Dear Members of the Campus Community:
SUNY New Paltz is preparing to celebrate our newest graduates at in-person, outdoor Commencement ceremonies on May 20, 21 & 22, 2022.
The weekend will begin with a Friday evening Graduate Commencement ceremony and continue with celebrations for undergraduate students on Saturday and Sunday. All ceremonies will take place on the Old Main Quad.
These plans are subject to change based on COVID-19 conditions. We know by now that the pandemic situation can change suddenly. With the vast majority of our community vaccinated, we expect to be able to honor our students’ hard work at in-person ceremonies, but we stand ready to adjust our plans if necessary to protect our students, faculty, staff and guests.
We have also updated our health and safety policies for Commencement to ensure the safest possible experience. These changes include:
- All guests must provide proof of full vaccination (including booster) or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before their ceremony
- Attendance will be limited to two guests per student to reduce density on the Quad
- All ceremonies will be livestreamed so friends and loved ones can cheer students on from the safety of home.
Again, we are still in the early planning stages and these policies are subject to change. The College will follow federal, state and local guidelines in effect at the time of these events. We will continue to update the campus community as Commencement preparation advances.