Are you ready?!
Hostos Community College will celebrate its Class of 2023 with two ceremonies to accommodate our many graduating students and their proud loved ones.
Commencement Update:
GATHERING AREA FOR GRADUATES:
Graduates who are participating in the May 31 ceremony should report to the Main Gym (C-Building, 3rd floor) by 12 p.m. Graduates who are participating in the June 1 ceremony should report to the Main Gym by 9 a.m.
As you enter the gym, you will be directed to the tables where they will hand out the name cards. The card will list your name, the type of degree that you are receiving, and your major (i.e., John Osse, Associate in Arts, Accounting). You will need to take this card with you when you go up to the stage so that the Vice President can announce your name to the audience.
Once you pick up your yellow card, fill out the back of the card with all your latest contact information. This will allow the representatives from Island Photo to get in contact with you after the ceremony. You should also take a few moments to take pictures with friends, professors, and staff and post them onto social media with the hashtag #HostosGrads2023.
About half an hour before the ceremony, graduates will be asked to line up at the Main Gym with all the other students from their major. There will be a Marshall with a banner listing your major (i.e., Game Design). The Marshall will help you form a single line and will then guide you down the stairs and into the Main Theater (where you will sit along with other students from your major). You will remain seated until the Vice President asks all the students from your major to come up to the stage.
When you go on stage, you will receive a graduation scroll, shake the President’s hand and take a quick picture. This picture will be taken by a photographer from Island Photo. The photo studio will send this picture to the email address that you wrote on the back of the yellow card, so make sure that you print this information neatly.
After all the graduates go up to the stage, the President will say a few closing remarks. Following these remarks, the ceremony will conclude and you will follow the Marshall and your fellow graduates to the C-Lobby where you can meet your family/friends/guests.
GATHERING AREA FOR GUESTS:
Guests for the May 31 ceremony should report by 12:30 p.m. and line up at the bottom of the ramp outside the C-Building (450 Grand Concourse). The theater doors will open at 1 p.m. No guests will be allowed to enter the building before then.
Guests for the June 1 ceremony should report by 9:30 a.m. and line up at the bottom of the ramp outside the C Building (450 Grand Concourse). The theater doors will open at 10 a.m. No guests will be allowed to enter the building before then.
Guests must bring their tickets to be permitted into the theater. No guest will be allowed inside the theater without a ticket (this includes children).
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES
May 31 | 2 p.m.
Celebrating: HERO High, Hostos Lincoln Academy, Liberal Arts (AA), Liberal Arts and Sciences (AS), Criminal Justice (AA), Chemical Engineering Science (AS), Civil Engineering Science (AS), Computer Science (AS), Electrical Engineering Science (AS), Forensic Science (Science for) (AS), Food Studies (AS), Paralegal Studies (AAS), Public Policy and Administration (AAS), Mathematics (AS), and Mechanical Engineering Science (AS).
June 1 | 11 a.m.
Celebrating: AAS, certificate programs and all other AS programs as follows: Accounting (AS), Accounting (AAS), Aging and Health Studies (AAS), Business Management (AS), Community Health (AS), Dental Hygiene (AAS), Digital Design & Animation (AAS), Digital Music (AAS), Early Childhood Education (AAS), Game Design (AAS), Nursing (AAS), Accounting for Forensic Accounting (AS), Office Technology (AAS), Radiologic Technology (AAS), Police Science (AS), and LPN (certificate).
DATE AND LOCATION:
The 55th Anniversary Commencement Ceremonies will be held on Wednesday, May 31 and Thursday, June 1, 2023 at the Main Theater of Hostos Community College. The theater is located at 450 Grand Concourse (C-Building), Bronx, NY.
TIME:
May 31| 2 p.m.
June 1 | 11 a.m.
You will be invited to one of the two ceremonies depending on the degree that you are receiving.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Sarah Aponte
Chief Librarian, CUNY Dominican Studies Institute
Professor, The City College of New York
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS:
The Commencement Ceremony is for September 2022, January 2023, February 2023, and June 2023 graduates.
OBTAINING CAP AND GOWN:
Please be advised that the college has decided to provide basic cap and gown packages for all of the graduates and candidates participating in the ceremony this year. Students who are part of a special program (CUNY EDGE, College Discovery, Hostos Lincoln Academy, etc.) will be provided a package from their respective program. Please stay tuned for an email from COMMENCEMENTINFO@hostos.cuny.edu regarding the dates and times that the cap and gown packages will be distributed.
