VOLUNTEERING at the Two (2) University Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday and/or the PhD Event on Friday evening.
Thank you for volunteering to help at either of the 2 University Commencement Ceremonies and/or the PhD event during the May 2024 Commencement Weekend. We cannot support our students and their guests without your help! We have a variety of roles to fill at either 1, 2, or 3 events. Whether you prefer to walk, sit, or to be indoors or out, we’re happy to help find an enjoyable role perfect for you. Please let us know.
Click on the gray bars below for more details and how to sign up to volunteer. Thank you!
- 75 Awardco points for volunteering at any combination of 1,2, or 3 University Commencement events PLUS 2 movie tickets for each event
- 40 Awardco points for volunteering ONLY at the PhD Recognition event plus 2 movie tickets
Refer to “Volunteer Recognition” section below. Awardco points are a wonderful gift to use to “buy” anything you would like, by shopping at on Amazon or the Cornell Store. Your points equal the dollar value, point for dollar. Points never expire and roll over every year. There are no tax implications for any values. You’ll receive an email a few weeks after Commencement with more details. Enjoy shopping for anything with your points! Awardco Information here. Share your Cornell pride with our graduates and families!
| COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIE5 Saturday, May 25, 2024 | |
|---|---|
| VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT TWO (2) UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES 2024 All volunteers MUST check-in at the Fischell Band Building 1st Ceremony: Volunteers need to arrive by 7:00 am to have time to check-in, meet with group leader, and walk to assigned location. Stadium Gates open at 8:00 am for Guests. 2nd Ceremony: Volunteers need to arrive by 11:00 am to check-in, meet with group leader, and walk to assigned location. Stadium Gates open at 12:30 pm for Guests. | All volunteers MUST check-in at the Fischell Band Building All volunteers receive: -Cornell cloth baseball hat -Button name tag -Red Jacket to wear -N95 face masks available -2 movie tickets per event All Cornell staff receive the following benefits in addition to above items: -1 Comp Day off for volunteering at any of the 3 events -75 Awardco points for volunteering at 1 or 2 or 3 Commencement Events |
| Area Assignment & Group Leader: | Duties: |
| Arts Quad Procession FULL - 1st Ceremony 7:00a - 12:00p and/or 2nd Ceremony 11:00a - 4:00p Corey Earle 607-279-6585 cre8@cornell.edu | -Assist students to line up on the Arts Quad by college -Assist the student banner bearers for each college & walk beside to the stadium -Assist the Faculty to line up on the Arts Quad -Assist Platform Party to form review area and join the procession -Once all seated at stadium, ushers will be asked to assist elsewhere in the stadium during the ceremony -Help form recessional after the ceremony 40 people needed |
| Field Seating 1st Ceremony 7:00a - 12:00p and/or 2nd Ceremony 11:00a - 4:00p Bob Talda 607-592-1699 rpt4@cornell.edu | -Guide students & faculty to specific seating locations on Schoellkopf Field -Distribute programs to students -Help form recessional after the ceremony 30 people needed |
| North West Entrance (Chute) 1st Ceremony 7:00a - 12:00p and/or 2nd Ceremony 11:00a - 4:00p Karli Buday 724-766-2632 ksb95@cornell.edu | -Direct guests along Campus Road to go up to the Crescent -Answer guest questions -Assist as needed with guests going to the south end zone -Direct the procession down the NW driveway "chute" thru the large gate, on to the field 15 people needed |
| Crescent Seating & Concourse 1st Ceremony 7:00a - 12:00p and/or 2nd Ceremony 11:00a - 4:00p Max Mandeville 607-220-8818 mbm244@cornell.edu | -Direct guests to seating areas in the Crescent -Answer guest questions, assist as needed -Direct guests safely to seating in the Crescent -Coordinate with security staff in the seating areas 50 people needed |
| Crescent Gates 1st Ceremony 7:00a - 12:00p and/or 2nd Ceremony 11:00a - 4:00p Don Sevey 607-592-3371 dds29@cornell.edu | -Count guests at all the Gates & Entrances with clickers -Answer guest questions -Direct guests toward the seating/portal entryways 20 people needed |
| Crescent Lot 1st Ceremony 7:00a - 12:00p and/or 2nd Ceremony 11:00a - 4:00p Pat Wynn 412-877-7190 paw223@cornell.edu | -Direct guests in bus unloading/loading area at Crescent Lot -Help direct guests to the bag check area -Answer guest questions 15 people needed |
| Accessible Seating (yellow) 1st Ceremony 7:00a - 12:00p and/or 2nd Ceremony 11:00a - 4:00p Kelly Quinn kmq7@cornell.edu | -Assist guests sitting in the South end zone (yellow) seating area -Answer guest questions -Provide water and programs 20 people needed |
| Accessible Parking (yellow permits) 1st Ceremony 7:00a - 12:00p and/or 2nd Ceremony 11:00a - 4:00p Mark Howe 607-227-1052 mjh69@cornell.edu | -Direct guests entering Hoy Garage to the 3rd level -Help unload guests with limited mobility in wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, crutches etc. -Assist guests who need a wheelchair ride, from the mid point on the West Concourse to the field, south end zone -Answer guest questions 20 people needed |
