Frequently Asked Questions

Graduates   |   Faculty   |   Guests   

Graduating Students

• How do I make my Senior Class Gift?

  Run by the Seawolf Philanthropy Council [SPC], the Senior Class Gift is a way for graduating students to leave their mark for future Seawolves. Please visit the Senior Class Gift donation link to make your gift to the areas on campus that mean the most to you.  When a graduating student from the Class of 2025 makes a gift of $10.25 or more, they will receive an exclusive red and black generosity cord to wear at Commencement as a token of appreciation for their support. Please contact SeawolfPhilanthropy@stonybrook.edu for more information.

• Will graduates have an opportunity to take senior portraits?

  A portrait photographer from Thornton Studio will be on campus at the Charles B. Wang Center. Please check back for more information regarding the date and times of when senior portraits will be taking place.

• Can I participate in this year's Commencement ceremony if I received my diploma last year but was unable to attend?

  Please email the conference and special events team at commencement@stonybrook.edu  with your request to walk. Please be sure to include your year of graduation and student ID number in your email. If you wish to attend your department's convocation ceremony, you must reach out to the department rep.  

   

• Where can GRADUATES find regalia ordering information?

  UUP is proud to honor the service of our veterans each year at commencement time, and UUP members with military service can obtain a red, white and blue cord to wear at graduation festivities. Anyone interested in the cords should reach out to Secretary-Treasurer Jeri O’Bryan-Losee at jobryan@uupmail.org.

  Undergraduate & Graduate Candidates!

  Pre-order your regalia using the following link:

  https://stonybrook.shopoakhalli.com/purchasewizard/Welcome

  Order your regalia between January 13 - March 14, 2025, and have your regalia ready to pick up at Shop Red West April 16 - May 16, 2025 (During hours of operation only. Check SBUShopRed.com for up-to-date information).

  Order regalia between March 15 - April 22, 2025, and have your regalia shipped to your home.

  Please contact the Shop Red West team at shopred_customerservice@stonybrook.edu with any questions regarding regalia.

  Doctoral candidates! 

  Order your diploma frames graduation announcements and rent your regalia using the following link:  http://herff.ly/sbu 

  Rent your regalia between January 17 - April 18, 2025, and have your items shipped to you (In-store pick-up is unavailable for PhD orders). Should you miss the deadline ordering date of 4/18, there will be an extension period until 4/30 for student PhD orders. An expedited shipping fee of $26.65 will be added to ensure delivery is on time before the hooding ceremonies.

   

• What if I cannot afford to purchase regalia due to financial hardship?

  The Undergraduate Student Government and Graduate Student Organization are collaborating with the Student Support Team to make Commencement regalia accessible for those in need and facing financial hardship. We know sometimes paying for regalia is a barrier to participating in Commencement and we hope to provide the opportunity for all students to be able to attend their graduation ceremony. We understand that these are trying times so we want to give all graduates the opportunity to celebrate their achievements at graduation. We look forward to your applications and seeing you at commencement!  

  Please visit the Student Support Team website for more information on the Regalia Loaner Program and how to apply.

• How do I apply to graduate and attend Commencement? When is the deadline to apply?

  Graduation Application for Publication: The last day for Spring /Summer 2025 degree candidates to apply for graduation and be included in the commencement publication is 4/10/25. The last day for Spring/Summer degree candidates to apply for graduation viaSOLAR is 5/10/25. 

  Please note that applications submitted after 4/10/25 will not appear in the digital commencement publication.

• What time should candidates participating in the ceremony arrive and where should they go?

  Candidates  participating in the academic processional should arrive wearing their cap and gown at the Indoor Sports Complex Parking Lot ( Lot 7). Candidates participating in the ceremony should arrive at 10:00 am for lineup. 

• How long is the Commencement ceremony?

  The duration of  Stony Brook University's Commencement ceremony is approximately 90 minutes.

• What can I bring into my commencement ceremony?

  The following items are prohibited at commencement ceremonies: outside food/beverage, including thermoses, coolers, alcoholic beverages, backpacks, luggage, strollers, umbrellas,  noise makers and balloons, weapons, laser pointers, fireworks, aerosol cans and non service pets. All bags are subject to search. 

• How can I apply to be the Commencement speaker?

  Each year a graduating senior is selected to address the graduating class, family members, friends, faculty and staff. Please check back for more information on how to apply to be the 2025 Commencement speaker.
  
  

• When will Commencement tickets be available? How many tickets does each graduate receive?

  Please check back for more information on when Commencement tickets will be available.

• Is there somewhere that guests can watch the Commencement ceremony on campus if they don't have a ticket?

  Please check back for more information.

• Will the Commencement ceremony be live-streamed?

  Yes, our Commencement ceremony will be live streamed and a recording of the ceremony will be posted on the Commencement website following the event.  A live stream link will be posted on the Commencement website the morning of the event. 

• Where can I order my class ring?

  You can find the link to purchase the official class ring on the Alumni website. Visit this link to order today! to purchase your class ring today!  

• How can I get involved with the SBU Alumni Association?

  Visit the alumni website for more information regarding the Stony Brook University Alumni Association. Visit this link to view the Alumni website!  

• Will there be class gifts available for purchase? (T-shirts, Flowers, Sweatshirts)
  Please check back for more information regarding 2025 class gifts for purchase.
• What color is associated with my academic degree?
  The academic attire worn by graduates at commencement has a history that dates back to at least the 14th century. Caps, gowns and hoods all have a specific design and history. The degrees also have a specific color associated with them. Learn more about academic attire.
• Where can I pick up my honors stole?

