VPA Convocation and Master’s Hooding Ceremonies 2026

Graduating students do not process into Hendricks Chapel; instead, you sit in assigned seating based on program. You should arrive by 4:15 p.m. so that staff can direct you to your seat. Please allow additional time to clear security. Please fill out the card on your seat and hold on to it; you will be asked for it prior to processing across the stage for the hooding.

Graduating students should RSVP for the ceremony using the link below by Monday, May 4, 2026. To ensure that your name is read and pronounced correctly as you cross the stage in Hendricks Chapel, please use the RSVP form to provide an audio clip of you saying your full name as you would like it to be read. If you are unable to upload an audio clip, you may provide a written, phonetic pronunciation of your full name.

To participate in the ceremony, you will be required to wear full academic regalia— black gown, hood, mortarboard cap, and tassel. The deadline to order regalia online for home delivery has passed. Please visit the Campus Store in Schine Student Center to inquire about in-stock regalia. You will need to let them know your degree to ensure you receive the appropriate hood color (see list below). If you have any questions about regalia, please contact John Cusick, Campus Store manager, at jocusick@syr.edu.

Degrees and Hood Colors

• M.A. Audio Arts, Museum Studies: White
• M.A. Communication and Rhetorical Studies: Silver
• M.F.A. Art Photography, Computer Art, Film, Illustration, Studio Arts: Brown
• M.Mus. Conducting, Composition, Music Education, Performance, Voice Pedagogy: Pink
• M.S. Art Therapy: Gold
• M.S. Music Education: Light Blue

Every graduating student will be photographed by Island Photography on stage during the hooding ceremony. To ensure you receive your free proofs quickly and accurately, please complete this pre-registration selfie check-in.

If you also attend VPA Convocation, you will need to complete a separate check-in for photography at that ceremony. Please see the section on photography under VPA Convocation below.

On Saturday, May 9, free parking is available in the lots and garages listed on the Parking and Getting to Campus page on the Commencement website. We recommend parking in West Campus lots: Irving Avenue Garage, Raynor Avenue Lot, or Standart Street Lot.

Accessible shuttles are available to and from campus ceremonies or receptions throughout the weekend. Each parking lot or garage will have a nearby shuttle stop. Parking lot attendants will be available on site for assistance as well.

Guests requiring accessibility accommodation may be dropped off at Hendricks Chapel via the drive entering the Quad Lot. Drivers should then proceed to Irving Garage or Raynor Lot.

Traffic Advisory

Due to ongoing construction associated with the Interstate 81 Viaduct Project, traffic congestion is expected throughout the day. Guests are strongly encouraged to allow additional travel time and arrive early to avoid delays and ensure they are seated prior to the start of each ceremony.

Guests traveling to Hendricks Chapel and West Campus lots should plan to access campus via Interstate 81 and use Exit 18 (East Adams Street) as the primary route. From Exit 18, turn right onto Irving Avenue and continue toward campus, following posted signage and the direction of police and traffic personnel.

For the most accurate, real-time directions and traffic updates, guests are strongly encouraged to use Waze to get to Irving Avenue Garage, Raynor Avenue Lot, or Standart Street Lot. Visit the Parking and Getting to Campus page for additional information.

Tickets are not needed as the chapel is large enough for all guests. Seating is available on the main floor and the balcony. Accessible seating options are available with no reservations needed.

Visit the Commencement Schedule webpage on May 9, 2026, to find the livestream link for the VPA Master’s Hooding Ceremony.

Sign language interpreters and computer aided real-time translation (CART) will be provided. Additional information is available on the Commencement website accessibility page. For assistance with accessibility accommodations, please submit the accessibility accommodations form.

Syracuse University has a clear bag policy that will be in effect for Commencement weekend. Metal-detecting devices will be used at all ceremonies for both graduates and guests. Visit the Commencement website safety and security page for a list of prohibited items, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

Graduating students do not process; instead, they sit in assigned seating areas on the floor of the Dome. Graduates should make their way to the floor of the Dome by 7:15 p.m. (please allow additional time for security), and staff will direct you to your seating section. Master’s students sit together in one section. Bachelor’s students are seated by their VPA school/department. All students should fill out the card on your seat and hold on to it; you will be asked for it prior to processing across the stage.

To participate in the ceremony, bachelor’s and master’s students will be required to wear full academic regalia.

Bachelor’s students: Your regalia consists of a navy gown, mortarboard cap, and tassel. Please refer to the regalia information on the Commencement website for information about obtaining regalia. Students graduating with honors will receive an honors cord to wear with their regalia. Eligible students were contacted by the VPA Office of the Dean about when and where they can pick up their cords.

Master's Students: Your regalia consists of a black gown, hood, mortarboard cap, and tassel. Please see the “regalia” section above under VPA Master’s Hooding Ceremony.

Every graduating student will be photographed by Island Photography two to three times as you cross the stage and return to your seat. To ensure you receive your free proofs quickly and accurately, please complete this pre-registration selfie check-in.

On Saturday, May 9, free parking is available in the lots and garages listed on the Parking and Getting to Campus page on the Commencement website. We recommend parking in West Campus lots: Irving Avenue Garage, Raynor Avenue Lot, or Standart Street Lot.

Traffic Advisory

Due to ongoing construction associated with the Interstate 81 Viaduct Project, traffic congestion is expected throughout the day. Guests are strongly encouraged to allow additional travel time and arrive early to avoid delays and ensure they are seated prior to the start of each ceremony.

Guests traveling to the JMA Wireless Dome should plan to access campus via Interstate 81 and use Exit 18 (East Adams Street) as the primary route. From Exit 18, turn right onto Irving Avenue and continue toward campus, following posted signage and the direction of police and traffic personnel.

For the most accurate, real-time directions and traffic updates, guests are strongly encouraged to use Waze to get to Irving Avenue Garage, Raynor Avenue Lot, or Standart Street Lot. Visit the Parking and Getting to Campus page for additional information.

Accessible Parking and Drop-Off

Accessible parking is available in the Irving Avenue Garage. Accessible shuttles are available to and from campus ceremonies or receptions throughout the weekend. Each parking lot or garage will have a nearby shuttle stop. Parking lot attendants will be available on site for assistance as well.

Guests requiring accessibility accommodation should plan to be dropped at JMA Wireless Dome/Gate A on Forestry Drive. Drivers should then proceed to Irving Garage or Raynor Lot. JMA Dome staff will be available for transport from Gate A to seating in sections 119-126 on the lower concourse. Reservations are not required and families/groups will be seated together.

Following the ceremony, JMA Dome staff will be available to transport guests to Miron Victory Court on the upper concourse for the reception. Following the reception, JMA Dome staff will be available to transport guests back to Gate A for pickup.

Guests who are unable to transfer to JMA Dome seating should bring their own chair.

Tickets are not needed as the Dome is large enough for all guests. Arrive at the Dome using gates A, B, E, F, G, N or P. Seating is available on two levels.

Visit the Commencement Schedule webpage on May 9, 2026, to find the livestream link for the VPA Convocation Ceremony.

Sign language interpreters and computer aided real-time translation (CART) will be provided. Additional information is available on the Commencement website accessibility page. For assistance with accessibility accommodations, please submit the accessibility accommodations form.

Syracuse University has a clear bag policy that will be in effect for Commencement weekend. Metal-detecting devices will be used at all ceremonies for both graduates and guests. Visit the Commencement website safety and security page for a list of prohibited items, which can be found at the bottom of the page.