May 2026 Convocation and Reception for the
Department of Political Science and Program in Globalization Studies and International Relations

Join us as we recognize the achievements of students from the Department of Political Science and the Program in Globalization and International Relations receiving their BA, MA, and PhD degrees. The convocation ceremony is an opportunity to grant awards, recognize students graduating with honors, and host a social reception with light snacks. Family and friends are welcome but graduating students must RSVP and obtain tickets for their guests in advance.

Our convocation and reception event will be onWednesday, May 20, 2026 at 2:00 PM in the Student Activities Center, Sidney Gelber Auditorium. This event is for our department and programs to recognize the hard work of our students, celebrate their outstanding achievements, and spend time visiting with classmates and faculty. This event is not to be missed!

Please note that the Convocation and Reception for the Department of Political Science and Program in Globalization and International Relations is a separate event from the Main Commencement Ceremony. For details on the Main Commencement Ceremony visit here.

If you have any convocation event questions, please contact polsci_tickets@stonybrook.edu. 

Important Deadlines and Dates

• 4/15/26: Last day to RSVP to attend the POL Department/GLI Program Convocation and be listed in the program. (Instructions on how to RSVP are in the FAQ below.) Students who do not RSVP by this deadline will not be able to obtain tickets for their guests.
• 4/22/26 from 12:00-2:30pm: Grad Day at the Staller Center Plaza - Join us as we kick off our Commencement countdown and celebrate the Class of 2026! There will be a variety of activities for graduates to enjoy.
• 4/27/26: Deadline to order graduation regalia to ship to home.
• 4/28/26–5/12/26: Ticket portal opens for students to claim their tickets if they RSVP'd for the department convocation ceremony by the 4/15 deadline.
• 5/8/25 @ 4:00pm: Last day to apply for graduation. (Applying by this deadline does not grant tickets to attend the departmental convocation ceremony.)
• 5/12/26: Ticket portal closes. Any unclaimed tickets will be redistributed to students who requested waitlist tickets.
• 5/13/26–5/15/26: Students who are granted waitlist tickets will have 72 hours to claim waitlist tickets.

If you have any convocation event questions, please contact polsci_tickets@stonybrook.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions — Department/Program Convocation and Reception

• What is the Department of Political Science and Program in Globalization Studies and International Relations Convocation Ceremony?

  The department/program convocation is a smaller, more intimate ceremony where the Department of Political Science will present awards, recognize our programs' graduates, and host a distinguished speaker. Graduates' names are called and are recognized by crossing the stage. This event takes place on a separate day and location from the Main Commencement Ceremony.

  The 2026 Department of Political Science and Program in Globalization Studies and International Relations Convocation will be taking place on Wednesday, May 20nd at 2:00pm (candidate check in at 1:00pm) in the Student Activities Center, Sidney Gelber Auditorium.

• How is this different from the Main Commencement Ceremony?

  The main commencement ceremony (aka "graduation") is where you are recognized with the entire graduating class, presided over by the campus President, Provost, Deans, and faculty. Individual names are not called at this ceremony.

  The 2026 Main Commencement Ceremony will be taking place on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11am at LaValle Stadium. For information and updates, please visit here.

• Is there still a December Commencement Ceremony?

  No. Per Provost Lejuez's email to the campus community on January 19, 2023, there will no longer be December Commencement ceremonies.

• How do I RSVP for the Department/Program Convocation Ceremony?

  On SOLAR, navigate to Academic Records > Graduation/Ceremony Attendance > Ceremony Attendance Changes.

  • If you want to attend the Main Commencement Ceremony, check "Attend May Ceremony"
  • If you want to attend the Department/Program Convocation, check "Attend Departmental Convocation"
  • Please (please!) enter the phonetic spelling of your name in the box provided. This is what is used to read your name during the ceremonies! Not sure how to write out your name phonetically?Here is a helpful guide.
  • If you want to have your Preferred/Chosen name read at the ceremony, be sure to check the box next to “Use Preferred Name (Commence).” (Details on the campus Preferred/Chosen name can be found here.)
  • If you change your mind or are unable to attend convocation and/or commencement, please update and resubmit this form.

