Announcements

May 17, 2026

Outdoor Event Weather Advisory / Unseasonably Hot Weather Expected 
All events will take place outdoors. Please come prepared for hot conditions by:

  • Wearing lightweight, weather-appropriate clothing
  • Bringing a hat and sunscreen
  • Staying hydrated — bring plenty of water

We look forward to seeing you and appreciate your help staying safe and comfortable.

February 24, 2026

Dear members of the Columbia community,

We are writing to let you know that after careful deliberation and consultation with our student leaders, University Commencement is moving back to the Morningside campus. 

Two weeks ago, we shared information about changes to University Commencement, notably the change in location to Baker Athletics Complex. Our student leaders came forward to engage in a productive dialogue with the University Commencement team, to express their concerns, and to better understand the reasons for the change.

The University originally selected Baker Athletics Complex because the venue could solve several longstanding issues posed by hosting Commencement on Morningside campus. Those concerns, namely not being able to host all class day graduation ceremonies on campus, long entry lines, ticket allotment restrictions, limited sight lines for audience members, and the disruption of lawn space and restricted campus movement during the spring semester, remain real and significant. The event experience on Morningside, for 19 schools at once, has become less than ideal for all of the family and friends we welcome to campus for Commencement. 

Student leaders shared that having Commencement on the Morningside campus, as the capstone to their time at Columbia, was deeply important to their graduation experience, even with the class day graduation ceremonies on Morningside. They understood the trade-offs and pain points we were trying to alleviate with a move to Baker Athletics Complex, for example, the ability for students to have plenty of time for photos on Morningside, or getting tens of thousands of people in and out of our campus more quickly than usual to accommodate two ceremonies. Despite those challenges, they felt strongly that being together in community, in front of Low Library and Alma Mater, would be more meaningful to their graduating class and would outweigh those concerns.

The University moved quickly to consider in greater detail the possibility of two ceremonies on Morningside campus. It’s logistically challenging, but after several constructive and detailed meetings, we are delighted to report that Commencement is now shifting the celebration back to Morningside campus. While we felt we had a good understanding of the student perspective given the feedback we had received over the years, we recognize that hearing directly from our graduating students in advance of this decision would have been helpful. We appreciate the constructive feedback that was provided by our students over the last two weeks.

The original date of May 20 and times for Commencement will remain the same. The ceremony for graduate and professional schools will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and the ceremony for undergraduate schools will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The full schedule for University Commencement and additional updates are posted on the Commencement website.

We are committed to engaging with student leadership in the planning process in the years ahead and look forward to maintaining those traditions that have the deepest meaning while also exploring new ones that enhance the overall experience for our graduates and guests. 

In the meantime, we look forward to a great remainder of the spring semester and a wonderful Commencement celebration in May. 

Sincerely,
The Commencement Team

Below is the University Commencement schedule and associated FAQs.

Where will Commencement be held this year?

  • The 2026 Commencement ceremony will be held at the Morningside campus.
  • The date and times remain the same: May 20, 2026. The ceremony for graduate and professional schools will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and the ceremony for undergraduate schools will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.


Why was the Commencement ceremony initially moved to the Baker Athletics Complex?

  • The large-scale event experience for on Morningside can be less than ideal for the family and friends we welcome to campus for Commencement.
  • The Commencement team originally selected Baker Athletics Complex because the venue could solve several longstanding issues posed by hosting Commencement on Morningside campus, namely not being able to host all class day ceremonies on Morningside campus, long entry lines, ticket allotment restrictions, limited sight lines for audience members, and the disruption of lawn space and restricted campus movement during the spring semester. The University has received significant feedback over the years about these issues. 
     

What was the consultation process around the initial decision?

  • We appreciate the role that students, parents, alumni and faculty all had in sharing their feedback on commencement.
  • There have been longstanding concerns and complaints from students, graduates, their families, and alumni who have attended past Commencement ceremonies held on Morningside campus. We sought to address those concerns through a deliberative process, consulting with many stakeholders including university leadership, faculty and staff.
  • Our student leaders came forward to engage in a dialogue with the University Commencement team, to express their concerns, and to better understand the reasons for the change.
  • We appreciate both how meaningful Morningside is for our graduates and felt confident that being able to host all class day ceremonies for Morningside schools on campus would uphold this tradition. It had also been the intention of the Commencement team to engage with students on creating a celebratory opportunity on Morningside campus in between the two ceremonies at Baker.
  • Our student leaders explained that the trade-offs and the pain points we were trying to solve with Baker were less important than having their University Commencement on Morningside campus.
  • Given the continuation of the constraints on Morningside, the University and Commencement team are committed to more robust engagement with student leadership in the commencement process and plans going forward. 
     

Was Commencement moved for any other reason, such as to punish students?

  • No. Absolutely not.
  • The move to Baker was made solely to address longstanding logistical challenges at our commencement ceremonies, namely not being able to host all class day ceremonies on Morningside, long entry lines, ticket allotment restrictions, limited sight lines for audience members, and the disruption of lawn space and restricted campus movement during the spring semester.
     

How will the University address those logistical challenges at Morningside?

  • There are, of course, tradeoffs with holding the ceremonies at Morningside and many logistical challenges remain with this plan, but we will work to make the Commencement ceremonies the best that they can be for our graduating students.
  • Having two ceremonies will alleviate some of these issues, but of course, may create additional challenges, including the need to quickly clear campus after the first ceremony to prepare for the second one.
  • Guests and graduates can expect:
    • Entry congestion, particularly during peak arrival periods
    • Crowded sidewalks and heavy pedestrian traffic
    • Outdoor guest seating on a first-come, first-served basis
    • Limited sight lines with screens for viewing
    • Temporary lawn closures and restricted campus access starting Mid-April
    • Guests and students will not be able to remain on campus following the first ceremony, as the campus must be cleared and prepared for the second event
  • To support the day:
    • Gates will open early to help stagger arrival
    • Indoor and overflow viewing spaces will be available if outdoor seating areas reach capacity
    • Detailed arrival guidance, maps, and timing recommendations will be shared in advance
    • Additional staff and signage will be in place to assist guests

 

University Commencement: Graduate Ceremony
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.


University Commencement: Undergraduate Ceremony
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.