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Commencement Eve Entertainment | Checklist | Special Needs | Dual Ceremonies
Commencement
Saturday, May 17, 2008
10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Steele Hall Arena - State University of New York at Fredonia
Dear Parents and Families of the Class of 2008, 
It is with pride and anticipation that we announce SUNY Fredonia's Commencement 2008. On this day, we will join in ceremonies marking the beginning of a new phase in the lives of the students we honor. There is a special place for you as well. Your support and encouragement, expressed in so many ways, was essential to our graduates' success.
The Commencement ceremonies (10 a.m. and 3 p.m. according to academic major) will take place in the arena portion of Steele Hall. Bachelor's, master's and advanced certificate candidates/graduates will be combined in the two ceremonies.
We ask that you discuss with your graduate two important matters that will contribute to making this a great day for everyone. The consumption of alcohol in the arena is neither acceptable nor condoned, and university policy on alcohol consumption will be strictly enforced. Also, please plan your post-Commencement activities so that everyone can remain in the Steele Hall arena until the conclusion of the ceremony.
A professional photographer will take a picture of each graduate shaking hands with the President. Proofs are sent to the graduate's home address for your approval at no obligation. Following the ceremony, you are encouraged to join us at a reception honoring the Class of 2008.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, May 17.
Dennis L. Hefner, Ph.D. Patrick Newell
President, SUNY Fredonia Senior Class President
Important Commencement 2008 Information
- Eligible students include August and December 2007 and January 2008 graduates who did not participate in Commencement 2007, and candidates for bachelors and masters degrees/advanced certificate in May and August 2008.
- Color-coded tickets are required to attend either ceremony, read further on this website for the university's Ticket Policy. It is your responsibility to verify with your graduate his/her assigned ceremony. Tickets will be light blue (arena) and green (video venue) for the morning ceremony, and pink (arena) and yellow (video venue) for the afternoon. We will not honor tickets at the door that are not color-coded for the appropriate ceremony.
- It is anticipated that graduates will be able to receive at least four tickets to the Steele Hall arena. The number of tickets available will be based on the legal and safe seating capacity for the arena, and the university reserves the right to limit the number of tickets distributed for each ceremony. There will also be a sign-up sheet for students to request additional tickets to the arena. Two extra tickets, for viewing live video of the ceremony in the Steele Hall ice rink, may be requested at the same time on a first-come, first-served basis, until seating capacity has been reached. Graduates may only obtain tickets; they will not be given to family members.
- Commencement seating is general admission wooden bleacher seating (no back to the seat) with the exception of a limited amount of Special Needs (handicapped) seating. Needing a seat with a back is a Special Need. Special Needs also includes visual and hearing impaired guests. Please use the form on this website to request seating for a family member with such needs. Only one family member (or attendant) will be permitted to accompany the person in the Special Needs seating section, the rest must sit in general seating. Special Needs seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and must be reserved in writing by Friday, May 2.
- The afternoon ceremony will begin promptly at 3 p.m. We ask that families attending the morning ceremony vacate the arena as soon as possible at the conclusion of the ceremony so that we may prepare the arena for the afternoon.
- Commencement information will also be distributed to graduates/potential candidates in booklet form and on this website.
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Parking and Bus Service for Commencement
We realize that the majority of our Commencement guests will be parking in areas requiring some walking to the arena. We will be providing bus service to assist guests from parking areas to Steele Hall. As indicated earlier on the website, the ceremonies will be held in the Steele Hall arena, and the video venue will be located in the ice rink in Steele Hall.
When arriving, guests will be directed to parking areas throughout campus and bused to the entrances of the Steele Hall facility. Arriving early on campus is strongly suggested; doors to all venues will open at 8:45 a.m. for the morning ceremony and at 2 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony. We encourage those living in the local area to arrive early as well.
With the exception of those holding permits for Special Needs (handicapped) parking, there will be limited parking available in the immediate Dods/Steele hall area.
Following each ceremony and after the President's reception in the Dods Hall grove, a bus will be available to transport guests back to parking areas.
Paramount in our planning is the knowledge that this is a very special day for graduates and their guests, and the entire SUNY Fredonia family is working to create a safe, enjoyable and memorable event.
Please direct questions or concerns in writing to the Commencement Committee, c/o Campus Life Office, Williams Center, SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia, NY 14063.
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Commencement Ticket Policy
The members of the Commencement Committee and the University President have established the following policy on the distribution of tickets for Commencement.
- Commencement tickets are not considered a saleable commodity; they are free to degree candidates. Concurrent degree students (i.e. those receiving two bachelor's degrees during the same semester) are entitled to one set of tickets. All students must show a photo I.D. when they pick up their tickets at the designated area in the Williams Center.
Tickets will be given only to students, not family members.
- Students who do not plan to participate in Commencement should not pick up tickets.
- Commencement tickets may not be sold. Offenders will be referrred to the university's Judicial system, and records will be held until any penalties are satisfied.
