Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. However, guests staying at listed hotels will be given the right of first refusal, however, as long as individuals can be at a Shuttle stop in time for departure, and space is available on the Shuttle, anyone may buy a Shuttle ticket.

You will be picked up at the same location in which you were dropped off.

For Shuttle tickets purchased through commencementconnections.com, cancellation notices must be emailed to balance@commencementconnections.com no less than fourteen (14) business days in advance of graduation day, May 23rd 2010 in order to be eligible for a refund, minus a $5 fee for each one-way ticket, and an $8 fee for each round-trip ticket. Customer (guest) is not entitled to a refund if cancellation notice emailed to balance@commencementconnections.com is received less than (14) business days in advance graduation day, May 23rd 2010. Commencement Connections is not responsible for any error in the delivery of the email notice. Please Note: late cancellations make it harder for Commencement Connections to design a smooth Shuttle schedule in the event of Severe Weather.

Each Shuttle route has been carefully measured and timed. In addition, traffic conditions based on historical patterns at Cornell University graduation have been factored in to determinate Shuttle schedules that are as accurate as possible. In the event of unexpected delays, Shuttle Guides riding on board will alert hotel front desk’s about the length of any delay over five minutes so guests can understand what is happening and act accordingly.

Shuttle schedules are subject to change, although it is unlikely. In the event of any changes, guests will be notified at least three days in advance of graduation via email or phone.

Guests will be picked up at their hotel’s entrance, or in a spacious area near the entrance, if necessary, to allow other traffic to drive unobstructed. Guests should wait outside their hotels five minutes before their scheduled Pick-up time to insure an expedient boarding process.

Cornell will have free Shuttles running loops around Cornell campus. Each Cornell Shuttle will stop at both the A Lot and B Lot. However, please take note which direction each Cornell Shuttle is moving because it may be quicker to take a Shuttle across the street moving in the other direction. Guests may also walk to their appropriate Pick-up location.

55 people can fit on each Shuttle.

Pre-paid guests need only their names in order to board morning and afternoon Shuttles. Round trip guests will have the option to get their hands stamped in order to improve efficiency in the afternoon.

Guests may pay via this website or in person. However, it's strongly recommended guests pay online to ensure seating.

Shuttles may be full, however, guests may purchase tickets right up until the event.

If you use a wheelchair or are a disabled persons and would like to use Commencement Connections, please email manager@commencementconnections.com or call us at 203-208-3592 for information.

All personal information entered on commencementconnections.com is secured with 256-bit encyrption, and credit card payments are performed through PayPal’s secure online-transaction infrastructure. Commencement Connections adheres to and honors PayPal’s Privacy Policy, Security Center, and User Agreement terms outlined on their website.

55 passenger air-conditioned Coach buses provided and driven by Swarthout Coaches Inc.

Commencement Connections is a Shuttle service focused on promoting green transportation and making Cornell graduation a more efficient and enjoyable experience. Commencement Connections was founded by a 2008 graduate from the Cornell Hotel School.

Although Commencement Connections provides service for the Cornell community throughout Ithaca and Tompkins County, we are unaffiliated with Cornell University or any hotel’s represented on this website.

“Severe Weather” is defined by Cornell University as “potentially dangerous weather, torrential downpour, high winds, lightning, unsafe conditions for our guests to sit outside. Unless these conditions apply, the ceremony will be outside in Schoellkopf Stadium (even in rain).”

In the event of “Severe Weather”, please check the Cornell Commencement website for schedule changes.

Each Shuttle will have a student “Shuttle Guide” available to answer questions, verify customer’s identity, help manage Shuttle routes, and facilitate drop-off and pick-up schedules. Commencement Connections employees will also be at both the A Lot and B Lot to help manage parking, travel, and Shuttle-related traffic.