NOTICE:  Please check nyit.edu/alerts for updates regarding event cancellations, including commencement and the PA white coat ceremony.

Commencement Tips

WHEN & WHERE

• http://www.nyit.edu/events/commencement/ 

MUST READ (FOR YOU AND YOUR GUESTS)

• NYIT Commencement website: http://www.nyit.edu/events/commencement/ 

• Check out the deadlines!  

  • IMPORTANT 2020 COMMENCEMENT DEADLINES:

    • Apply to graduate by: February 14

    • Apply to be this year’s Student Speaker or Student Singer by: March 6

    • Reserve regalia by: March 31

    • Reserve tickets by: April 30

Source: https://www.nyit.edu/event/commencement/graduating_students

WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING COMMENCEMENT?

Commencement Day is broken into two sections:  The "Big Tent" event and the "Small Tent" event   (SCROLL DOWN FOR THE MAP)

• "BIG TENT" EVENT (COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES):  

  • Held in the largest tent. 

  • Arrive at  8:15 am, already dressed up in your full cap and gown regalia.  

  • After parking, go to the track field near the big tent (the "President's Stadium"). 

  • Guest seating is very limited in the Big Tent and they are all in the back.  Seating is first come first serve, so having a ticket will not guarantee entry.  Once the tent is full, those guests who couldn't get in will be directed to smaller tents in the vicinity, where they will be able to watch the proceedings on big projection screens.

    • Important to know: Your family will not see you, and you will not go onstage. 

  • I am not involved in these arrangements, so my ability to help with anything is extremely limited!

There will be bag pipes, speeches, awards, and plenty of ceremonial traditions.   Then whole groups of students are called upon to stand up at their seats and be conferred their degree. The only students to go on stage would the valedictory speaker(s) and the National Anthem singer(s).  Again, do read the full details of commencement day when they are posted here: http://www.nyit.edu/events/commencement/ 

• "SMALL TENT" EVENT (SCHOOL CEREMONIES):   

  • As soon as the Big Tent event ends (usually around 09:00 am), go IMMEDIATELY to the smaller tent for the School of Health Professions.  Our tent will have a big sign above it indicating "School of Health Professions". 

  • (TO BE UPDATED SOON) Look for your name on the seats.  Click on the following chart to see where your assigned seating is located. 

  • (NOTE:  This is from last year, but I'm leaving it here so you can get an idea.)

• • Those entering the tent late will be forced to sit in a separate area in the back row, instead of with their classmates (this is to avoid disrupting the event).

  • Every student will be called up onstage to receive their "diploma".   When the time arrives for this, every PA graduate will be asked to stand up and proceed in a line to the side of the stage and wait for her/his name to be called. 

  • An official photographer will take a photo of you onstage AND another photo just as you get off stage. Be prepared to pose for that second photo!

  • Unless your parents really want to see the Big Tent ceremony, I would suggest that they arrive early (significantly before 09:00am), and go directly to the School of Health Professions tent to grab the front seats!  As soon as the Big Tent lets people out, there will be a rush for seats.  

  • Wheelchair seating.  If one of your guests will be in a wheelchair, please contact me.  I will be able to reserve 1 wheelchair area seating plus 3 seats for those accompanying.

  • Commencement Map (Click to view a larger map).  This is the map for the last two times commencement was held in Old Westbury.  I will update you if the map is different this year.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I apply for graduation/ order commencement tickets / purchase my cap & gown / get my diploma, etc?

It's very important to read these two pages and be very aware of the strict deadlines! 

(The websites will be updated in these following weeks and months to include the needed information)

• Commencement:  http://www.nyit.edu/events/commencement/

• Graduation:  http://www.nyit.edu/registrar/graduation_diplomas

Questions regarding graduation should be directed to: email registrar@nyit.edu or call 516.686.7694

Questions regarding commencement should be directed to: email commencement@nyit.edu or call 516.686.1177

What should I wear?

• • Your full graduation regalia (cap and gown), along with an honor cord if you're graduating with distinction.   We won't be able to see what you're wearing underneath!

  • Check the commencement website in these following weeks and months for updated information about ordering.   

  • The deadline to ordering your cap and gown is March 31 this year, so be very careful about deadlines and don't procrastinate!

  • Those who are graduating with distinction (CGPA 3.5 or above) should also purchase a silver Honors Cord when picking up their cap and gown.  Just inform the bookstore assistant that you are a graduate student graduating with honors, and they will assist with choosing the correct cord.

  • In addition to the silver honors cord, Alpha Eta inductees may also wear their green & white cord (presented at an earlier ceremony).  Alpha Eta is the School of Health Professions honor society, Those with a CGPA of 3.8 or above by the early May date of the Alpha Eta ceremony will be elected for induction (you will receive an official invitation to the induction ceremony).  Those who attain 3.8 after completing their final semester will be mailed their certificates and cords (unfortunately too late for inclusion in both the induction ceremony or commencement).

Must I come for the Sunday Commencement?

We strongly urge you to attend at least the "Small Tent" event, which takes part later in the morning.  We can't force you, but it will reflect badly on the program, our Chair, and faculty.  If there is a poor showing of PA students, or empty seats, during the "Small Tent event" it will be very noticeable by the Dean and all SHP faculty.

Those who are not attending MUST inform Dr Ahmed by email (copy me) in advance and provide a compelling reason.

Another very important reason to inform us in advance:  your names will be read from a list.   We would like to avoid the awkward situation in which a name is called by Dr Ahmed and nobody walks onstage.

Must I take part in the Big Tent event?

No.  However, it is highly recommended, so as not to miss out on the whole "Commencement" experience, with its pomp and traditions, with your classmates.  I very much enjoyed it when I graduated.  

But, in case you're wondering, no one will know if you're there in the Big Tent or not.  

We will know if you don't show up for the School of Health Professions ("Small Tent") ceremony!    This is the part of the day when you will be called onstage.

Please contact me at pa@nyit.edu for any further questions!

Josephine Freeman