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Dear Faculty and Staff,

New Student Convocation is fast approaching, and the program this year is fully transformed from years past.

We know it’s an extra busy time of year for colleagues across campus, so we’re hoping these FAQs help clarify some questions you might have about this celebration of the start of the academic year.

Before we get to those details, though, there’s one piece of information that’s more important than everything else:

If you are reading this, you are invited to Convocation 2023!

Convocation is about welcoming our newest students, but this celebration can be so much more. After the relative quiet of summer, our vision is to create an event that joyfully welcomes the academic year. All returning students, faculty and staff are invited to join in to reconnect and energize for the semester ahead.

So please, if you haven’t already, use the link below to return a quick RSVP so we know to expect you.

RSVP to attend Convocation

Thank you! And now, on to the FAQs:

When is Convocation?

Convocation 2023 is on Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 3–6 p.m.

Why is Convocation happening on a Wednesday this year?

The new schedule responds to survey feedback we received last year, which indicated that it was a challenge for some faculty and staff to participate when Convocation was held on the Friday before the first day of classes.

Wednesday afternoon is also a relatively light time for class meetings. Faculty who teach courses that meet that afternoon are invited (but not required) to cancel or early-dismiss those class meetings so they and their students can be part of Convocation. Offices are welcome to close temporarily that afternoon so staff can participate as well.

Where does Convocation start?

The event begins with check-in at the SUB Concourse (outside the second floor entrance). Faculty and staff (including event volunteers) can check in starting at 2:30 p.m. Student check-in begins at 3 p.m.

Faculty and staff who check in will be able to pick up their free Convocation t-shirt (200 available on a first-come, first-served basis) and collect their meal ticket for the receptions (more info about those below).

Even after the ceremony gets underway, the check-in station outside the SUB will remain open until 5 p.m. for any students, faculty or staff who need to pick up their meal ticket.

What happens after check-in?

Volunteers will direct participants to Parker Quad near the Student Union for lineup and some pre-event mixing and mingling from 3–3:45 p.m.

Everyone is invited to join the lineup – new students, returning students, faculty, staff, alumni – before we step off for a ceremonial Procession to Old Main Quad.

We’ll move down Excelsior Concourse as a group, passing under the same archway that students will walk through again at the end of their New Paltz careers, when they receive their degrees at Commencement.

Who are the speakers at Convocation 2023?

Once everyone is seated on Old Main Quad, Student Association President Xaviana Blunt '24 (Black Studies) and SUNY New Paltz President Darrell P. Wheeler will offer a few words of wisdom to the assembled members of the incoming class.

This portion of the program will be less formal than in years past – no regalia, no stage party, just an opportunity for new students and other participants to hear two campus leaders set the tone for the year ahead.

Is there still going to be a class photo?

Yes! After the brief remarks from our speakers, we will invite everyone to join together for a massive class photo. Our hope is to capture an important moment in our new students’ lives – something they can look back on as a happy reminder of their first days on campus, and that can help them reflect on how far their journey here has taken them. We hope lots of faculty and staff can be part of this!

Do the receptions come after the Class Photo?

They do! The ceremony on the Old Main Quad should wrap up around 4:30 p.m., at which time participants can head off to the six receptions being held at locations across campus. Students will be dismissed from the Quad school by school, and we’ll ask each group to remain seated until their program is called.

The receptions will be open until 6 p.m. or so with buffet-style cuisine provided by Dining Services. These are the locations, organized by academic school:

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences: Parker Quad
School of Business: Van Den Berg Hall
School of Education: College Terrace
School of Fine & Performing Arts: Arts & Sciences Quad
School of Science & Engineering: Science Hall
Undeclared/Undecided Students: Wooster Hall (outside second floor entrance)

Who is invited to eat at the receptions?

Everyone! Whether you’re a new student, a returning student or a faculty or staff member, you are welcome at the reception that corresponds with your program/major/department. We hope folks across campus will attend and try to get to know our new Hawks.

As noted above, you’ll need to get a meal ticket ahead of time by checking in at the SUB Concourse. The tickets are color-coded so everyone will know which reception to attend.

The check-in station will be open until 5 p.m. for students, faculty and staff who are unable to pick up their meal ticket until later in the day.

Will other campus dining options be affected during Convocation?

Yes, all other campus dining locations (except for the Convocation receptions) will be closed on Aug. 30 from 2–7 p.m. so that Dining Services staff can support the receptions.

Peregrine Hall will reopen at 7 p.m. to serve students, and normal dining hours across campus will resume on Thursday, Aug. 31.

What if it rains?

If weather conditions require us to adjust these plans, we will relocate and send an update with new information. Fingers crossed for clear skies!

That’s all for now! We hope this information is useful, and again, wish to thank everyone on campus for helping make this event a success.

More information about Convocation 2023 can be found here.

Sincerely,

Ashley Walker
Director, Center for Student Engagement
walkera@newpaltz.edu

Lisa Sandick '23g
Program Director, Special Events
Office of Development & Alumni Relations
sandickl@newpaltz.edu

On behalf of the Reimagined Convocation Committee