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2022 Required Protocols for Commencement

Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement Exercises will be held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center on Wednesday, May 18. GRAPHICS PRO EXPO / COURTESY

By Nicole Rodriguez, Senior Writer

The Manhattan College Office of Commencement disclosed the required protocols to attend all 2022 Commencement events in an email sent out on Thursday, April 28. 

Regardless of vaccination status, all graduating students must complete their customized graduation checklist, obtain a COVID-19 test on campus or from a medical facility and maintain a green pass in order to attend Commencement on Wednesday, May 18, the Baccalaureate Mass and Spring Honors Convocation on Sunday, May 15. 

Students who do not obtain the required COVID-19 test will be assigned an orange pass on Friday, May 13. 

In addition to graduating students, all anticipated guests are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. At home rapid tests will not be accepted for all attendees.

“Upon arrival at the event, your family and friends must show proof of vaccination OR a negative COVID-19 test result taken within the previous 72 hours,” wrote the Manhattan College Office of Commencement. 

Masks must be worn during all commencement events with the exception of when students and faculty process into the event and graduates walk across the stage. 

“During Commencement events, everyone must wear a mask inside the Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers and the Meadowlands Exposition Center,” wrote the Manhattan College Office of Commencement. “The only time students and faculty may remove their masks are when they process into the event, and when students cross the stage to receive their medal, award, or diploma.”

Additionally, masks are required to be worn aboard the transportation buses provided by the College to the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus for Commencement

“Masks are also required for individuals traveling to the Meadowlands Exposition Center while aboard transportation provided by the College,” wrote the Manhattan College Office of Commencement. 

All Commencement events will be live streamed on Manhattan College’s YouTube Channel for those unable to attend in person. Undergraduate Commencement begins at 10 a.m. and Graduate Commencement begins at 4 p.m.

The on-campus COVID-19 testing schedule for the upcoming week is as follows: 

  • Monday, May 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Smith Auditorium
  • Tuesday, May 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Smith Auditorium
  • Wednesday, May 11, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Smith Auditorium
  • Thursday, May 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Kelly Commons parking lot
  • Friday, May 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Kelly Commons parking lot
  • Sunday, May 15, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. – outside Smith Auditorium

In the last update for the academic year, OneManhattan sent an email to the Manhattan College community on May 5, acknowledging the rise of Covid cases in New York City and further emphasizing the need for safety upon the end of the semester.

“Please continue to take precautions when you can. Get tested if you are experiencing symptoms and please make sure to note them on the daily symptom tracker each day you are on campus,” the email wrote.

Additional information regarding the complete schedule of events, information on graduation clearance, tickets, announcements, cap/gown, graduation fair, and parking can be found at manhattan.edu/commencement.