Information for active faculty/staff
Q. Will classes be canceled?
A. No. Since teaching and learning are central to our mission, there will be no university-wide cancellation of classes. Individual instructors may adjust their respective syllabi and class schedule as warranted. Student Musicians and other students participating in the ceremony should be excused from class and allowed to make up any missed work.
Q. Will offices be closed?
A. There will be no campus-side closing of offices. However; ALL employees are invited to attend and may do so without charges to leave accruals and with supervisor’s permission. Offices in which all employees wish to attend may post notices on their doors utilize voice mail to record incoming calls.
Q. May I participate in the academic procession?
A. Absolutely! We ask faculty - including emeriti - to come to the Lake Shore Gateway to the Arts Atrium at Rockefeller Arts Center (outside Marvel Lobby) at 11:45 a.m. to receive instructions. Enrobing is in the dressing rooms adjacent to Bartlett Theatre. Please note: You will need to provide your own academic regalia. Personal items may be left in the locked space assigned for those taking part in the procession. Don’t forget to register in advance to let us know you are coming. You may register online by using the RSVP link
Q. Do I need to provide my own regalia?
A. Yes, see above.
Q. May I process as a representative of my graduate school instead of as a member of the SUNY Fredonia Faculty/Staff?
A. If you would rather march in the processional as a representative of the school from which you received your doctorate or master’s degree, you may do so. The proper etiquette is to contact the president’s office or the alumni office at your alma mater and let them know you would like to do this. Some schools may be able to lend you academic regalia if you don’t own your own. When you register for the investiture ceremony, be sure you make it clear you are doing so as a delegate of another institution. You will need to provide the year of founding of the school you are representing, as this determines the order in which delegates will process (oldest first).
Q. How do I RSVP that I plan to enrobe and process?
A. Please register online by using the RSVP link. Select no, not a delegate from another institution to complete the registration process. We need you to reserve ahead of time so we can set aside the right number of seats at the front of the hall.
Q. May I march in the procession without wearing regalia?
A. No. In keeping with tradition and to make the investiture ceremony as festive and special as possible, only those in academic attire may process. However, we still hope you will attend the ceremony. You will need to register to attend here RSVP link.
Q. May my spouse or partner sit with me during the ceremony?
A. If you both work for SUNY Fredonia, have degrees and your own regalia, then by all means process and sit together in the reserved area for processing faculty and staff! If you are not in the processional, you may bring as many family members as you wish. Please be sure to reserve a seat for each guest in the general admission sections by registering here RSVP link.
Q. What is the attire for those not processing?
A. Business casual.
Q. How long will the ceremony last?
A. Approximately 90 minutes.
Q. Will special parking be available?
A. Special parking will be available for official delegates, dignitaries and members of platform party only.
Q. What if I need assistance for processing or seating?
A. We will be happy to assist in anyway we can, please email inauguratin@fredonia.edu to let us know what your needs are or call the president's office at 716-673-3456.
Emeritus faculty/staff
We extend a special welcome and invitation to all emeritus faculty and staff members of SUNY Fredonia. If you live outside the area, please consider coming back. We hope you will dust off your academic regalia and join us in the processional. We’d like to suggest two options:
- Process along with the current members of faculty and staff. We ask faculty - including emeritus - to come to the Lake Shore Gateway to the Arts Atrium at Rockefeller Arts Center (outside Marvel Lobby) at 11:45 a.m. to receive instructions. Enrobing is in the dressing rooms adjacent to Bartlett Theatre. Please note: You will need to provide your own academic regalia. To register as an Emeritus Faculty/Staff member, please register at RSVP link. Be sure to check no, not attending as a delegate of another institution.
- Process as an official delegate of the institution from which you received your highest degree (or at which you are currently employed, if that is the case). Proper protocol is to contact the president or alumni office at your school for their approval. Please look up the year of your institution’s founding as you will need this information when registering. Delegates representing other institutions will process in the order of the founding date of each school. Please register here RSVP link. Please select yes as a delegate from another institution to complete the proper registration. You may also email inauguration@fredonia.edu.