Know Before You Go: Commencement Conduct for Graduates and Guests
Graduates, Friends, and Families,
Kingsborough is thrilled to be sharing this important event with you! The College kindly requests that the excitement of celebrating your academic achievement be expressed in a thoughtful and considerate manner. This will help ensure that all graduating students and their families can fully enjoy the commencement ceremony and create positive memories for all attendees.
In addition to the CUNY Student Code of Conduct (Article XV and Henderson Rules), we ask that all commencement ceremony attendees adhere to the following policies while on campus:
What to bring (and what not to bring)
All graduates and guests will have their bags inspected at the front gate. Information regarding acceptable bags and prohibited items is below. Please read this information carefully, as you will not be permitted to bring prohibited items onto campus.
ACCEPTABLE BAGS:
-
- Small clutch purses, approximately the size of a hand, or 4.5″ x 6.5″ with or without a handle or strap may be carried on to campus, in addition to one clear bag with no obscured inner compartments.
- Each individual, including children, will be able to carry one clear bag plus one clutch purse as described above.
- Medically necessary items that exceed this two-bag maximum will be permitted, after proper inspection at entry.
- Diaper bags and strollers are allowed for families with babies/toddlers; please be advised that these items will be inspected at the front gate.
RECOMMENDED/ACCEPTABLE ITEMS:
-
- Graduates are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear, as the ceremony will require a significant amount of time standing and walking. Prior to the ceremony, when getting into the line for the procession and preparing your name cards, you will be standing.
- Graduates and guests should come prepared for the weather (sunscreen, hat, jackets etc as needed.
- Trained service animals that assist graduates or guests with disabilities are welcome at commencement.
- Wheelchairs, walking canes, and other ADA required devices are acceptable. Individuals with accessibility needs are encouraged to RSVP their attendance here: https://forms.office.com/r/5r3p5he722
PROHIBITED ITEMS:
-
- The campus is 100% smoke-free. Smoking and vaping are prohibited throughout the campus at all times.
- Words or items perceived to be diminishing or slandering toward any group, individual or institution, the University, any faculty or staff member, and/or any student are prohibited on graduation caps and robes.
- Noise making devices, air horns, cowbells, alarm devices, large signs, banners, multiple balloons, large flags and other items that may disrupt the ceremony or others’ ability to view or hear the ceremony, are prohibited.
- Projectiles like flying discs, frisbees and beach balls are not permitted.
- Alcohol and illegal drugs or substances are prohibited.
- Weapons, firearms, knives, laser pointers, flares, pepper spray/mace, poles, staffs, sticks and other defensive devices are not allowed on campus.
- Hoverboards, skateboards, bicycles and other personal recreational vehicles are not permitted.
- Visibly obscene or indecent clothing will not be permitted.
- Glass bottles are not allowed inside the venue.
Please note: There will be no provisions for checking in or storing prohibited items. If you have any prohibited items, Public Safety will not hold them.
Arrival on campus
-
- All parking for graduates and guests will be at the Manhattan Beach parking lot on Oriental Boulevard.
- Graduates and guests should enter campus through the College’s main gate (2001 Oriental Blvd.) with their KCC ID's. Graduates will be required to “tap in” (tap their ID card) at the gate.
- All guests must present their tickets at check-in, no exceptions. You may print in advance or display the tickets on your phone. Each graduate and their guests should enter campus together as a group. If the graduate is not with their guests, the party may need to wait while the graduate arrives (or returns) to the gate. Please note: the link to reserve free tickets for up to four guests was emailed and texted to students on June 3. If you did not receive this link, please email Commencement@kbcc.cuny.edu.
- Students participating in commencement must follow all instructions provided by faculty and staff, so that the ceremony can run smoothly. The ceremony starts at 11:00am and the gates will open 8:00am; please arrive by 9:00 at latest to allow enough time for your party to check in at the front gate, for graduates to line up and receive instructions, and for families to secure seats and get settled before the procession begins.
- Graduates will follow the balloon path from the Main Gate to the main doors of the S Building, and pass through the S building to the seawall where the graduate line up will be. Guests should follow signs to the guest seating area.
Prior to the ceremony
-
- Light concessions (drinks and snacks) will be available for sale before and during the event. Water will also be available.
- Graduates will be directed by Commencement Marshals and other staff in the assembly area along the seawall behind the S-building. Please follow all instructions, and refrain from engaging in any disruptive behavior that may prevent you, your guests, and your fellow graduates from enjoying the excitement and celebration of this occasion.
- The Graduates’ Procession to the tent begins between 10:00 and 10:30 am. All guests should be seated and ready for the ceremony to begin by this time.
During the ceremony
-
- Graduates and guests are expected to refrain from engaging in disruptive behavior and to treat all attendees with respect and civility.
- Please be considerate if using umbrellas to keep out sun or rain, remembering that they block others’ view and may present a hazard in crowded areas.
- If inclement weather or other disruptions occur, please listen for instructions from the Grand Marshal, college staff, and Public Safety officers. Follow instructions promptly to ensure the safety of all graduates and guests.
After the ceremony
-
- Graduates and guests, please wait to exit the tent and guest seating area until the Platform Party and faculty have exited.
- Graduates will then exit the tent, while guests remain seated.
- Please meet your party at a pre-arranged spot away from the crowded areas surrounding the tent.
- All graduated and guests will leave campus through the main gate on Oriental Boulevard.
All commencement participants remain students of the college until their degree is conferred, and as such, must adhere to all policies that apply to students enrolled at the institution. Violations of commencement guidelines may result in a disciplinary referral to the Office of Student Affairs, potentially delaying the posting of the degree until the matter is satisfactorily resolved. Again, you continue to be a Kingsborough Community College student until your degree is conferred.
Please be aware that your attendance at Kingsborough Community College’s commencement ceremony constitutes your consent to your voice, name, and/or likeness being used, without compensation, in films, tapes, and photography of the event, and you release Kingsborough Community College from any liability on account of such use. Notices will be placed on the grounds to reiterate that recording and photography will be in progress. If you do not wish to have your voice, name or likeness used in this way, please remain out of view of cameras and/or video recording devices.