President's Message

It's only February, but for months planning has been underway for the 2001 Commencement festivities. With the help of a special Commencement Task Force that I commissioned last June and consultations with students campus wide, we have developed a weekend of activities that I hope will truly make Commencement a meaningful and rewarding experience for all graduates and their families.

The information contained in this brochure will serve as an introduction to our Commencement Weekend festivities and will answer many of your questions about what will happen, when and where and what the requirements are for participation. We will be in frequent contact with you throughout the spring 2001 semester with additional information as it becomes available. Commencement is a special time for all of us here at the University, but it means even more to you�our graduates and their families. It represents many years of dedication and study, and we want to help make it a time of joy and celebration, as well as a time to reflect on your achievements. I hope you find this brochure helpful as you make your plans, and I very much look forward to seeing each and every one of you on May 19 and 20.

Karen Hitchcock

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Important Dates

February 9

Deadline for undergraduate and graduate students to apply to graduate.
March 5

Bookstore begins taking orders for Ph.D. regalia rental for students and faculty.
April 9–May 19

Bookstore sells bachelor and master regalia.
April 20

Deadline for doctoral recipients for August and December 2000 and doctoral candidates for spring 2002 to notify Judy Tarullo in the Office of Graduate Studies ([email protected]) of plans to attend Commencement.

April 30

Last day to rent Ph.D. regalia without a late fee.
May 12

Last day to rent Ph.D. caps and gowns through the University Bookstore. (Late fee charged after April 30.)

May 14–May 18

Bookstore distributes Ph.D. rental regalia.
May 25

Rental regalia to be returned to the Bookstore.

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Alcohol Policy

The University at Albany requests the cooperation of all participants and visitors in complying with the policy prohibiting alcoholic beverages at the Commencement ceremonies. Staff will enforce a strict no-alcohol policy at both ceremonies. No one with alcoholic beverages will be allowed to enter or participate in the ceremonies. We ask the cooperation of participants and guests in complying with this policy.

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Commencement Weekend Schedule

SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2001


Tickets are NOT required for any of the Commencement Weekend activities.

Graduate Commencement — 10 a.m., Recreation and Convocation Center (RACC).

Ceremony to confer master�s and doctoral degrees. Graduates should arrive by 9:00 a.m. for assembly in the first-floor lobby of the Physical Education Building. Participants must wear academic regalia. Each degree candidate will be recognized individually.

At all of the following ceremonies, each graduate will be individually recognized. Most ceremonies listed are for undergraduate students while ceremonies for graduate students are noted as such. For detailed information about a particular ceremony, call the number listed for that ceremony.

  • Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs, Noon, Campus Center, Patroon Room.
    Graduate recognition ceremony and reception. Degree candidates should call Pina Smith at 442-5244 for information.

  • Anthropology Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Science Library, Atrium.
    Seniors should call the Anthropology Department at 442-4700 for information.

  • Biology Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Performing Arts Center, Main Theater.
    Seniors should call the Biology Department at 442-4300 for information.

  • Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Performing Arts Center, Studio Theater.
    Seniors should call the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at 442-4140 for information.

  • Computer Science Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Performing Arts Center, Recital Hall.
    Seniors should call the Computer Science office at 442-4270 for information.

  • School of Social Welfare Ceremony, 1 p.m., Page Hall, Auditorium (Downtown Campus).
    Seniors should call Vicky Rizzo at 437-3695 for information.

  • Classics Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Campus Center, Terrace Lounge.
    Seniors should call the Classics Department office at 442-4011 for information.

  • Chemistry Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., CESTM, Auditorium.
    Seniors should call the Chemistry Department office at 442-4400 for information.

  • Mathematics Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Campus Center, Assembly Hall.
    Seniors should call the Mathematics Department office at 442-4602 for information.

  • Africana Studies Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Campus Center 375.
    Seniors should call the Africana Studies office at 442-4730 for information.

  • History Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Campus Center, Ballroom.
    Seniors should call the History Department office at 442-4800 for information.

  • School of Public Health Ceremony, 2 p.m., East Campus.
    Students should call the Dean�s Office at 402-0283 for information.

  • Psychology Department Ceremony, 2 p.m., Recreation and Convocation Center (RACC).
    Seniors should call the Psychology Department office at 442-4827 for information.

