Columbia 255th Commencement
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Low Plaza
Grads: Academic regalia required; assemble in front of the Mathematics Building (117th St. & Broadway entrance) by 9:15 a.m. Candidate procession begins at 9:30 a.m. and academic procession at 10:30 a.m.
Guests: Tickets required. Gates to campus open at 9:00 a.m. to ticket holders.
It is during the Commencement ceremony that your degree is officially conferred. All of Columbia’s 17 schools participate in this event.
The Commencement speaker is traditionally the president of the University. The ceremony includes awards to honorary degree recipients and outstanding Columbia teachers. If it rains, Commencement will still be held outside.
Tickets
Each degree candidate is allotted four tickets to the Commencement Ceremony. Without tickets, your guests will not be able to enter the campus. The tickets are distributed by the GS Dean of Students Office. You must complete the GS Senior Survey before picking up your GS Graduation Packet, which includes your tickets. You may pick up your tickets at the GS Graduation Kickoff Event on Tuesday, April 28, 12:30-2:00 p.m. in the GS Lounge, or anytime thereafter, from Wednesday, April 29 to Friday, May 15 at 12 p.m. in the Dean of Students office, 403 Lewisohn Hall.
Should you require more tickets, you may sign up for the additional ticket lottery in the Dean of Students Office until 12 p.m. on Friday, May 15.
At that time, any unclaimed tickets, or surplus tickets returned to the Dean of Students Office, will be distributed in the lottery. Individuals who receive tickets in the lottery will be notified immediately. There is no guarantee that there will be extra tickets, or that graduates will be able to obtain all the tickets they need through the ticket lottery. Students who require more tickets may wish to contact other GS students, who may have extra tickets.
Instructions for Graduates
- Assembly Time: GS graduates must begin lining up no later than 9:15 a.m. on
Commencement Day. You will be sent an email reminder with instructions about where to assemble.
- Academic Regalia: Graduates must be wearing their caps and gowns in order to be admitted to campus on Commencement Day.
- Location: The GS graduating class sits on raised bleachers in front of the east side of Dodge Hall, immediately before the wall rising from Low Plaza to Lewisohn
Lawn. You may want to let your family know as they may wish to sit on the west side
of the audience to have the best view of GS.
- After the Ceremony: General mayhem will ensue, so be prepared. Make a plan in advance with your guests
as to where to meet. Students may wish to meet their guests at the GS
Lounge: you can pick up your diploma, take a photo with
your advisor, and raise a toast to a fellow grad at the Post-Commencement Reception (details below).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do
children attending Commencement need tickets?
Space on campus is very constrained during Class Day and Commencement. All children
need tickets, unless a child is small enough to be held on the lap of
an adult during the event.
What
happens if it rains on Commencement Day?
Bring an umbrella! All Commencement Day activities will continue outdoors
as scheduled.
Is the ceremony telecast?
The ceremony will be webcast live, as well as archived, on the webcast page of the Columbia
Commencement website.
How
many people are expected at the Commencement Ceremony?
There will be about 30,000 people. We encourage family and friends of
candidates to set meeting places for after the ceremony in case anyone
should become separated. GS students may recommend that their guests
meet in the GS Lounge in Lewisohn Hall, since GS will host a reception with cookies, water, and champagne
after the Commencement Ceremony (details below).
How
does GS stand out at Commencement?
GS students are seated together. At various times in the ceremony, when
GS is referred to, it is appropriate to signal your presence with loud
whoops and cheers. It is customary that each school waves something when
that school is presented by its dean; this year, grads will be waving black and white racing flags.
Do current GS students need a ticket to attend the Commencement Ceremony?
Yes.
Accommodations for Guests with Disabilities
Columbia provides accessible entrances and seating for students and guests with disabilities or special needs for both GS Class Day and Commencement. The Commencement Ceremony will be signed.
Please see the University Commencement website for more detailed information about accommodations for the Commencement Ceremony; for accommodations for Class Day, please see the Class Day page.
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