Commencement 2025
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Suffolk County Community College! Our commencement ceremonies are an opportunity for you to be recognized for your hard work and achievement by your family, friends, guests and the entire college community.
This year, Suffolk County Community College will host two commencement ceremonies on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Commencement exercises will take place at 10:00 a.m. and again at 2:00 p.m. in the Field House of the Suffolk Credit Union Arena on the Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood. In the event one of the ceremonies reaches full capacity, graduates will be directed to RSVP for the alternate ceremony time.
Steps for Graduating:
- All students must submit one application for graduation, whether or not they plan to attend the ceremony. The last date to apply for graduation and have your name listed in the graduation program is April 1st.
- Once you submit your application for graduation, then you can request your tickets for the graduation ceremony.
- After you secure your tickets for the ceremony, you can order your regalia (cap and gown) online or purchase directly from the campus bookstore.
If you have any questions, please reach out via email to commencement@sunysuffolk.edu.
Commencement Rehearsal
Graduates are invited to participate in Commencement Rehearsal on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the Fieldhouse of the Suffolk Credit Union Arena on the Michael J. Grant Campus. Ceremony information will be reviewed during the rehearsal.
Commencement Ceremony Tickets
Starting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 12 p.m. (noon) all graduates can select the ceremony they prefer to attend, and to print one graduate ticket and up to four complimentary guest tickets via the online ticket portal. You must also file your application for graduation before you can access your tickets for the graduation ceremony. Tickets are available on a first-come/first-served basis with limited tickets for each ceremony.
Each person (including the graduate) who plans on attending the ceremony MUST have a ticket. Tickets are NOT automatically reserved for each graduate, as not all graduates attend the ceremony. Therefore, each graduate MUST print their own graduate ticket and can print up to a maximum of four (4) guest tickets.
Prior to The Ceremony
Regalia (cap, gown, hood and tassel) may be pre-ordered online starting today through April 25, 2025. Orders will ship to your home approximately two weeks from the date of the order.
Regalia can be purchased in person through the campus bookstores beginning on April 17, 2025.
The cost for the Associate Degree regalia package is $43.75+ tax. If you do not need to purchase the complete regalia set, individual pieces are available. You may use cash, Follett gift card, personal check, or debit/credit card with photo ID as your payment options.
The last opportunity to purchase regalia from the bookstore is Wednesday, May 19, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). After that date, sizes cannot be guaranteed.
Commencement Day
Morning Commencement exercises will begin on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Graduates should report to the lobby of the Suffolk Federal Credit Union Arena on the Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood no later than 9:00 a.m. and will be directed to their designated robing area.
Afternoon Commencement exercises will begin on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Graduates should report to the lobby of the Suffolk Federal Credit Union Arena on the Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood no later than 1:00 p.m. and will then be directed to their designated robing area. Please do not leave valuables in the robing areas; robing areas will not be locked.
The commencement ceremonies will be streamed live online at www.sunysuffolk.edu.
Important Safety and Security Information
Out of respect for fellow graduates, please remain seated until the completion of the ceremony; this includes refraining from leaving your seat to take pictures and departing before the ceremony ends. Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, students should arrange to meet their family and friends outside of the building in order to avoid crowding within the facility. In accordance with New York State and Suffolk County fire code, no balloons will be permitted in the facility.
Disability Accommodations
Any student who will require accommodations in order to attend and fully participate should contact the Office of Disability Services. Our facilities are wheelchair accessible and an interpreter will be signing throughout the ceremony. Handicapped parking is limited and drivers are encouraged to arrive early. If you have a guest who will need accommodations, please have them contact Disability Services: (631) 451-4045.
For graduation, only service animals will be allowed on campus. Emotional support animals will not be permitted. Thank you for your cooperation!
Family Accommodations
NOTE: Strollers or infant carriers are not allowed in the seating area. Strollers/carriers brought into the ceremony building will need to be brought to the stroller parking area provided under the bleachers. Please remember that infants/toddlers must have a ticket to attend the ceremony, even if they are sitting on a lap. Also note that graduates are restricted from carrying infants or bringing small children with them as they come to the stage and receive their diploma cover.
Additional Information
Photographs:
A professional photographer has been retained to take individual photos of you as you receive your diploma. The photographer will correspond with you directly, approximately one week after commencement. You are under no obligation from the college to purchase these photos. Special areas have been designated outside for you to take photos after the ceremony.
Alumni Association:
All graduates are members in the college's Alumni Association upon graduation.
Diplomas:
You will receive the cover for your diploma on the day of commencement. Approximately 8-12 weeks following your graduation date, your diploma will be mailed to the address indicated on your Application for Graduation.
Flowers and Tee Shirts:
There will be a vendor selling flowers and Class of 2025 T-shirts located at both the front and back entrances to the Field House before and after both ceremonies. Flowers and shirts can be pre-ordered here and picked up at the flower tent on Commencement day.
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still apply for graduation after the April 1st deadline?
A: Yes, but your name will not be included in the Commencement brochure.
Q: I just submitted my graduation application. Why is it saying I can't access my tickets?
A: There is typically a 24-hour turnaround time between when you apply for graduation and when you can access tickets. Applications need to be entered and reviewed manually.
Q: How long does the ceremony last?
A: Each ceremony is approximately 2 hours long.
Q: Can I buy extra tickets?
A:No, the college does not sell graduation tickets. Additional guests can view the livestream of the ceremony.
Q: I just need one more ticket.
A: Each graduate can receive up to four tickets until the venue reaches capacity. There are no additional tickets.
Q: If a child/baby sits on someone's lap, do they need a ticket or does that count as one of the guest tickets?
A: Yes, each ticket goes with each individual attending the ceremony, not necessarily the seat itself.
Q: What if I need special accommodations?
A: If you or your guests require special accommodations, please contact the college's commencement office in advance to make the necessary arrangements - commencement@sunysuffolk.edu.
Q: What happens if I do not attend the ceremony?
A: Attending the Commencement ceremony is not mandatory. All diplomas are mailed to the home address of the student.
Q: I can't make the rehearsal. Will I still be able to walk in the ceremony?
A: Yes, the rehearsal is not mandatory. Everything will be explained on the day of as well. But if you would like a copy of the handout, please email commencement@sunysuffolk.edu.
Q: Can I buy the regalia (cap/gown) from Amazon or another store? Can I wear my regalia from high school so I don't have to buy it again?
A: There is a specific SCCC hood that is only sold with our regalia package. We ask that everyone purchase the college regalia.
Q: Can we decorate our caps?
A: We love when grads are creative with their caps. We've had students in the past use such things to represent their heritage, thank their family and friends, and celebrate their success. You can decorate your cap any way you'd like, but of course do not include anything that does not comply with our Student Code of Conduct. Same with tassels/stoles.
Q: I have one more class to take over the summer. Can I still walk?
A: Yes, all January, May, and August graduates are eligible to walk in the ceremony, as long as they have a graduation application on file.
Q: I just found out I have one more class to take in the Fall. Can I still walk in this ceremony with my friends?
A: Yes, but keep in mind - 1. Your name will be listed in the 2025 brochure while the diploma will not be of the same date, and 2. Your tassel will have 2025 as well.
Q: Am I graduating? Did I pass my classes?
A: All questions about the academic side of graduation or diploma should be directed to central_records@sunysuffolk.edu.