Information for Students

In order for you to be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony and your name to appear in the program, you must submit your diploma application before April 1, 2024. After April 1, diploma applications will still be accepted; however, your name will not appear in the program. Please submit your diploma application via email to graduation@oneonta.edu or in-person to the Office of the Registrar, 130 Netzer Administration Building.

Diploma Application

Senior Portrait

For students in Oneonta

Schedule your appointment on the Prestige Photography website.

Portraits will be taken in your Business Attire, and Cap & Gown. Academic attire will be provided.

Please be prepared to provide the photographer with your major and home town at the time of your sitting.

The first set of dates is available for scheduling now. The others will open up later.

For students in the FIT program

Schedule your appointment at Baruch College on the Our Year website and enter school code 87182. In the comment section they should note that they are in the Oneonta Fit program so our photographer is aware.

Yearbook

Sign up to receive a FREE 2024 yearbook via the Red Dragon Network. This site will prompt you to register first before being able to request a yearbook.

The Pillar Awards gives members of the graduating class the opportunity to recognize an individual on campus who has had the greatest impact and represented a pillar of their journey at SUNY Oneonta. Each graduating senior can name any person who works at SUNY Oneonta, OAS, or Sodexo. Submit your nomination by March 8th.

Thursday, April 18 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Otsego Grille, Morris Hall

Start Senior Week by having your last official meal in the dining halls!

When: Tuesday, May 14 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Wilsbach Dining Hall

Grad HQ

Graduation Headquarters, or GradHQ, lets you check off everything you need to prepare for Commencement at one time and in one place. There will also be free food, music, giveaways and a photo booth with props!

When: Wednesday, May 15 through Friday, May 17 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: International Lounge, Hunt Union (area outside of the Experiential Learning Center)

Tickets

You can access your guest tickets by going to oneonta.universitytickets.com starting on May 1, 2024. Each graduate will be provided with four guest tickets.

1. Log in (upper right corner) with your Oneonta credentials. As long as it is after May 1, 2024 you should see “Spring ’24 Commencement” under the list of upcoming events.
2. Select the ceremony that corresponds with your major. If you are a dual major, you are assigned to attend the ceremony for the primary major in your academic record.
3. Click on “Get Tickets” button.*
   1. * If you see the following message, “These tickets are limited to specific users based on their login. See event details for further information,” then you should check with the Registrar’s Office to check that your diploma/graduation application has been submitted properly and processed. Or come to Grad HQ with questions.
4. On the next screen, you will see the full description and a green bar that says “Ticket Options.” Use the drop down box to select the number of tickets you would like (up to the max). Then click “select seats.”
5. Review your request to make sure it is correct and select “Checkout.”
6. This brings up your confirmation. You can click either of the green buttons at the top of your order details to send all of your tickets electronically via mobile (to yourself or someone else) or to download them as a .pdf to print out. Or, you can click the cell phone icon or .pdf icon next to each ticket in the list to share/download them one by one.
7. It is up to you to distribute your tickets to your guests, either electronically or printed. Each ticket has a unique barcode, so you must distribute a separate ticket to each of your guests. The same ticket cannot be used by more than one person. The barcodes will be scanned at the doors to the ceremony. Once a barcode is scanned, no one else can use that barcode. Anyone who tries to use a ticket with a barcode that has already been scanned will not be able to enter.
   Guests cannot get tickets from anyone but you. Please confirm with your guests that they have received the ticket(s) you share with them.

Please come to GradHQ (list date and times) if you would like assistance with this process. We are glad to help and want to make this day of celebration as easy as possible for you.

Class Gift

The SUNY Oneonta Philanthropy Cord recognizes students who go above and beyond by making their Senior Class Gift to the Fund for Oneonta. Every dollar donated to the Fund for Oneonta is spent to provide students with need-based scholarships and access to professional development programs.

SUNY Oneonta students and alumni have a long history of giving back to help students achieve their own dreams. In the spirit of this tradition, we encourage all graduating seniors to make their Senior Class Gift and earn their Philanthropy Cord.

Make your gift at GradHQ via cash, check or credit/debit card or make your gift now and be a part of the legacy for generations to come.

Caps and Gowns

Caps and gowns can be picked up at anytime during normal business hours at Red Dragon Outfitters. Red Dragon Outfitters store hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Alumni Engagement is hosting a "craft your cap" station at GradHQ. There will be light refreshments and plenty of crafting supplies to decorate your cap if you choose.

Honors Medallion and Cords

If you have achieved honors, you will be able to pick up your honor medallion at GradHQ. If you have earned cords for LEAD milestones or service hours, you will be able to pick those up at GradHQ as well..

Rehearsal Schedule

Friday, May 17, 2024, Alumni Field House, (AFH), Dewar Arena

11 a.m. - School of Sciences

12:30 p.m. - School of Liberal Arts and Business

2 p.m. - School of Education, Human Ecology and Sports Studies

3 p.m. - Pass Through the Pillars (plan to arrive between Fine Arts and Netzer Administration buildings to be lined up, immediately following the 2 p.m. rehearsal)

After the last graduation rehearsal on Friday, May 17, you'll gather between Fine Arts and Netzer Administration to line up for your second Pass Through the Pillars experience. If you are 21 or older and would like to participate in the Champagne Toast event following Pass Through the Pillars, bring your license or state ID to be checked during line up.

As freshmen, you officially joined the Oneonta community by literally following in the footsteps of your predecessors and walking between the historic pillars of Old Main and toward a welcoming crowd. Now, you will walk the opposite way through the pillars --with friends, family and faculty cheering you on -- away from the hub of campus and into the next phase of your life.

Pass Through the Pillars ends with a champagne toast at the academic quad. The rain location will be Chase Gymnasium.

Check your Oneonta email for instructions on where graduates should check in, arrival times, etc.
All graduates and guests are invited to attend a reception in tents on the academic quad immediately after your ceremony to enjoy refreshments and mingle with faculty and friends.

Take it all in! Look for our special graduation Snapchat filters and be sure to tag us in pictures and videos using #oneontagrad.