Principal Graduation Events

Senior Survey

Thursday, April 23 - Monday, April 27, 2009
Graduating seniors will be emailed a link to the survey on or before April 23.

In preparation for General Studies Class Day and University Commencement, you are required to complete the Senior Survey, also known as the Blue Card survey. The survey is an opportunity for you to give us important information such as the correct pronunciation of your name for the ceremony and the address to which we should send your copy of the The Owl, the GS alumni magazine.

The survey takes about 5 minutes to complete. Commencement tickets and grad packets cannot be released until the Senior Survey has been completed.

Please complete the survey by 12 noon, Monday, April 27, in order to receive your graduation packet, including Commencement tickets, at the Graduation Kick-off event (below).

Graduation Kick-Off Event

Tuesday, April 28, 2009
12:30-2:00 p.m.
GS Lounge, Lewisohn Hall
Open only to those who have applied for May and October graduation and February grads.

Come join fellow seniors and start the countdown to graduation. Pick up tickets for Commencement, partake of a champagne toast to 2009 graduates, make a donation to the Senior Class Fund, buy tickets for the Senior Class Dinner Cruise, purchase GS jewelry and clothing, and enter a drawing for an exquisite piece of GS jewelry exclusively designed by GS Grad Philip Ehrlich (designer of the Columbia 250th Anniversary pins and the GS Owl that stands proudly in the GS Lounge).

Baccalaureate Service

Sunday, May 17, 2009
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
St. Paul's Chapel
Grads: Academic regalia required.
Guests: Families and friends of degree candidates are welcome. No tickets required.

The Baccalaureate Service is an interfaith, intercultural service celebrating the completion of each undergraduate's academic career, and is the opening event of Commencement week. The service is prepared and coordinated by the Office of the University Chaplain; the chaplain, president, and deans preside, students from each of the undergraduate schools participate.

For more information, visit the University Commencement website.

GS Class Day

Monday, May 18, 2009
5-6:30 p.m.
Morningside Campus, South Field Lawn
Grads: Academic regalia required, grads must report by 4:00 p.m. to to Roone Arledge Auditorium, Lerner Hall. Enter on Broadway side.
Alumni: Academic regalia required.
Guests: Tickets are not required.

For detailed information, see the Class Day page.

Presentation of degree candidates to the President and assembled faculty and guests. Reception following ceremony until 8:00 p.m. on Furnald Lawn.

All alumni are invited to attend the Class Day ceremony. This year, alumni from classes ending in '4 or '9 are invited to participate in the Class Day procession. To learn more about serving on the Reunion Committee and becoming an alumni marcher please contact Sheila Brogan-Testa at sab143@columbia.edu.

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.

For detailed information, see the Commencement page.

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 Columbia. The ceremony includes awards to honorary degree recipients and outstanding Columbia teachers. If it rains, Commencement still takes place outside.

GS Post-Commencement Reception

Wednesday, May 20, 2009
12-1:30 p.m.
GS Lounge, Lewisohn Hall
Grads and Guests: Open to all GS grads and their guests. No tickets required.

Here you may meet your advisors and deans, get your official Columbia alumni card, and arrange to meet your family after the Commencement ceremony. May grads may pick up diplomas at this event until 1:30 p.m. Diplomas not picked up at this event may be picked up in 210 Kent beginning May 21. If diplomas are not picked up within two weeks, they will be mailed to graduates.