Ithaca College

On Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20, 2018, Ithaca College will hold its Commencement Weekend activities. To ensure a smooth Commencement Ceremony and a positive experience for our graduates and their families and friends, we need your assistance. 

With changes to the Commencement Ceremony this year, additional staff are needed to assist our students and their families. Changes include:

• Reading of graduates’ names as they cross the stage. Students will receive diploma covers and medallions from their Dean and President Collado.  Please note that we anticipate that this will lengthen our overall ceremony between an hour and a half and two hours.
• Addition of concessions in Butterfield Stadium. 
• Shortened procession route for students, faculty and the platform party that will begin in Gym Road behind the Hill Center. 

These changes will take expertise, extra hands of campus staff, and patience as we work to build a more student-centered celebration of the accomplishments of our graduates. There are many important roles to fill Commencement Weekend, which are described below.

 Compensation for staff working and volunteering

• Non-exempt employees will be paid time and a half based on a 37.5 hour work week. This year, time worked for Commencement activities will be recorded through the employee’s department payroll.
• Additionally, all staff, exempt or non-exempt, who work the Graduate Hooding Ceremony, Commencement Eve Concert, or Commencement Day will be permitted to take Monday, May 21, 2018 off from work as recognition of the additional time spent at this important campus event. The time away should be arranged with supervisors. Staff unable to take Monday, May 21, 2018 off should work with their supervisor regarding an alternative plan.
• Staff will also receive a voucher to use in the Butterfield concessions for lunch and will be given a 30 minute break at some point during their work day.

Sign up to Volunteer!

Please let us know of your interest by completing the online staffing form by April 13, 2018:

Commencement Weekend Assignments

Staff volunteers are needed for ushering at all Commencement events. You will be assigned based on your availability and our greatest need.  You will be contacted by Monday, April 30th via email to confirm your assignment and to let you know of any additional information and training meetings.

Saturday, May 20, 2018

Graduate Hooding Ushers – Ushers will assist graduate students in registration, preparation for hooding and processing, and will also assist families and guests in finding seating, distributing programs, answering questions and ensuring the safety of our graduates and their guests.  Graduate Hooding Ushers are expected to arrive at the A&E Center on Saturday, no later than 12:00 noon and stay through 4:00 pm.

Commencement Eve Concert Ushers – Ushers will assist families and guests in finding seating, distributing programs, answering questions and ensuring the safety of our guests at the Commencement Eve Concert.  Ushers will also assist guests in moving from the A&E Center to the fireworks viewing locations.  Concert ushers are expected to arrive at the A&E Center on Saturday no later than 7:00 pm and stay through the close of the Concert and start of the fireworks at 10:00 pm. All those working events in the A&E Center should block their calendars for a mandatory training meeting to be help on Wednesday, May 16 from 9-11 for safety training and a position briefing.

Sunday, May 21, 2018 – Commencement Day

Commencement Stadium Ushers – Stadium ushers are responsible for all guest activities in the stadium including welcoming parents, families and guests, distributing programs, assisting with guest seating, responding to questions and providing directions.

Commencement Day staff will be asked to arrive on campus on Sunday, May 21 no later than 6:30 am for a pre-event briefing (a light continental breakfast will be provided).  Most staff will be asked to stay until one hour after the close of the Commencement Ceremony (approximately 2:30 – 3:00 pm).  Staff will be provided with a voucher for food that can be obtained in the concession areas in the stadium.  Staff will also be given the opportunity for a 30 minute break sometime during their time in the stadium. Staff may also join the graduates at the academic reception on the Campus Center Quad following Commencement for light lunch fare (all receptions will be in the Campus Center Quad this year).

All those registering to work Commencement Day should block their calendars for Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 1:00-4:00 pm in Butterfield Stadium for a mandatory training meeting.  At this meeting we will instruct on safety and security issues and will also conduct a walkthrough of the ceremony so that all are familiar with the changes that have been made this year.  Please also reserve Friday, May 18 from 9:00-12 noon in case poor weather keeps us from coordinating the training in the Stadium on Thursday, May 17.

Thank you for your interest in providing a positive and welcoming experience for our students and their guests at this very important close to their time at Ithaca College.

On behalf of the entire Commencement Committee,

David Prunty and Doreen Hettich-Atkins, Co-chairs