Graduation

Congratulations, Graduates!

Graduation will be here before you know it! If you will be attending, please be sure to review this important information about the ceremony.

• The graduation ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 19 at the Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center (formerly the Mid-Hudson Civic Center), 14 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie.

• The doors to the convention center will open at 2:30 p.m. Student lineup starts at 3 p.m. and the ceremony begins promptly at 4 p.m.

• On Saturday, May 14, the CDC Covid-19 Community Level in Dutchess County increased from medium- to high-transmission level. Following CDC recommendations, all students, faculty, staff and guests are now required to wear a mask inside the Convention Center. If you do not bring a mask, one will be provided to you upon entry to the ceremony.

• Graduates and their guests do not need to be vaccinated to attend but will be expected to test themselves on May 19 prior to the ceremony. Graduates will receive rapid tests for themselves and their guests when they pick up their cap and gown. Anyone with a positive test must not attend the ceremony.

• Parking is available in the City of Poughkeepsie municipal lots and there is limited on-street parking. Please check signage for parking terms and fees.

• Handicap parking is available on a first come, first served basis in the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. A DMV-issued handicap parking tag is required to park in that location.

• The ceremony will start promptly at 4 p.m. The doors to the convention center will be locked at when the ceremony begins and guests will not be permitted to enter until the graduate procession is complete.

• The ceremony will be streamed live and archived at sunydutchess.edu/live/.