Commencement 2020

SUNY Geneseo's master's and undergraduate commencement ceremonies for 2020 have been postponed as part of the college's response to COVID-19. This measure was taken to protect the health and safety of our students, their families, college employees, and the wider community. 

Since late March, a group of students, staff, and administrators have been meeting and intently considering alternative dates for the rescheduled in-person commencement ceremony. On April 27, it was announced that the celebration will take place in May 2021, which was determined to be the safest option.

The College had hoped to schedule commencement sooner, but limitations in bringing together more than 5,000 people, seasonal weather risks, uncertainties on the availability of appropriate ceremony venues, and other circumstances all regrettably pointed to next year as the responsible choice. Survey responses from more than 500 graduating students helped inform the college's decision.

Geneseo is planning for the ceremony to take place during the 2021 commencement weekend, but it will not be combined with the Class of 2021 commencement on May 22. It will be a separate event with all of the traditional celebratory moments and recognitions for the Class of 2020. 

In the meantime, it’s our hope that graduates, their families, and friends participate in the Senior Send-Off: Tribute to the Class of 2020 on May 16 to celebrate our students' considerable accomplishments at Geneseo. 

Questions? Contact Andrea Klein at klein@geneseo.edu or 585-245-5786.