Family and Friends

Parking
Parking will be available in University Parking lots designated by "Event Parking" signs. Guests should factor 20 minutes into their travel time to secure parking and arrive at the ceremony site.

University-Wide Graduate Ceremony - Saturday [SEFCU Arena] 
Please utilize the SEFCU Arena and Dutch Quad Gold parking lots. A limited number of handicapped parking spaces for vehicles with the appropriate tag will be available in the west arena lot. This is also the drop-off location for guests with mobility issues. A University Police Officer will be present to assist with directions.

University-Wide Undergraduate Ceremony - Sunday [The Entry Plaza Lawn]
Colonial, State and Dutch Quad Gold lots are open to all guests. Collins Circle will be closed to all public traffic on Sunday, no drop-offs allowed. A limited number of handicapped parking spaces for vehicles with the appropriate tag will be available at the State Quad Purple (Faculty) lot.

Shuttle Service
The University will provide free shuttle transportation between the University-Wide Ceremony venues and all outlying parking lots on both Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. 
Saturday: Shuttles will travel between the Dutch Quad Gold lot and the SEFCU Arena both before and after the ceremony. Sunday: Shuttles will service State, Colonial and Dutch Quad parking lots dropping all guests off at the top of Collins Circle, at the Entry Plaza Lawn.

Venue Accessibility
University-Wide Graduate Ceremony - Saturday [SEFCU Arena]
The SEFCU Arena is equipped with accessible restrooms and seating options. A seating area in the arena will be reserved for guests along with 2 escorts. It is recommended that any guest requiring transport via wheelchair bring their own.

University-Wide Undergraduate Ceremony - Sunday [The Entry Plaza Lawn]
A seating area on the Entry Plaza lawn will be reserved for guests with accessibility needs along with 1 escort. Accessible portable toilets will be available near this section. Commencement staff will provide shuttle service via golf cart from the handicapped parking lot to the reserved seating section both before and after the ceremony has concluded. This ceremony is held OUTDOORS, rain or shine. There is no covered viewing area. Guests in need of wheelchairs are encouraged to bring their own.

General Information
Sign language interpreters will be on stage throughout both ceremonies. Commencement staff will not be available to transport guests to individual ceremonies scheduled throughout the course of the weekend. The campus is expansive so if your guest requires a wheelchair, we recommend that you bring one. Students requiring interpreter services at Individual Ceremonies must notify their department in advance. 


Guests with hearing impairments, graduating students who wish to sit in close proximity to the interpreter, and guests and/or graduating students who require wheelchair access or special seating should contact:
Carolyn Malloch by April 16.
The Disability Resource Center
Campus Center 137
Albany, New York 12222
518-442-5490

Photography
The University at Albany will offer the services of a professional photographer at the ceremony. Students will be professionally photographed at the graduate ceremony as they cross and exit the stage, and at the undergraduate ceremony, prior to its start. The photographer will mail proofs to the students’ permanent address, and families will have the option to purchase prints if they wish. The company that will provide this service is Island Photography http://www.islandphoto.com/main/

Flowers & Souvenirs
For your convenience, flowers and UAlbany memorabilia will be available for purchase in the lobby of the SEFCU Arena. Please note, that given the nature of the fire alarm system in place, balloons are not permitted inside the SEFCU Arena.Programs
Official Commencement Programs will be distributed upon entry to the venue. May 2013 degree candidates who have met their degree application deadline will be listed in the program, not those who simply participate. Therefore, students who have not satisfied their graduation requirements, or those who have not had their application approved by the Office of the Registrar by the stated degree deadlines, will not be listed in the program.