TC3 Commencement Information and Events

Commencement Ceremony

Date/Time/Place

The ceremony will be held Thursday, May 23, 2013 in the athletic facility gymnasium and begin promptly at 6 p.m. Guests should be seated by 5:45 p.m.

Graduates should arrive at 5 p.m. and go directly to The BorgWarner Morse TEC Field House and check in at the academic records table. Please remain in the field house to prepare for procession.

Reception

The graduates will be lead out of the gym following the ceremony directly to the BorgWarner Morse TEC Field House where they are encouraged to attend the reception with family and friends.

Tickets

Graduates who return their response card by Friday, April 26 and indicate they will be participating in the ceremony will be issued up to four guest tickets.

Tickets are NOT mailed. Tickets may be picked up in the Office of External Relations (room 200) from May 6 to 22, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.).

If you are unable to pick up your tickets during these hours, please contact Joyce Burk at 607.844.8222, Ext. 4224 to make special arrangements.

If you are not planning to attend, please let us know. This will help ensure we can accommodate those wishing to participate in the ceremony.

Please notify your guests that seating begins at 5 p.m. They must arrive prior to 5:45 p.m. to be assured a seat.

Commencement Information Events Brochure

Didn't get a commencement information events brochure in the mail? You can download the reply card. Print it, fill it out, and mail it back to us at Tompkins Cortland Community College, Mail Code 173, PO Box 139, 170 North St., Dryden, NY 13053-0139 or drop off in room 200, External Relations.

You will need Adobe Reader to view this brochure. If you don't have Reader, you can download a free copy.

Caps & Gowns

Each graduate is provided a cap and gown at no cost.* The cap and gown belong to the graduate and do not need to be returned after the ceremony. To pick up your cap and gown, bring your TC3 Card to the TC3 Bookstore during the hours listed below. You do not need to pre-order your size; there are ample quantities of each size.

May 6-10

• Monday-Thursday
  8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Friday
  8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

May 13-18

• Monday-Thursday
  8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Friday
  8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Saturday
  10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

May 20-23

• Monday-Tuesday
  8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Wednesday-Thursday
  8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Pick up your gown early and iron it or hang it at home so the wrinkles will “fall out.”

* The cost of cap and gown was included in your matriculation fee.

Note: Other graduation-related items (class rings, announcements, diploma frames, etc.) are available for purchase at the TC3 Bookstore.

Guest Seating With Ticket

The ceremony will be held in the athletic facility gymnasium. The doors to the guest seating area will open at 5 p.m. Please notify your guests they must arrive prior to 5:45 p.m. to be assured a seat. This area is general admission seating, with the majority in bleachers. Tickets do not correspond to a particular seat.

Assembly & Lineup

Please be ready for assembly by 5:15 p.m. Ushers and signs will direct you to the robing area (The BorgWarner Morse TEC Field House). You will be given further instructions there.

Parking

Parking is available in lots 1-6. The closest parking to the athletic facility entrance is lot 5. There is a drop-off area in front of the entrance.

Photography

Island Photography, a company specializing in graduation photos, will take pictures of each graduate as they cross the stage. Within 48 hours after commencement, you will be e-mailed a secure link and a PIN to view and order your photos (purchase is optional). The link will be sent to your TC3 e-mail address. You can also register other e-mails, including friends and family so that they will receive a direct link to your proofs. Register e-mails at the Island Photography website. All inquiries should be made to Island Photography at 800.869.0908.

Diplomas

During the ceremony, you will receive a blank scroll. Actual diplomas will be available in the academic records office Monday, July 8 through Friday, July 19 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Photo ID required. Diplomas not picked up by July 19 will be mailed to your permanent address. Students who still have outstanding financial obligations to the College will not be able to receive their diploma.

Clothing

All graduates will wear the cap and gown available at the TC3 Bookstore see previous page). It is best to wear lightweight clothing underneath.

Personal Belongings

There is no designated place to leave personal belongings or valuables during the ceremony. All items should be carried with you or given to a friend or family member for safe keeping.

Phi Theta Kappa Members

As a member of Phi Theta Kappa, you may wear a PTK stole and other PTK regalia at your graduation ceremony. These items are available online at PTK.org.

Honors Graduates

Students graduating with honors will receive their gold tassel on graduation night during the assembly and lineup. To graduate with honors, students must have earned a minimum of 30 credits at TC3 and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20.

Achievement Cords

These cords signify on-campus student leaders, including members of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges, SUNY Chancellor’s award recipients, officers in student clubs, athletic team captains, and exceptional graduates. These students are nominated selected by their peers or by College staff as a result of their involvement.

Sustainability Studies Designation

Students fulfilling the requirements for Sustainability Studies Designation will receive special recognition. The Sustainability Studies Advisory Committee will directly contact the students eligible for this recognition.

Child Care

Child care is available during the graduation ceremony from 5 - 9 p.m.
Children must be at least 12 months of age. Pre-registration is required.
Contact the TC3 Child Care Center (room 102) at 607.844.8222, Ext. 4477, before Thursday, May 16.

Special Needs

If you and/or your guests require any special accommodations (wheelchair space, unable to climb stairs, etc.), please note on your RSVP card or contact the Office of External Relations at 607.844.8222, Ext. 4224.

Flowers

Flowers for graduates will be available for purchase outside the athletic facility prior to the ceremony. Proceeds from sales will benefit Phi Theta Kappa.

BALLOONS ARE NOT ALLOWED inside the athletic facility. They may inadvertently cause activation of the College’s fire detection/alarm systems.

Project Graduation: Feed a Body; Feed a Mind

Help community outreach agencies and literacy organizations combat continual shortages. Bring non-perishable food items and books to graduation activities or drop them off at designated locations on campus. All items collected will be donated locally. Together, we can all feed a body and feed a mind.

Questions

If you have questions or concerns, please contact:
Joyce Burk, External Relations Assistant
607.844.8222, Ext. 4224 or e-mail
Commencement@TC3.edu