  Honors stoles will be distributed by your department one week prior to Commencement. For information on where to pick up your stole, please contact your respective school, college or department. 

• Why is my honors distinction different than what I expected?

  Honors distinctions are based on your CURRENT grade point average. The actual distinction  awarded  may be different as it is based on your FINAL grade point average. The actual honor will appear on your final transcript and diploma. 

  If you have questions regarding your academic status, please contact the registrar at  631.632.6175 or via email at  ug_graduation_west_campus@stonybrook.edu

• Questions regarding your academic status?

  If you have questions regarding your academic status, please contact the registrar at  631.632.6175 or via email at  ug_graduation_west_campus@stonybrook.edu

• Diploma questions

  How do I change my name for my diploma?  Update your name in your SOLAR account under Diploma Address.

  I am a dual major, why is only one of my majors noted in SOLAR?  It is just a system limitation, both majors will be printed on your diploma. 

  Can I pick up my diploma?  No, all diplomas will be mailed to the mailing address provided in your SOLAR account. Please make sure it's an updated address.

  For information regarding diplomas, please go to:   http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/registrar

  /graduation/diplomas.html

• Ceremony Accessibility Questions

  Closed Captioning
  The Commencement Ceremony will be live streamed and a recording of the ceremony will live on the Commencement website following the event. The ceremony will be closed captioned. Closed captioning is available through your smartphone or tablet device. If you require equipment to access closed captioning, please contact conferences.events@stonybrook.edu,  iPads will be available upon request.  A link to access live captioning  will become  available on the  Commencement website the morning of the event. 

  Commencement Program
  A link to access our program and flipbook will be available on our Commencement homepage the morning of the event. An accessible PDF will be available for download.

  Stadium Accessibility 
  Handicap parking is available between gate #5 and gate #6 of Stadium parking Lot.  Accessible seating is available at gates #2 and #6,  event ushers will be available to assist  guests if needed.

• How can I invite International guests to Commencement?

  Candidates with International Guests  International students or domestic students wishing to invite international family, please visit:this link for the most up to date  information about international visitors.  For additional questions, please contact Visa and Immigration Services at Stony Brook University.

  Visa and Immigration Services 
  Stony Brook University 
  E5310, Melville Library 
  Stony Brook, NY 11794-3393
  Telephone: (631) 632-4685
  Fax: (631) 632-7064
  Email: VIS@stonybrook.edu

Faculty

• Where can FACULTY find regalia ordering information?
  Faculty! Visit facultydirect.herffjones.com to place your orders.

   

  Any faculty member not listed can click on “new faculty member” and enter their information to place their order.

   

  ** IMPORTANT** Online ordering ends April 4, 2025. Faculty rentals will be available for pick up at Shop Red West beginning May 8, 2025. ALL faculty rentals MUST be returned to Shop Red West by Friday, May 23, 2025 to avoid extended rental fees.

   

   
• What time should faculty participating in the ceremony arrive and where should they go?

  Faculty  participating in the academic processional should arrive wearing their regalia at the Indoor Sports Complex Parking Lot ( Lot 7). Faculty participating in the ceremony should arrive at 10:00 AM for line up. 

• How long is the Commencement ceremony?
  The duration of  Stony Brook University's Commencement ceremony is approximately 90  minutes.
• Ceremony Accessibility Questions

  Closed Captioning
  The Commencement Ceremony will be live streamed and a recording of the ceremony will live on the Commencement website following the event. The ceremony will be closed captioned. Closed captioning is available through your smartphone or tablet device. If you require equipment to access closed captioning, please contact conferences.events@stonybrook.edu,  iPads will be available upon request.  A link to access live captioning  will become  available on the  Commencement website the morning of the event. 

  Commencement Program
  A link to access our program and flipbook will be available on our Commencement homepage the morning of the event. An accessible PDF will be available for download.

  Stadium Accessibility 
  Handicap parking is available between gate #5 and gate #6 of Stadium parking Lot. Accessible seating is available at gates #2 and #6,  event ushers will be available to assist  guests if needed.

Guests

• How long is the Commencement ceremony?
  The duration of  Stony Brook University's Commencement ceremony is approximately 90 minutes.
• When will Commencement Tickets be available? How many Tickets does each graduate receive?

  Please check back for more information in regards to when Commencement tickets will be available.

• Will the Commencement ceremony be live-streamed?

  Yes, our Commencement ceremony will be live streamed and a recording of the ceremony will be posted on the Commencement website following the event.  A live stream link will be posted on the commencement website the morning of the event. 

• Ceremony Accessibility Questions

  Closed Captioning
  The Commencement Ceremony will be live streamed and a recording of the ceremony will live on the Commencement website following the event. The ceremony will be closed captioned. Closed captioning is available through your smartphone or tablet device. If you require equipment to access closed captioning, please contact conferences.events@stonybrook.edu,  iPads will be available upon request.  A link to access live captioning  will become  available on the  Commencement website the morning of the event. 

  Commencement Program
  A link to access our program and flipbook will be available on our Commencement homepage the morning of the event. An accessible PDF will be available for download. 

  Stadium Accessibility
  Handicap parking is available between gate #5 and gate #6 of Stadium parking Lot. Accessible seating is available at gates #2 and #6,  event ushers will be available to assist  guests if needed.

• Is there a Commencement Brunch?

  Please check back for more information.