Commencement

Disclaimer: Schedule subject to change

Baccalaureate Mass:

Friday, May 4, 2012

All faiths are welcome. Students may sit with their families for this event. No tickets are needed for Baccalaureate Mass.

Baccalaureate Mass Attire - Regalia (Gown only). Please join us in celebrating Mass on this special day. All degree candidates (Baccalaureate, Doctoral and Master's) are welcome.

Commencement Ceremony:

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Location:

The Blue Cross Arena
At the Rochester War Memorial
One War Memorial Square
Rochester, New York

Parking:

On-street parking is available throughout the downtown area. Parking is also available in a number of Municipal Garages including:

• Civic Center Garage, 55 S. Fitzhugh St.
• South Ave./Stone St, 39 Stone Street
• Clinton Square Garage, 75 S. Clinton Ave.
• Washington Square Garage, 111 Woodbury Blvd.

View a map of Downtown Rochester Parking [pdf] (includes parking fees).

Seating:

TICKETS ARE NOT REQUIRED. Guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. Only candidates are allowed in the Candidate Seating Areas on the floor.

Special Needs:

Family members with disabilities should follow the directional signs to the upper level handicapped seating areas at the Blue Cross Arena. A floor plan showing general seating areas is available on the Blue Cross Arena website. Any additional questions, you may contact our office at (585) 385-8229.

Graduate's Assembly:

Candidates will enter the Arena at Exchange Street or 1 War Memorial Square (formerly the Broad Street entrance) -both entrances are handicapped accessible - after check in graduates should report to the bottom level of the Arena with cap and gown after you pick up your name card at the designated registration tables. Marshals will direct you to your proper place in the processional lines.

DO NOT BRING VALUABLES WITH YOU TO BE LEFT IN THE MARSHALING AREA. DO NOT BRING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR BALLOONS.

Ceremony:

The ceremony is expected to last between 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Consider that this length of time may be difficult on older adults and young children. Out of respect for fellow classmates and consideration for their families, candidates are expected to remain until the conclusion of the ceremony.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, all graduates and faculty will participate in the recessional leading to the reception area.

Professional Photographer:

Special areas for photography have been arranged in seating areas on either side of the stage a the Blue Cross Area. Look for signs to direct you. Family members are asked to move in and out of these areas quickly in an orderly fashion in order to accommodate others to take pictures of their graduating student.

GradImages is the official photographer for our Commencement. Proofs will be sent to your home and via email within three to five days after graduation. Pictures can be ordered online, by phone or by mail. Graduation Images can be contacted at 800-261-2576 or via email at www.gradimages.com.

Registering your graduate with GradImages provides them with the information they need to deliver your graduation proofs to you in a timely manner. Giving them an accurate mailing address and email address will allow them to get your proofs to you on the first try. You may also provide them with email addresses of up to six friends and family members to allow them to celebrate in the accomplishment.

Flowers:

Fresh flowers will be available for purchase at the St. John Fisher College Commencement Ceremony OR are available for pre-order through CommencementFlowers.com.

Reception:

Following the ceremony, you and your guests are invited to a reception in the outer lobby of Blue Cross Arena. You will be able to pick up your diploma, introduce your guests to faculty, staff, and other students, and take a picture with a Fisher backdrop.

Diploma:

To ensure that every graduate receives the correct diploma, you will be handed an empty diploma case, when you walk across the stage. After the ceremony, if you have completed all your requirements, you will be directed to a central location to pick up your actual diploma.