  • Sociology Department Ceremony, 4 p.m., Performing Arts Center, Main Theater.
    Seniors should call the Sociology Department office at 442-4690 for information.

  • Geography and Planning Department Ceremony, 4 p.m., Performing Arts Center, Studio Theater.
    Seniors should call the Geography and Planning office at 442-4770 for information.

  • Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department Ceremony, 4 p.m., CESTM, Rotunda.
    Seniors should call the EAS office at 442-4466 for information.

  • School of Information Science and Policy Ceremony, 4 p.m., Campus Center, Assembly Hall.
    This ceremony is for both graduate and undergraduate degree candidates. Seniors should call Fran Reynolds at 442-5110 for information.

  • East Asian Studies Department Ceremony, 4 p.m., RACC, Hall of Fame Room.
    Seniors should call the East Asian Studies office at 442-4117 for information.

  • School of Criminal Justice Graduate Ceremony, 4 p.m., Milne 200 (Downtown Campus).
    Degree candidates should call Karen Silinsky at 442-5214 for information.

  • English Department Ceremony, 5 p.m., RACC.
    Seniors should call the English Department office at 442-4055 for information.

  • Economics Department Ceremony, 5 p.m., Campus Center, Ballroom.
    Seniors should call the Economics Department office at 442-4735 for information.

  • Family Picnic, 3:00 – 7:30 p.m., Podium.

    All graduates and their families are invited to be President Hitchcock�s guests at a family picnic on the podium beginning at 3 p.m. Various kinds of food and beverages will be provided. We encourage you to bring lightweight chairs and plan to stay for Torch Night, which will follow the picnic.

  • Torch Night, 8:30 p.m., Podium.

    Our traditional Torch Night Ceremony, newly redesigned and enhanced, will begin at 8:30 p.m. on the Podium. All Juniors and Seniors and the families of graduates are encouraged to attend. Torch Night will end with a gala fireworks display.

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SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2001


University-wide Undergraduate Degree-Conferral Ceremony
10 a.m., on the lawn directly behind the Science Library.

All graduating seniors may participate. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10 a.m. and will last for approximately one hour. Many of the individual school ceremonies that follow the undergraduate ceremony will be held at locations within a short walk of the library lawn. University shuttles will be available for those who need rides back to their cars. There will be ample time to get to the school ceremonies following the undergraduate degree-conferral ceremony.

  • Graduates should arrive by 9 a.m. to begin assembling in either Dutch or Indian Quad cafeteria. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10 a.m. Detailed instructions will be sent to you in early May.

  • Participants must wear proper academic regalia.

  • Guests should plan to arrive between 8 and 9 a.m. Guests will not be allowed into the seating area before 8 a.m. In order to allow graduates to bring as many family members as they wish, we will not require tickets for the undergraduate ceremony. While seating will be limited, we expect to have enough seats for everyone. However, without tickets, we will not be able to predict the number of guests, so we recommend that you arrive as early as possible if seats are of great importance to you. There will be space to the east and west of the main seating area for those who prefer to stand or bring their own lightweight chairs. Please allow 10–15 minutes to get from your car to the ceremony site.

  • A limited number of seats will be reserved for handicapped individuals and two family members. If you require seating in the handicapped area, please contact Clarence McNeill in the Office of Residential Life no later than April 27, 2001.

  • The ceremony will be held outdoors, rain or shine.

  • Graduates and their families should designate a place to meet after the ceremony.

At all of the following undergraduate ceremonies, each graduate will be individually recognized. For detailed information about a particular ceremony, call the number listed for that ceremony.

  • School of Business Ceremony, 1 p.m., RACC.
    Doors will open for guest seating at noon. Seniors should call the Office of Student Services at 442-4961 for information.

  • School of Criminal Justice Ceremony, 1 p.m., Performing Arts Center, Main Theater.
    Seniors should call Karen Silinsky at 442-5214 for information.

  • Art, Music and Theater Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Performing Arts Center, Recital Hall.
    Seniors should call the Art Department at 442-4020 for information.

  • Communication Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Campus Center, Ball room.
    Seniors should call the Communication office at 442-4871 for information.

  • Judaic Studies Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Campus Center 375.
    Seniors should call the Judaic Studies office at 442-4130 for information.

