-
Commencement Menu
Commencement
- Commencement Closet
- Ceremony Information
- Eligibility
- FAQ
- Photography
- Program Archive
- Traditions
- Video
Commencement Ceremony Information
Empire State University is pleased to announce that the Spring 2023 Commencement ceremony will be held in person in Albany, Manhattan, and Rochester, NY.
Questions? Visit Commencement FAQ.
Spring 2023 Commencement
Location and Directions
The Spring 2023 Commencement ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the Kodak Center.
The Kodak Center, previously known as the Theater on the Ridge, is located at 200 West Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14615.
Commencement Day Timing
The ceremony will start promptly at 6 p.m., so students should plan to arrive no later than 4:30 p.m.
Students must check in at the registration table and receive a name card. Students will be directed to the line-up area for the processional. Directions for the processional will be given to students when they’re lined up.
The ceremony will last about 2 hours.
Guests
Students are limited to 10 guests per person. Tickets are not required for the commencement ceremony. We will monitor the number of guests the day of commencement.
Please Note: The Kodak Center has some entry protocols and venue restrictions that you and your guests must adhere to. Please make sure your guests are aware.
- No outside food and drinks.
- No helium balloons
- No alcohol, illegal drugs, or marijuana in any form
- No weapons or firearms, including knives and other sharp metallic items (including off-duty law enforcement)
- No strollers
- No animals except service animals
- No smoking or vaping inside the building or within 25 feet of the building outside
ALL PERSONS AND BAGS ARE SUBJECT TO INSPECTION AND ELECTROMAGNETIC WANDING. VIOLATORS ARE SUBJECT TO REMOVAL.
Location and Directions
The Spring 2023 Commencement ceremony will take place on Friday, May 26, at 6 p.m. at the New York City Center.
The New York City Center is located at 131 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019.
Commencement Day Timing
This year, the Manhattan ceremony and Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies ceremony will be combined.
The ceremony will start promptly at 6 p.m., so students should plan to arrive no later than 4:30 p.m.
The entrance for the students will be 131 West 55th Street, the main entrance.
Students must check in at the registration table and receive a name card. Students will be directed to the line-up area for the processional. Directions for the processional will be given to students when they’re lining up.
The ceremony will last about 2 hours.
Guests
Tickets are required for each guest attending the commencement ceremony and guests will be limited to four per student. Information about how to pick up tickets will be sent to students.
Further details to come as the event approaches.
Location and Directions
The Spring 2023 Commencement ceremony will take place on June 4, 2023, at noon, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.
The Empire State Plaza Convention Center is located in the Empire State Plaza, in downtown Albany.
Map of the Empire State Plaza Concourse
Commencement Day Timing
The ceremony will start promptly at noon, so students should plan to arrive no later than 10:30 a.m.
Students must check in at the registration table and receive a name card. Students will be directed to the line-up area for the processional. Directions for the processional will be given to students when they’re lining up.
The ceremony will last about 2 hours.
Guests
Students are limited to 10 guests per person. Tickets are not required for the commencement ceremony. We will monitor the number of guests the day of commencement.
Please check back for updates to this information, as it is subject to change.
Smart Cookies
They're not just in our classes – they help power our website. Cookies and similar tools allow us to better understand the experience of our visitors. By continuing to use this website, you consent to SUNY Empire State University's usage of cookies and similar technologies in accordance with the university's Privacy Notice and Cookies Policy.