do not need to be in any particular order.  Graduates need to be in their School/Degree Major Lineup by 9:45 a.m. at the latest.

Procession/Commencement Ceremony

The procession will begin promptly at 10:15 a.m.  Each Student Marshal will lead their School’s graduates in joining the processional and to their designated seating.  The processional order for the Schools is noted above under School/Degree Major Lineup.  The Commencement Ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m.

*Graduates who arrive late/after the procession begins will need to wait until the procession concludes before being seated; graduates may not be able to be seated with their School and/or degree/major program. An event volunteer will help with the seating.

Recession/Reception

At the conclusion of the Commencement Ceremony, each Student Marshal will lead their School’s graduates in joining the recessional, which will move through a line-up of faculty and staff waiting to applaud their accomplishments.  The recessional will go from the Field House to the Ice Arena where a reception will be held for graduates, family, and friends.

Accessibility Accommodations

Communication Access

To ensure an inclusive experience, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be on stage during the Commencement Ceremony for guests who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

Parking & Arrival

See the Accessible Parking under the Parking & Arrival section above.

Seating & Accessibility

We recommend that guests with disabilities arrive early for the best seating options. For guests using wheelchairs, walkers, or those who find bleacher seating inaccessible, limited ground-level seating is available.

Graduates will be emailed a link to complete a Request for Accessibility Seating Accommodations should their guests need it. For questions, please contact us at (315) 386-7918.

Safety Information

Restrictions

No backpacks or large bags are permitted in the facility/CARC.

No balloons or selfie-sticks are allowed in the Field House.

SUNY Canton cares about the safety of all ceremony participants/volunteers and reserves the right to request the removal or inspection of prohibited items before entrance to the facility or Commencement Ceremony is allowed. The College appreciates your cooperation in making this a safe and memorable event for all.

Animals at Commencement

While we allow guests who utilize service animals to bring their important companions to Commencement, it is inappropriate for animals not trained to deal with large crowds, noise, and confusion to be part of the celebration. Animals are NOT allowed at Commencement, except SERVICE ANIMALS required to perform tasks for persons with disabilities.

New York State Law prohibits leaving an animal inside a confined vehicle in extreme heat or cold without proper ventilation or other protection. For the safety and comfort of the animals and our guests, it is important that pets be left at home. Guests who insist on bringing pets to the ceremony will be asked to leave immediately. No exceptions will be made for graduates or guests.