  

• What is the difference between "applying for graduation" and submitting the "Ceremony Attendance Change Form"?

  When you apply for graduation, it is the formal process where you request your department(s)/program(s) and Registrar to review your academic progress to receive your degree. This involves an academic advisor and faculty director reviewing your completed courses to ensure that you have met all the requirements for your major(s)/minor(s)/program(s). The process is different for undergraduate students and graduate students. For details, please see the specific FAQ sections below for undergraduate vs. graduate students.

  When you submit your Ceremony Attendance Change Form this is you RSVP'ing to attend/participate in either the Main Commencement Ceremony and/or Department Convocation Convocation ceremony.

  If you apply for graduation but do not submit the Ceremony Attendance Change form, it means that you want to receive your degree, but do not plan on attending the Main Commencement Ceremony and/or Department Convocation Ceremony.

• I graduated in Summer 2025, Fall 2025 or Winter 2026. Can I come back to walk in the Spring 2026 (May) graduation ceremonies?

  Yes! To do this, you must complete the Ceremony Attendance Form on SOLAR. (See “How do I RSVP for the Department/Program Convocation Ceremony?”) Additionally:

  • If you plan on returning to walk in the Main Commencement Ceremony (and you checked the “Attend May Ceremony” box), you must also email commencement@stonybrook.edu and let them know the year and term you completed all of your degree requirements and let them know you would like to participate in the Main Commencement Ceremony.
  • If you plan on returning to walk in the Department Convocation Ceremony (and you checked the “Attend Departmental Convocation” box), you must also email polsci_tickets@stonybrook.edu and let us know the year and term you completed all of your degree requirements and that you would like to return to participate in the Department Convocation Ceremony.
• I plan on graduating in Summer 2026 or Fall 2026. Can I walk "early" in the Spring 2026 (May) ceremonies if I am not able to come back for Spring 2026?

  Candidates wishing to participate prior to completion of degree requirements will be eligible to walk early if they do the following three things:

  1. They are registered for Summer/Fall classes.
  2. Complete the "Ceremony Attendance Change Form" on SOLAR. (See How do I RSVP for the Department Convocation Ceremony above.)
  3. You must also email:
     • If you plan on walking "early" in the Main Commencement Ceremony (and you checked the “Attend May Ceremony” box), you must also email commencement@stonybrook.edu and let them know the year and term you plan on completing all of your degree requirements and let them know you would like to participate in the Main Commencement Ceremony.
     • If you plan on walking "early" in the Department Convocation Ceremony (and you checked the “Attend Departmental Convocation” box), you must also email polsci_tickets@stonybrook.edu and let us know the year and term you plan on completing all of your degree requirements and let us know that you would like to participate in the Department Convocation Ceremony.

  If you are completing your degree requirements in summer 2026 or fall 2026 you should not apply for graduation through SOLAR for Spring 2026. You should apply for graduation for the term you will be completing all of your degree requirements. If you are unsure of what this means, please contact your major or general academic advisor.

  For West Campus Undergraduates, please direct your questions to ug_graduation_west_campus@stonybrook.edu

• How do I get guest tickets for the Department/Program Convocation Ceremony and Reception?

  To secure guest tickets for the Department/Program Convocation Ceremony you must:

  1. RSVP to attend the POL Department/GLI Program Convocation by no later than 4/15/26 and be listed in the program. Students who do not RSVP by this deadline will not be able to obtain tickets for their guests.
  2. Claim your guest tickets using the AudienceView ticket portal. The portal will be open from 4/28/26–5/12/26. You can also request waitlist tickets at this time.
• Is there a waitlist for tickets?

  Yes. You can put in a request for the waitlist through the AudienceView ticket portal during the 4/28–5/12 period. Pending availability, on 5/13 students who are on the waitlist will receive a message to claim an additional ticket. You will have 72 hours to claim these tickets.

• How many tickets can I reserve for family/guests to attend the department convocation?