- Students who pick up tickets for Commencement are not entitled to tickets for another Commencement at a later date unless they are obtaining another degree; i.e. bachelor's graduates are entitled to tickets if they have earned a master's degree (or advanced certificate) and plan to participate in Commencement.
- Students who have picked up tickets for Commencement,and,because of unforeseen circumstances do not plan to use them, must return the tickets to the Committee Chairperson in the Campus Life Office for redistribution. These students will not be eligible to receive tickets for a later Commencement if they have not returned the first set of tickets.
- Tickets will be color-coded for each ceremony, morning and afternoon, as will be reader cards for degree candidates. Students should make sure family members are aware of which ceremony they will be attending.
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Commencement Eve Entertainment
Are you "In the Mood" for an evening of Big Band classics? Then King Concert Hall is the place to be on Friday, May 16, at 8 p.m.
The Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center at the SUNY Fredonia will continue a campus tradition by hosting the annual Commencement Eve Pops Concert as the final event in the 2007-2008 DFT Communications Pops Series sponsored by the Fredonia and Cherry Creek Penny Savers. All seats are reserved, and due to the popularity of the event, early ticket purchase is recommended.
The theme is "Big Band Classics." Accompanied by the Little Apple Big Band, top vocalists from the SUNY Fredonia School of Music and Department of Theatre and Dance will perform songs from Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, the Andrews Sisters and other greats of the Big Band era.
Tickets are $25 each and are available at the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center. You may order online or by telephone with Viisa or MasterCard. For online orders, go to www.fredonia.edu/tickets. There is no service fee for online orders. For telephone orders, call (716) 673-3501 or toll-free at 1-866-441-4928. A nominal fee of $1.50 per ticket applies to telephone orders. Requests will be filled with the best available seats at the time the order is received, and tickets will be held at the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office until 5 p.m. on the day of the performance. Unclaimed tickets will then be available for pickup at King Concert Hall beginning at 7 p.m. that evening.
The SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office is open during the spring semester on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m.
Commencement Flowers
The Commencement Committee announces that fresh cut flowers will be available for purchase at the main entrance to the natatorium on the day of Commencement. A large variety of sizes, colors and products will be available. To pre-order flowers via e-mail, see the website at www.commencementflowers.com/flowers_catalog/index.php?id=SFR10
This link does not represent an endorsement by SUNY Fredonia. It is provided as a service to our Commencement families and guests.
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Commencement Photos
The Commencement Committee has arranged for a photo to be taken of your graduate during the Commencement Ceremony. Chappell Studios will provide access to your pictures through the link below. To see your Commencement photo, please register at http://www.gradimages.com/Register.cfm
This link does not represent an endorsement by SUNY Fredonia and there is no obligation to purchase. It is a service provided to our Commencement families and guests.
Family Commencement Checklist
___ Made reservations for hotel accommodations.
___ Reminded student graduate to purchase cap/gown and announcements.
___ Mailed Special Needs seating request form before Friday, May 2. The person with a Special Need (handicap) and one family member (or attendant) may accompany them in the Special Needs seating section.
___ Purchased tickets for Commencement Eve Pops Concert, if desired.
___ Determined ahead of time when your student will give you Commencement tickets, as it will be difficult to connect with students in the hour or two prior to each ceremony.
Please direct any questions or concerns in writing to the Commencement Committee, c/o Campus Life Office, Williams Center, SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia, NY 14063.
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"Happy Graduation" Commencement 2008 DVD
SUNY Fredonia will be sending each graduate participant a DVD including both Commencement 2008 ceremonies. Both ceremonies are professional, multi-camera, color broadcasts.
The production features graduates and their friends being congratulated by President Hefner "up close and personal." The DVD is a gift from the Commencement Committee, the Fredonia Alumni Association and the Fredonia College Foundation.
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Information Regarding Special Needs (Handicapped) Seating
SUNY Fredonia is pleased to provide special services for individuals with Special Needs/disabilities. However this seating is first-come, first-served, and must be reserved using this form. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate requests received after Friday, May 2. We will send appropriate instructions regarding access to seating and parking after we receive your form.
Due to limited capacity, only one member of your party will be permitted to accompany the individual with Special Needs in the reserved seating section. Please also note that each entrant into the arena must have his/her own individual ticket. For example, if the disabled person requires an attendant, both persons must have a color-coded ticket for entry.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Request For Special Needs Seating for the Disabled
Name (print): ______________________________________________________________
Graduate's Name: _________________________________
Ceremony you will attend: morning________ afternoon ______
Telephone No. (with area code) ______________________
Address to Send Information: __________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Type of aid needed (please specify if wheelchair space is needed and for how many persons):
Wheelchair space ____ yes ____ (how many)
Scooter space ____ yes ____ (how many)
A sign language interpreter will be available.
Please send this form to Michael Lemieux, Commencement Committee Chair, Office of Campus Life, Williams Center, SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia, NY 14063 by Friday, May 2.
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