Note: The cap and gown package that the College is providing is the basic package. This package consists of a cap, gown, tassel and hood. If you want to have the white stole (the stole of gratitude), you will need to order that from the vendor. The stole can be found at https://collegegrad.herffjones.com/capgown.
OBTAINING TICKETS:
Graduates will not need a ticket to participate in the ceremony. However, their guests will. Each graduate will receive two (2) tickets. If you want additional tickets, network with your fellow graduates to see if they have tickets that they are not using. Please note that we might set up a Waiting List for additional tickets. However, if the list is set up, you may only apply for one (1) additional ticket. More information coming soon.
TICKETS REQUIREMENT:
Admission to the commencement ceremony is by ticket only. Each adult and each child — two years or older — must have a ticket to occupy a seat. No tickets will be available at the theater. Each ticket admits one person only. Guests MUST bring their tickets to be permitted into the theater. No guests will be allowed inside the theater without tickets. Tickets are not transferable. Please safeguard your tickets; they are the only way your guests will be allowed into the graduation exercises.
LENGTH OF CEREMONY:
The ceremony is expected to be about three (3) hours long. It is recommended that you and your guests wear comfortable clothing and shoes and that you eat a meal prior to arrival.
GRADUATION RINGS:
Graduating students interested in purchasing a graduation ring can visit the Herff Jones website.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER:
Representatives from Island Photography (www.islandphoto.com) will photograph the ceremony.
On the day of the graduation, all graduating students will march across the stage. A professional photographer will take an individual picture of each student with President Daisy Cocco De Filippis. You will receive more information (on a provided information card) about purchasing your photograph with the President on the day of the ceremony.
PHOTOGRAPHING THE CEREMONY:
During the ceremony, photography or videotaping will be allowed, but only from your seats. No one is allowed in the aisles. As mentioned, an authorized photographer from Island Photography will be on stage to take photos of the graduates. In addition, a representative from the college will videotape the ceremony. If you approach the stage or stand in the aisles, you will be asked to return to your seat.
BALLOONS:
No balloons will be allowed inside the theatre. NO EXCEPTIONS.
BABY CARRIAGES:
No baby carriages will be allowed inside the theatre. If you arrive with a baby carriage, there will be no check-in or Public Safety to look after your carriage. Note that each child 2 years or older requires a ticket to occupy a seat.
ELECTRONIC BIKES AND/OR SCOOTERS:
Electric Bikes and\or scooters are not allowed to be stored on campus due to fire hazard risks associated with batteries that electric bicycles are equipped with. See Hostos' campus bike policy here.
BACKPACKS OR PURSES:
As space is limited and for security purposes, no backpacks or big purses will be allowed inside.
SMOKING, FOOD, DRINKS:
The Main Theater is a non-smoking facility. In addition, no food, refreshments of any sort, including alcoholic beverages, will be permitted on the premises.
CELL PHONES:
Cell phones must be put on silent before the ceremony begins and remain silent for the duration of the ceremony.
DIPLOMAS:
Diplomas will not be distributed during commencement. The Registrar’s Office will mail a notification to each graduate when diplomas are ready for pick up.
FOREIGN GUESTS AT GRADUATION:
Hostos Community College understands that many of you want to share your special day with your loved ones who do not live in the United States. However, Hostos cannot arrange for entrance to the United States for any guest from another country. You may contact the Office of Student Activities (C-371) to get a letter stating that you are a candidate for graduation and that you will be attending the commencement ceremony.
You will be required to provide the U.S. Consulate an address for the city and country where your guest will be applying for a visitor's visa, your guest's name, address, passport number and relationship to you. Only the student graduating, with appropriate identification, may obtain this letter.
DISABLED STUDENT AND GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you or your guests require wheelchair access assistance or an interpreter for the hearing impaired, please contact the Accessibility Resource Center at 718-518-4454 to arrange for seating or services.
You must request these accommodations by May 24, 2023.
PROOF OF GRADUATION FOR EMPLOYEES:
If you need a letter to show your employer that you are graduating so that you can get the day off from work, please visit the Office of Student Activities (C-371) or contact the office at 718-518-6561.