email : Webview : Faculty and staff marshals wanted! Celebrate with our graduates as a volunteer at Commencement

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

As we have shared, the College is planning a series of smaller, shorter, in-person Commencement ceremonies May 14-16 and May 22-23. Students have let us know how important it is for them to walk across the stage, have their name called and receive their diploma covers, and we have been working diligently to provide this memorable moment to our graduates while also prioritizing safety and following SUNY and state public health guidelines.

We’re looking forward to celebrating safely at the end of an unprecedented academic year, but we need your help to do so!

We’re asking faculty and staff to support our in-person Commencement as marshals in safe, socially distant roles. Whether you can participate on one or multiple ceremony dates, your participation will be vital to helping students enjoy a joyous in-person graduation experience.

Interested in signing up? Please use this link or the button below to let us know when you’re available for shifts during our two Commencement weekends. You’ll need to log in using your my.newpaltz.edu credentials to access the sign-up form at that link.

The ceremony schedule is organized by majors and academic schools, so that students can walk with their friends and classmates. Faculty and staff can view the schedule via the volunteer registration link above and have the opportunity to see their students walk. The Commencement Office will confirm specific roles and further health and safety protocols with registered volunteers, and will hold info sessions for those who sign up to help them prepare.

Those who volunteer for Commencement will have to complete the Daily Health Screening but will not be required to test for COVID-19, per state health guidance about outdoor events with capacity limited to 200 people.

Unlike in prior Commencement ceremonies, faculty will not be seated on the Quad, as part of our reorganization to limit capacity at these in-person events. Marshal roles are being planned to allow all volunteers to congratulate our graduates from a safe distance. Marshals do not need to wear regalia, though New Paltz colors are encouraged!

Faculty and staff who volunteer may be eligible for paid/compensatory time off. UUP employees who support our Commencement events will receive compensatory time, and CSEA employees will receive overtime as eligible per contract guidelines. Note that paid/compensatory time extends to weekend Commencement service that is outside of normal business hours. Please click here for more information about paid/compensatory time for faculty and staff.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to celebrate our wonderful and resilient graduates. More information about our 2021 Commencement ceremonies is available here.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Lisa Sandick, Program Director, Special Events
SUNY New Paltz Office of Commencement