May 2023 Department of Political Science Convocation and Reception

Join us as we recognize the achievements of political science students from the class of 2023 receiving their BA, MA, and PhD degrees. The department will grant awards, recognize students graduating with honors, and host a social reception with light snacks. Family and friends are welcome but students must register and obtain tickets in advance. Instructions on how to register and reserve tickets are below.

Our convocation and reception event will be on Thursday, May 18th at 9:00am (event checkin begins at 8:00am) in the Bauman Center Ballroom. This event is for our department to recognize the hard work of our students, celebrate their outstanding achievements, and spend time visiting with classmates and faculty. This event is not to be missed!

Please note that the Department of Political Science Convocation and Reception is a separate event from the Main Commencement Ceremony. For details on the Main Commencement Ceremony visit here.

Important Deadlines and Dates

• • 4/3/23: Ticket requests for the Department Convocation become available for students who have RSVP'd through SOLAR.
  • 4/12/23: Last day to register for the Main Commencement Ceremony and be listed in the program (you can still register to attend past this date, but won't be listed in the program).
  • 5/5/23: Last day to register to participate in the Main Commencement Ceremony (your name will not appear in the program).
  • 5/5/23: Last day to register and claim guaranteed tickets for the Department of Politial Science Convocation and Reception.
  • 5/8/23 at 9:00am: Tickets held for graduating students' guests that are not claimed will be converted to fill waitlist requests. Waitlist tickets (if available) will be distributed through Eventbrite.
  • 5/11/23 at 5:00pm: Final date for Department Convocation tickets to be claimed. No exceptions or additional tickets will be granted past this date.

Department Convocation and Reception Tickets

A link will become available here to claim reserved tickets on 4/3/2023.

Department Convocation and Reception Waitlist

A link will become available here to request additional guest tickets (beyond the guaranteed two guest tickets) on 4/3/2023.

Frequently Asked Questions — Department Convocation and Reception

• What is the Department of Political Science Convocation?

  The department convocation is a smaller, more intimate ceremony where the Department of Political Science will present awards, recognize our programs' graduates, and host a distinguished alumni speaker. This event takes place on a separate day and location from the Main Commencement Ceremony.

  The 2023 Department of Political Science Convocation will be taking place on Thursday, May 18th at 9am in the Bauman Center Ballroom.

• How is this different from the Main Commencement Ceremony?

  The main commencement ceremony (aka "graduation") is where you are recognized with the entire graduating class, presided over by the campus President, Provost, and Deans.

  The 2023 Main Commencement Ceremony will be taking place on Friday, May 19th at 11am at LaValle Stadium. For information and details, please visit here.

• Is there still a December Commencement Ceremony?

  No. Per Provost Lejuez's email on January 19, 2023 to the campus community, there will no longer be December Commencement ceremonies.

• How do I RSVP for the department convocation?

  On SOLAR, navigate to Student Records & Registration > Ceremony Attendance Changes.

  • If you want to attend the Main Commencement Ceremony, check "Attend May Ceremony"
  • If you want to attend the Department Convocation, check "Attend Departmental Convocation"
  • Please (please!) enter the phonetic spelling of your name in the box provided. This is what is used to call your name during the ceremonies! Not sure how to write out your name phonetically? Here is a helpful guide.
  • If you change your mind or are unable to attend convocation and/or commencement, please update and resubmit this form.

  
  

• How do I get tickets for the department convocation?

  An announcement about reserving tickets for the department convocation will be sent through the POL Major/Minor Brightspace page in the coming months. Tickets will be distributed digitally via Eventbrite.

  Please note, that if you do not RSVP through SOLAR by checking the "Attend Departmental Convocation" box, you will not be able to reserve tickets.

• How many tickets can I reserve for the department convocation?

  Each graduating student can reserve up to two (2) tickets for guests. Seating at the venue is limited, so thank you for your understanding. A waitlist will be created to request additional tickets for guests, and if they are available will be distributed.

• What should I wear for the department convocation?
   Graduating students should wear their cap and gown regalia. 
• I have questions about regalia, senior portraits, or other general questions about campus graduation activities.
  Check the main commencement website and look for messages from Conferences and Events.
• What color hood should I order for my regalia?

  The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science, Master of Arts in Political Science (MA), and Master of Arts (MA) in Public Policy should all order a white hood.

  Information on where and how to order graduation regalia can be found here.

• Will the department convocation be livestreamed online for friends and family that cannot attend?

  Yes. The event will be livestreamed through our department YouTube page. More details will be announced.

• Where is the Bauman Center Ballroom?

  The Bauman Center Ballroom is located inside of Benedict College.

   

• Where do I park? Where do guests park?

  Parking is available for graduating students and guests in Lot 1 and Lot 3. We recommend parking in Lot 1 across the street from the Wang Center. The East entrance of the Bauman Center is a five minute walk north. Alternate parking is also in Lot 3 next to LaValle Stadium, but the walk is longer and you will have to enter through the West entrance of Benedict. Please see the attached map for reference.

  The full campus parking map can be found here. Parking in these lots is free on May 18th.

  

 

Frequently Asked Questions — Undergraduate Students (BA)

• What if I have questions about the completion status of my political science major requirements?

  Contact June Carter to review your major requirements (june.carter@stonybrook.edu, 631-632-7688).

• What if I have questions about my general education requirements or graduation eleigibility?

  Contact Academic and Transfer Advising Services as soon as possible for an appointment with an advisor. https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/advising/index.php

  If you want to confirm your graduation eligibility, contact the Registrar Graduation Staff at (631) 632-6175 or at ug_graduation_west_campus@stonybrook.edu.

• How do I apply for graduation?
  Details on how to apply for for graduation can be found here: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/registrar/graduation/graduation
• Who is eligible to participate in the Spring 2023 department convocation and main commencement?
  Please review the participation eligibility requirements here.
• Where can I pick up my honors stole for baccalaureate honors (magna cum laude, summa cum laude, and cum laude)?

  Honors stoles will be available for pickup from the Department of Political Science. More details to will be announced.

• Where do I get my regalia I ordered for Pi Sigma Alpha?

  Pi Sigma Alpha regalia will be distributed at the 2023 induction ceremony, taking place in early May.

  If you are unable to attend the induction ceremony, please contact the faculty advisor, Jason Rose (jason.rose@stonybrook.edu).

• How do I pick up my regalia for Phi Alpha Delta?

  Please contact the faculty advisor, Juliette Passer (juliette.passer@stonybrook.edu).

• How do I pick up my regalia for another honors society/organization (EOP/AIM, Phi Beta Kappa, etc.)

  Please contact the respective office or organization for this information.

 

Frequently Asked Questions — Graduate Students (MA and PhD)

• What if I have questions about the completion status of my MA or PhD degree?
  Contact Carri Horner to review your degree progress requirements (carri.horner@stonybrook.edu, 631-632-7667).
• How do I apply for graduation?
  Details on how to apply for for graduation can be found here: https://grad.stonybrook.edu/academics/graduation_application.php 
• Who is eligible to participate in the Spring 2023 department convocation and main commencement?

  Please review the participation eligibility requirements here.