  This number is based on the number of graduating students who plan to attend the event and will be based off the number that have RSVP'd through SOLAR. We will be able to guarantee two (2) guest tickets for every student who RSVP's through SOLAR. Additional waitlist tickets are contingent on available space.

  Graduating students that are participating in the ceremony will not need a ticket, but will need to bring their student ID card for check in. Seating at the venue is limited, so thank you for your understanding.

• I am a Political Science/Globalization Studies and International Relations minor. Can I attend the department convocation ceremony?

  Due to limited event capacity, we are only able to accommodate undergraduate political science and globalization studies and international relations majors and their guests. We encourage you to attend your major department convocation ceremony to celebrate your achievements!

• What should I wear for the department convocation?

  Participating students must wear their cap and gown regalia to participate in the departmental convocation.

• What color hood should I order for my regalia?

  The following programs should order a white hood:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (BA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Globalization Studies and International Relations (BA)
  • Master of Arts in Political Psychology (MA)
  • Master of Arts in Public Policy (MA)

  The Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) should order a philosophy blue hood.

  Information on where and how to order graduation regalia can be found here.

• I have questions about regalia, senior portraits, or other general questions about campus graduation activities.

  Check the Main Commencement Ceremony website for details and look for messages from Conferences and Special Events.

• How do I get tickets for the Main Commencement Ceremony?

  Details about how to reserve tickets will be posted the Main Commencement Ceremony website.

• Will the department convocation be live streamed online for friends and family that cannot attend?

  No. The event venue this year does not have the technical capabilities to allow us to live stream our ceremony.

• Where is the Sidney Gelber Auditorium?

  The Sidney Gelber Auditorium is located inside of the Student Activities Center.

   

• Where do I park? Where do guests park?

  Parking is made available across campus for graduating students and guests during commencement week. We recommend parking in Lot 3 or Lot 13 across the street from the Wang Center.

  The full campus map and parking map can be found here.

 

Frequently Asked Questions — Undergraduate Students (POL or GLI BA)

• What if I have questions about the completion status of my political science/globalization studies and international relations major requirements?

  Contact Ashley Porcello, Undergraduate Program Coordinator to review your major requirements.

  Appointments (in person/Zoom):
  Book an appointment on Navigate 
  

  General Questions:
  polsci_undergrad@stonybrook.edu 

• What if I have questions about my general education requirements or graduation eligibility?

  Contact Academic and Transfer Advising Services as soon as possible for an appointment with an advisor. Information on making an appointment can be found on the ATAS website.

  If you want to confirm your graduation eligibility, contact the Registrar Graduation Staff at (631) 632-6175 or at ug_graduation_west_campus@stonybrook.edu.

• How do I apply for graduation?

  Details on how undergraduates can apply for graduation can be found here.

• Where can I pick up my honors stole for baccalaureate honors (magna cum laude, summa cum laude, and cum laude)?

  Honors stoles will be available for pickup from the Department of Political Science at the start of May. Please look for email messages on how and when to pick up your stoles.

• Where do I get my honors regalia I ordered for Pi Sigma Alpha?

  Pi Sigma Alpha regalia will be distributed at the 2025 induction ceremony.

  If you are unable to attend the induction ceremony, please contact the faculty advisor, Jason Rose (jason.rose@stonybrook.edu).

• How do I pick up my honors regalia for Phi Alpha Delta?

  Please contact the faculty advisor, Juliette Passer (juliette.passer@stonybrook.edu).

• How do I pick up my regalia for another honors society/organization (EOP/AIM, Phi Beta Kappa, etc.)

  Please contact the respective office or organization for this information.

 

Frequently Asked Questions — Graduate Students (MA and PhD)

• What if I have questions about the completion status of my MA or PhD degree?

  Contact Carri Horner, Graduate Program Coordinator, to review your degree progress requirements (carri.horner@stonybrook.edu, 631-632-7667). 

• How do I apply for graduation?

  Details on how graduate students can apply for graduation can be found here.

Updated 3/19/2026