  • Latin American and Caribbean Studies Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Art Museum.
    Seniors should call the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Office at 442-4890 for information.

  • Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs Ceremony, 1 p.m., Page Hall Auditorium (Downtown Campus).
    Seniors in Political Science should call Ellie Leggieri at 442-5255 for information. Seniors in Public Affairs should call Dori Brown at 442-5258.

  • Philosophy Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Campus Center, Terrace Lounge.
    Seniors should call the Philosophy Depart ment at 442-4250 for information.

  • Physics Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., CESTM, Rotunda.
    Seniors should call the Physics Department office at 442-4500 for information.

  • Women�s Studies Department Ceremony, 1 p.m., Performing Arts Center, Studio Theater.
    Seniors should call the Women�s Studies office at 442-4220 for information.

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Maps and Directions


Uptown Campus

Map of Uptown Campus
click on map for larger image (98K)
From the north:
Take the Northway (I-87) south to Exit 1E onto I-90 east (Albany/Boston), then Exit 2 (Washington Avenue), which leads right into the University at Albany.

From the south:
Take the Thruway (I-87) north to Exit 24. After the toll booths, go onto I-90 east toward Boston to Exit 2 (Washington Avenue), which leads right into the University at Albany.

From the east:
Take I-90 west (toward Buffalo) to Exit 2 (Fuller Road). Turn left onto Fuller Road and take the next left (Washington Avenue). The University at Albany will be on your right. Turn right into the campus at the first entrance.

From the west:
Take the Thruway (I-90) east to Exit 24. After the tollbooths, go onto I-90 east toward Boston to Exit 2 (Washington Avenue), which leads right into the University at Albany.


Downtown Campus

Map of Downtown Campus
click on map for larger image
From the South:
I-87 (Thruway) to Exit 24; I-90 East to Exit 2; Turn left onto Washington Avenue, for approximately 3 miles to Robin Street. Make a right on Robin and go to Western Avenue. Turn right on Western Avenue, Rockefeller College is on your right.

From the West:
I-90 (Thruway) to Exit 24; I-90 East to Exit 2; Left onto Washington Avenue for approximately 3 miles to Robin Street. Make a right on Robin and go to Western Avenue. Turn right on Western Avenue, Rockefeller College is on your right.

From the North:
I-87 (Northway) to Exit 1; I-90 East to Exit 2; Turn left onto Washington Avenue, for approximately 3 miles to Robin Street. Make a right on Robin and go to Western Avenue. Turn right on Western Avenue, Rockefeller College is on your right.

From the East:
I-90 West (to Buffalo) to Exit 2; Left onto Fuller Road; left onto Washington Avenue for approximately 3 miles to Robin Street. Make a right on Robin and go to Western Avenue. Turn right on Western Avenue, Rockefeller College is on your right.


East Campus

Map of East Campus
click on map for larger image
The School of Public Health is located on the East Campus

Area map encompassing the Uptown, Downtown, and East Campuses


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Free University Shuttle Bus

The University at Albany will provide free bus transportation from various parking lots on campus to locations closer to the scheduled ceremonies all day Saturday and from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. A map with shuttle stops and approximate pick-up and drop-off times will be sent to you prior to Commencement Weekend.

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Access for Disabled Guests and Students

Most University buildings are handicapped accessible. Handicapped accessible rest rooms, telephones and drinking fountains are available in each building. The University's undergraduate ceremony will be held outdoors, with a section of seats set aside for disabled guests and two family members. Wheelchairs will be available if requested in advance. The front entrance of the Recreation and Convocation Center, where the graduate ceremony will be held, provides parking and access for wheelchair users.

A sign-language interpreter will be provided at both the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies. Sign-language interpreters will be provided at the individual school/department ceremonies only if requested. Hearing impaired guests who wish seating in close proximity to the signer and guests requiring wheelchairs, wheelchair access and/or special seating should contact Clarence McNeill or Karen Acosta at the Department of Residential Life, State Quadrangle U-Lounge, University at Albany, Albany, New York 12222 (518/442-5875) by April 27, 2001. (They will not be able to arrange special seating, wheel chairs or sign-language interpreters for the individual school/department ceremonies. To request such arrangements for an individual school/department ceremony, please call the department number listed in the detailed schedule in this brochure.)

