Information for Families and Guests

General Seating

Admittance to the ceremony is by general admission; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Graduates are allowed up to six guests each. No saving of seats is allowed. All guests are asked to follow the directives of ushers and security staff. All persons must stay within the roped areas to allow the best visibility for everyone. Please do not block the view of others by standing on chairs or in the aisles.

Tickets

Each graduating student is eligible to reserve up to six (6) tickets to their ceremony. Reservations open in April.

• Tickets must be reserved by the graduate through the Hometown Ticketing system using the graduates CWID as the “passcode.”

Guests cannot reserve their own tickets and should contact their graduate who can distribute tickets by:  

• Forwarding the confirmation email to guests.
• Screenshotting and texting ticket image from confirmation email. 
• Printing individual tickets from the confirmation email and distribute to guests.
• Downloading the Hometown Fan app, linking your email to the app, and transferring tickets via text from the app.

The University will also provide indoor locations around campus that will stream the event for guests who do not have a ticket or for guests who would like to sit inside to view and join their graduate after the ceremony. Indoor viewing locations include McCann Center, Donnelly Hall, Murray Student Center, and Dyson Center. No tickets are required for the indoor viewing areas.

Ceremony Timeline

Undergraduate Commencement (Friday): Guests will be permitted to enter the ceremony site no earlier than 9 a.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive before 10 a.m. The ceremony will begin at 10:15 a.m. and is expected to last about 3.5 hours. This event is rain or shine. 

Graduate Commencement (Thursday): Guest seating will open at 5 p.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive before 5:30 p.m. to allow time for seating prior to the start of the graduate procession at 5:45 p.m. The ceremony is expected to last approximately 90 minutes.

Parking Information

Undergraduate Ceremony (Friday): Guests are encouraged to arrive before 10 a.m. to better ensure a parking space. Parking will be available in lots located on the east and west side of Route 9, in both Marist campus locations. There will be a drop-off location in the Donnelly parking lot accessed from the South entrance. Parking spaces reserved for handicapped accessible parking are for vehicles with handicapped license plates or placards issued by a municipality.

For parking locations, please see the campus map.

Graduate Ceremony (Thursday): Parking is available in the McCann Center and Donnelly parking lots. The McCann Center will open at 5 p.m. for seating. Parking spaces reserved for handicapped accessible parking are for vehicles with handicapped license plates or placards issued by a municipality.

For parking locations, please see the campus map.

Guests in Need of Accommodation

There will be a designated seating section for guests in need of accommodations. Graduating students may request up to two seats through the Hometown Tickets system. The ceremony will be interpreted in sign language for the hearing impaired. For more information on accessibility, click here. 

Livestream and Remote Viewing

Undergraduate Ceremony (Friday): Marist offers climate-controlled, indoor viewing of the Commencement Livestream in the following locations: the McCann Arena, Donnelly Hall, Student Center, and Dyson Center. These locations do not require a ticket. The ceremony can also be viewed online via a livestream here. 

Graduate Ceremony (Thursday): Marist offers climate-controlled, indoor viewing of the Commencement Livestream in the following locations: Donnelly Hall and the Murray Student Center. These locations do not require a ticket.

Photography

Professional photographers from Island Photography (www.islandphoto.com) will photograph all graduates as they both cross and exit the stage. Families can receive Commencement Ceremony proofs quickly and seamlessly when their graduates complete the Selfie Check-In with Island Photography. Click here for more details on how to complete the selfie check-in,  add emails for sharing with family, and confirm contact details.

Due to the large number of people attending Commencement, it is necessary to restrict access to the platform and the graduates’ seating area. Guests will not be able to walk or stand in the aisles to take photographs or video. 

Finding Your Graduate

Use these helpful graduate seating maps to select guest seats closest to your graduate for better photo opportunities and viewing.

Undergraduate Ceremony (Friday):

Graduate Ceremony (Thursday):

Flowers

Flowers and commencement gifts will be available for purchase in the Commencement Courtyard on the quad next to Marian Hall. 

Area Accommodations

For information about Hudson Valley hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants, please click on the links.

Alcohol Policy

Marist Commencements are alcohol and drug-free environments.