| Tanner Terrace FULL - 1st Ceremony 7:00a - 12:00p and/or FULL - 2nd Ceremony 11:00a - 4:00p Cora Burns 518-577-9057 cb886@cornell.edu Linda Competillo 607-227-4922 lmc10@cornell.edu | -Assist guests to the Tanner Terrace seating area at Schoellkopf Hall -Answer guest questions 8 people needed |
| Golf Cart Driver FULL - 1st Ceremony 7:00a - 12:00p and/or FULL - 2nd Ceremony 11:00a - 4:00p Mike Baker 607-255-7480 meb84@cornell.edu | -Drive guests who need assistance to/from the stadium, ONLY via closed roads!! -Helpful to have experience driving a golf cart, carry a valid NYS driver's license -Able to physically assist guests in and out of golf cart if needing assistance -May need to move cases of water to Information Booths on the closed roads 18 people needed |
| Information Booths 1st Ceremony 7:00a - 12:00p and/or 2nd Ceremony 11:00a - 4:00p Vinh Le 515-393-8691 vlt22@cornell.edu | -Staff an Information Table and answer student & visitor's questions at locations away from the stadium -Help coordinate assistance with golf cart group -It will be helpful to have knowledge of the campus to direct guests to college events before & after the Commencement ceremonies. 12 people needed |
| Volunteer Check-In FULL - 1st Ceremony 7:00a - 12:00p and/or FULL - 2nd Ceremony 11:00a - 4:00p Marie Roller 607-742-7281 mr36@cornell.edu | -Set up the volunteer Headquarters in Fischell Band Buildingon Friday -Check-in all volunteers for each ceremony -Distribute nametags, Cornell hats, and red jackets -Distribute water bottles to volunteers as needed -Some duties may require lifting, some do not 8 people needed |
| Medical/EMT Service 1st Ceremony 7:00a - 12:00p and/or 2nd Ceremony 11:00a - 4:00p Dan Maas 607-327-1364 dim1@cornell.edu | -Work with CU EMS to assist guests needing medical assistance -Do not need to be CU staff to volunteer for this group -Contact Dan Maas with specific questions 5 people needed |
| VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES at the University PhD Ceremony | |
| Friday, May 24, 2024 in Barton Hall 3:00p - 7:00p Connie Mabry 607-351-6974 cbm1@cornell.edu Kristen Ciferri 607-339-1069 kcl43@cornell.edu | All volunteers MUST check-in at Barton Hall Enter via the Garden Ave. entrance and turn right to enter a temporary pipe and drapery room in the corner. All volunteers receive: -Cornell baseball hat -Button name tag -Red Jacket to wear -N95 face masks available -2 movie tickets All staff receive the following benefits: -1 Comp Day off for volunteering at any of the 3 University events - 40 Awardco points for volunteering ONLY at PhD event |
| Area Assignment: | Duties: |
| FULL - Student name card distribution, lineup grads and guide the procession to seating area. | -Hand out name cards to students & assist getting all in line for the procession in Barton Hall -Help guide the procession and collect name cards after students are seated -Assist grads as they lineup to go across the stage from seating area -Help form recessional after the ceremony 15 people needed |
| FULL - Guest Seating | -Guide guests to seating locations in Barton Hall -Distribute programs to seating areas -Help with managing the photo area as grads exit the stage -Help form recessional after ceremony 15 people needed |
| FULL - Entrances | -Direct guests entering Barton Hall -Direct guests after bag check area to seating areas -Direct Grads & Faculty to lineup locations 10 people needed |
- We are providing a light-weight red jacket for all to wear. If you have your own red jacket you may wear it. You may wear dark colored slacks, jeans, or skirt.
- Plan to wear comfortable shoes and clean tennis shoes are fine.
- Name tag/button provided at check-in.
- Be prepared for possibly spending several hours in the sun or steady rain. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, umbrella, poncho, or jacket.
- There won’t be safe storage for personal items at the Band Building, but you may wear a small backpack or fanny pack.
- Masks available for those who wish to wear them.
Parking
Campus Roads will close at 6:30 am. Campus Road from College Ave. to Wing Drive, Hoy Rd from Campus Rd. to the garage entrance, Garden between Campus and Tower Rd., and Feeney Way from Campus Rd. to University Ave.
Buses will begin to shuttle from B Lot to Crescent Lot at 7:00 am. Volunteers are allowed to park in the B Lot, surrounding lots by Vet School, and ride the bus to Crescent Lot. It’s a very short walk across the lot to the Fischell Band Building to check-in.
Hoy Parking Garage is also available for volunteers, with a yellow permit sent to you from the Commencement Office. You will only be able to enter the lower entrance to the garage on Hoy Rd coming from Route 366, as all other roads will be closed by 6:30 am. Please park in the upper levels to leave room in the 1st 4 levels for accessible guest parking.
