Dear ESF Community,
We continue to plan for Commencement May 15th, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater on Onondaga Lake in Syracuse.
New York State health guidelines permit our graduates to invite two guests to commencement. To accommodate our graduates and guests, ESF will hold two separate commencement ceremonies.
The morning ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and will include the departments of Sustainable Resources Management, Environmental Studies, Environmental Resources Engineering, Landscape Architecture, and Sustainability. The front gates will open at 9 a.m. for a health check screening. Guests will be asked to exit immediately following the ceremony to allow for staff to prepare for the afternoon commencement.
The afternoon ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. and will include the departments of Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Biology, and Environmental Science. The front gates will open at 1 p.m. for the health check screening.
On May 2, Student Affairs will send eligible graduating students a digital Commencement Registration form. Students will be responsible for registering themselves and up to two guests to attend their designated ceremony. Guest tickets are not transferable and guests are not able to self-register. This form is needed for the required health screening and is in addition to the Undergraduate Application for Graduation form, due to the Registrar’s Office by Friday, April 30.
Our goal in pre-registering graduates and guests is to ensure we have a smooth and speedy entrance into the Amphitheater. Students and guests who send proof of vaccinations dated 5/1/21 or earlier will have access to a fast-pass lane at the Amphitheater. It will be the most convenient way of entering the facility for commencement.
The alternative will be to provide results of a negative COVID-19 test administered within 72 hours of commencement upon arrival at the Amphitheater on May 15th. We are going to make every effort to move the line along but reviewing and verifying test results will take more time. As such, we hope that by offering the opportunity to pre-register and provide proof of vaccination in advance, attendees can avoid long lines and delays at the front gate.
According to the New York State Health Department, guests who do not provide either proof of vaccine dated no later than 5/1/21 or results of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours will not be permitted to enter the Amphitheater grounds.
We appreciate your patience as we work to provide a memorable and well-deserved ceremony to celebrate your academic accomplishments. We will communicate information as planning continues. Please check the Commencement 2021 website https://www.esf.edu/students/graduation/ for updates and additional information.
I look forward to celebrating with you on May 15th.
Sincerely,
Joanie Mahoney
ESF President