Disabled students who plan to participate in Commencement ceremonies should contact the Office of Disabled Student Services (518/442-5490) well in advance so arrangements can be made for reasonable accommodations.

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Eligibility

All students who received degrees in August or December of 2000 and all candidates for degrees in May 2001 are invited to the May 19th and 20th Commencement ceremonies.

Graduate students must apply to graduate by February 9th through the Registrar's Office and must complete all degree requirements by May in order to participate.

Undergraduate students must apply to graduate by February 9th through the Registrar's Office. Undergraduates who demonstrate to the Office of the Registrar that they will complete all degree requirements and graduate in August 2001 must submit a degree application for Summer 2001 to participate in the May ceremonies.

The academic records of undergraduate students who have applied for spring graduation will be reviewed by the Registrar's Office. Those candidates whose cumulative records and current courses do not appear to meet all requirements for the degree will be notified as quickly as possible to permit correction before Commencement. Degrees are not awarded until after final clear ance when Spring 2001 grades have been recorded.

Degrees are awarded after final clearance, pending the satisfactory completion of the final term of study and/or fulfillment of all academic requirements. Candidates who fulfill all requirements for the degree may expect to receive their diplomas and final transcripts through the mail by early July. Candidates who have failed to complete all academic requirements by May or who have other matters requiring resolutions will be notified in June. Undergraduates who have any unresolved grades (incompletes or missing grades) will not be cleared for the degree.

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Caps and Gowns

The above prices do not include 8% sales tax on rentals or 4% sales tax on purchases.

Congratulations and good luck to the Class of 2001 from the entire Bookstore staff!

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PROGRAMS

Commencement Programs, listing August and December 2000 graduates and May 2001 degree candidates who applied by the deadline, will be distributed at the commencement ceremonies. The Registrar�s Office will be happy to mail a Commencement Program upon request to those who are listed therein but who are unable to attend the May ceremonies. Requests should be made to the Registrar, Campus Center B-25, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222, ATTN: Commencement Program.

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Questions?

Ceremony 518/442-9079
Degree eligibility:     
   Undergraduate Call your academic advisor
   Graduate 518/442-3980
Caps/Gowns
   (Bookstore)
518/442-5695
Picnic 518/442-5310
Torch Night 518/442-5566
Disabled Access 518/442-5875

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Commencement Volunteers

In order to make Commencement weekend happen, we need you and your expertise! The hundreds of volunteers we�re recruiting are crucial to the success of the weekend. We are looking for volunteers in the following areas:

  • Graduate and Undergraduate Ceremonies
    (ushers, escorts, student lineup/procession, faculty robing/lineup, and more)
  • Family Picnic
  • Torch Night
  • Information booths throughout campus
  • Individual school ceremonies

As a special thank you, all volunteers will receive a commemorative shirt prior to the weekend. We will also hold a thank-you party in the weeks following Commencement!

We urge you to read the memo and fill out the attached form* with your area of interest for the weekend. The form should be returned to Christy DeLaMater, Academic Events Coordinator, as soon as possible. She can be reached by phone at 1-8626, by fax at 2-5839 or by email at [email protected].

*If you are not able to read the Adobe Acrobat form and would like a "hard copy" form mailed to you, please contact Christy DeLaMater at the number listed above.

Thank you in advance for your support!


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Alumni Association Class of 2001 Special Membership Offer

As you embark upon your new role as a member of the vast network of more than 100,000 University at Albany alumni, please accept our heartiest congratulations in recognition of your accomplishment! We are also pleased to present you with a complimentary one-year membership in the University at Albany Alumni Association. You need only to complete the enclosed form and return it to us at the address indicated. Soon after graduation, you will receive a special wallet-sized membership card that will not expire until July 31, 2002.

Staying connected to the University at Albany Alumni Association will assure that you receive the Albany magazine and other programs, services and benefits such as information on the Career Advisory Network, access to the UAlbany On-Line Community (which includes a permanent e-mail service) and discounts on our alumni collection of merchandise. We also have several active alumni constituent and regional groups that you may be interested in learning more about. This special offer applies to all degree recipients, both undergraduate and graduate.

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