- You MUST officially check in at the Fischell Band Building, Crescent Lot, prior to each of the two Commencement Ceremonies that you are volunteering. You MUST check-in at the start of both shifts.
- Checking in per event is REQUIRED for all volunteers. Staff volunteers must check-in to receive the Awardco points. Refer to “Volunteer Recognition” section.
- Please review the times listed by your group, in the “Volunteer Roles & Details” section. The time to arrive at Volunteer check-in is the 1st time listed. 7 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. indicates to arrive at 7 a.m. for the 1st ceremony. 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. indicates arriving at 11:00 a.m. for the 2nd ceremony. Thank you!
- Must show photo ID
- A box lunch will be provided for volunteers working both Commencement Ceremonies. Please plan to bring your own snacks if you have special dietary needs.
- Water will be provided to all at all events.
- Check-in on Friday for the PhD Event will be done in Barton Hall at 2:30-2:55 p.m.
A zoom link will be sent a few days before the meeting.
It will be recorded for viewing after, for those unable to attend.
Time spent in the training meeting which cuts across scheduled work hours should be considered time worked and recorded in Workday as such.
The Commencement Committee acknowledges and appreciates those who volunteer at the University PhD Recognition Ceremony on Friday, May 24, 2024, and at the two (2) University Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, May 25, and provides them with the following guidelines to ensure that volunteers are appropriately recognized.
Commencement pay guidelines for employees are also viewable on the Working at Cornell website under Pay Practices & Guidelines.
Volunteer Eligibility
All Cornell employees, retirees, Cornell Cooperative Extension, alumni, affiliates and family and friends (18 or older) are welcome to help.
Paid Time Off (PTO) Eligibility
All regular full-time or part-time non-exempt and exempt staff, including benefits-eligible temporary staff, are eligible to receive paid time off for volunteering at the University Commencement events.
Paid time off guidelines do not apply if the volunteer is not a Cornell employee, an affiliate, a retiree, or a Cornell Cooperative Extension employee.
Volunteer Time and Paid Time Off
Eligible employees who volunteer* at the University Ceremonies in May will be granted paid time off equivalent to one (1) day of their standard workday, the maximum amount even if volunteering for more than one university event.
Non-exempt volunteer staff should not record any time in Workday for their volunteer hours on May 24 or May 25 at the University Commencement events, as this is not paid time. If you have questions about time collection, please contact your payroll representative. This PTO time is not reflected in Workday when it is earned.
Volunteers are encouraged to inform their immediate supervisors of their decision to volunteer.
Use of Paid Time Off (PTO) and Workday Procedure
The paid time off should be scheduled so as not to disrupt normal work activities and must be approved by the volunteer’s immediate supervisor. May Commencement PTO must be used by December 31, 2024.
Staff should request “Volunteer – Commencement Time Off” via a time off request in Workday when the day off is used.
Non-exempt volunteer staff should not record any time in Workday for their volunteer hours on May 25 at either University commencement ceremony or the PhD event on Friday, May 24, as this is not paid time. If you have questions about time collection, please contact your payroll representative.
Exempt employees should use the paid time off according to the procedure established within their department to track time off, as there is no method for recording the one (1) day as Commencement paid time off for exempt staff in Workday.
Additional Recognition
As an additional thank you to all staff volunteers who help with these two Commencement ceremonies and/or the PhD event, university leadership is offering the following recognition:
If volunteering ONLY at the PhD Recognition event, will receive 40 Awardco points and two (2) movie tickets.
If volunteering at any combination of the three (3) University Commencement ceremonies, will receive 75 Awardco points and two (2) movie tickets for each event up to six (6) tickets.
Awardco points do not apply to Cornell Cooperative Extension employees, retiree, Cornell affiliates, or friends and relatives of staff who volunteer. However, they will receive two (2) movie tickets for every event where they volunteer and other thank you items.
Volunteer assignments and Awardco points will be processed centrally. Therefore, all volunteers must sign up through this form that is also listed in the sign-up section above.
College/Department Commencement Events These guidelines apply to the University Commencement ceremonies and the PhD Event, not to college or department level commencement events.
*Non-exempt employees who are not assisting in an entirely voluntary capacity must be paid for all hours worked during any of May 2024 Commencement Ceremonies be it the University-wide events or any of the individual college/school or department events, whether the hours fall outside their normal work schedules and/or result in overtime. Such work hours must be accurately reported in Workday. In this case, a non-exempt employee will not receive the one (1) paid day off or the Awardco points as outlined above.
If assisting with college or department level commencement events, please consult your appropriate college contact (e.g. supervisor, college registrar, HR or Payroll representative) for further information.
Please contact Workforce Policy and Labor Relations at hrpolicy@cornell.edu with any questions.
Both Commencement Ceremonies will be held outdoors at Schoellkopf Field on Saturday, even if it is raining, hot, or cold. However, if potentially dangerous weather, torrential downpour, high winds, lightning, or any other condition is deemed too unsafe to hold the ceremonies at Schoellkopf Field, we will enact our Severe Weather Plan and the ceremonies affected will be canceled and unable to be rescheduled. Please review the Severe Weather Plan for details.