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Dear Class of 2021,

Parking and transportation instructions, information about the entry process to SPAC, details about the ceremony, and notes about the rain plan all follow below. Please note that even if vaccinated, all graduating students must test twice this week, on Monday, May 17, and Thursday, May 20, and provide proof of negative test results in order to gain entry to SPAC on the day of Commencement (details below, under Entry Process). 

Additional Commencement information may be found on the 2021 . Please contact the Office of Alumni Relations and College Events by phone at ext. 5670, or by email at CollegeEvents@skidmore.edu, with any additional questions you may have.

Commencement Schedule

Date: Saturday, May 22, 2021
Location: Saratoga Performing Arts Center Amphitheater (SPAC)
9 a.m. - All gates to SPAC open
10 a.m. - BA/BS candidates should go directly to their assigned seats; Students must be in seats.
10:30 a.m. - Faculty form lines for processional
10:40 a.m. - Commencement exercises begin 

Parking and Transportation

The gates at SPAC will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, May 22, and we encourage everyone to allow ample time to complete the entry process due to the COVID-19 protocols and screening process detailed below.

All students are required to park in the Route 50 parking lot at SPAC. When you arrive at SPAC, go directly to the main entrance.

Buses will be available for those who need transportation to and from SPAC. Buses will depart Case Center at 8:45 a.m., 9 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Following the recessional and the conclusion of Commencement, please go directly to the buses in the Route 50 parking lot.

Tickets

TICKETS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY.

Graduating seniors may pick up their tickets to Commencement as part of the distribution of cords and stoles that will take place under the tent located on Upper South Park, in accord with the following schedule:

• Wednesday, May 19 from 3 to 5 p.m., last names A-H
• Thursday, May 20 from 9 to 11:30 a.m., last names I-N
• Thursday, May 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., last names O-T
• Thursday, May 20 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., last names U-W
• Thursday, May 20 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., last names X-Z

Any remaining tickets will be taken to SPAC and placed at the will-call table at the Route 50 entrance to SPAC, where students may pick them up beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, May 22.

Honors

Academic cords, department and program honors, College honors, and other cocurricular cords and stoles will be available for students to pick up after 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, under the tent located on Upper South Park.

Graduating students can pick up their honors along with their Commencement tickets, according to the Commencement ticket distribution schedule outlined above (See Tickets).

Entry Process

THE FOLLOWING COVID-19 PROTOCOLS MUST BE FOLLOWED FOR ENTRY TO SPAC.

Even if vaccinated, ALL graduating students must test twice this week, on Monday, May 17, and Thursday, May 20. Students must show negative test results from these tests in order to participate in Commencement on Saturday.

As part of the entry process, you will need to: 

• Undergo a mandatory temperature check.
• Present your Skidmore ID and your entry ticket, and show cleared status in CoVerified/proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours, or a completed vaccination card, or the New York State Excelsior Pass. (For showing your cleared CoVerified status, it may be helpful to take a screenshot, in case of internet issues at SPAC.)
• You will also need to complete the SPAC certification form within 24 hours of entry. A link to the form will be sent to you via email on Friday, May 21 and MUST be completed prior to arrival at SPAC on Saturday, May 22. 
• Masks are required at all times while at SPAC, and hand-sanitizing stations will be available in several locations throughout the grounds. 

Rehearsal video

To provide a window into what you can expect when you arrive at SPAC on the morning of Commencement, Raymi Ramirez 鈥�21 and Shawn Sharifi 鈥�21 of the Commencement Logistics Working Group take you through the arrival and entry process and the ceremony proceedings in this rehearsal video.

Outline of the Commencement Ceremony

I.

Processional of Faculty and Platform Party will enter the amphitheater while the bagpipers perform from their location on the concrete apron, just outside the amphitheater. The bagpipers will not be part of the processional due to COVID-19 protocols that will be in place.

*Grand Marshal for Commencement will be Janet Sorensen, associate professor and chair, Art Department.  

II.

Call to Celebration, Remarks, and Presentation of Honorary Degrees

III.

Presentation of BA and BS Candidates

• Dean of the Faculty and Vice President of Academic Affairs Michael Orr will present the candidates for the BA and BS degrees. The BA and BS candidates stand, and Dean Orr presents the degrees to President Conner. He will then say, 鈥淕raduates, please move your tassels from right to left and approach the stage.鈥� At that time tassels, are shifted from right to left on your cap.
• The first row of BA/BS candidates will then move to the stairs at audience right, remaining 6 feet apart (staff will direct). Remaining rows may be seated until your row is directed to stand.
• As your row approaches the stage stairs, please make sure you have the phonetic pronunciation card that was affixed to your seats so you may provide it to the readers. Professor Grace Burton or Professor Jeffrey Segrave will read your name and you will proceed directly across the stage to receive your diploma case from President Conner. A photograph by GradImages Studios will be taken as you are crossing the stage. 
• Continue across the stage to greet the president of the Alumni Association, Rob Resnick 鈥�88. Please stop at the bottom of the stairs for one more photograph with the Skidmore banner as a background and then return to your assigned seat. 
• When prompted by staff, the first person in each row should rise when the last person from the previous row reaches the foot of the stairs. All others in the row should stand as soon as the first person in their row stands. This procedure will maintain a continuous line of candidates approaching and crossing the stage.
• For students seated in the balcony, we鈥檒l follow the same procedure as above. The first person in each row should rise when the last person from the previous row reaches the foot of the stairs. All others in the row should stand as soon as the first person in their row stands. You will walk down the stairs on the right side of the balcony and proceed down the aisle in the amphitheater lower level to the stage stairs. 

IV.

Closing Remarks and Performance of the Alma Mater

V.

Recessional

• Immediately following the performance of the alma mater, the bagpipers will begin to play at the concrete apron, just outside the amphitheater, leading the recessional in the same marching order, only reverse. (See No. 1). The faculty will form two single lines on the hill, through which the graduates will march. Graduates should continue marching in formation to the top of the hill. 
• Once you reach the top of the hill, you will need to exit SPAC grounds. Please do not congregate with friends or take group pictures. You must maintain 6 feet of social distance from others.

Additional Notes

Restrooms
Restrooms are located at the top of the hill near the concession stands. 

Inclement weather
Please come prepared with proper attire and rain gear if inclement weather is predicted. 

Other activity in Saratoga Spa State Park
The Saratoga ABC Rally at the Saratoga Automobile Museum starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 22. Please plan accordingly, allowing ample time to park and to complete the entry process. 

Additional Commencement information may be found on the 2021 . Please contact the Office of Alumni Relations and College Events at x5670, or by email at CollegeEvents@skidmore.edu, with any questions. 

Congratulations, Class of 2021!