How to Prepare for University Commencement

Smiling Grads

Graduating Students

Here’s what you need to know:

Bring the Essentials

  • Regalia Required: You’ve earned this moment—dress the part! Regalia is required to participate in University Commencement. Graduates must arrive with regalia unzipped, as checks may take place before entry or during lineup.
  • Your graduate e-ticket: Your student e-ticket and guest e-tickets will be delivered on May 11. Download or screenshot your QR code in advance and encourage your guests to do the same. This will help guarantee that you can access your e-ticket if Wi-Fi or cellular service is limited.
    • Apple/Google Wallet e-tickets are preferred, but PDF tickets will also be accepted at the gate.
    • Graduates must transfer their e-tickets electronically to their guests.
  • Your CUID (Columbia ID).
  • A reusable water bottle—stay hydrated while being sustainable. Fountains and refill stations will be available.
  • Rain or shine, the ceremony goes on! Be prepared for inclement weather—small umbrellas, ponchos, sunglasses, or sun hats, depending on the forecast.
     

What NOT to Bring:

  • Columbia University asks graduates and guests to travel light. Bags of any type and gifts are not permitted for University Commencement. Wallets and small clutches are allowed but subject to screening upon entry. Exceptions for ADA, nursing, and medically necessary items will be permitted following inspection. Any item requiring additional screening may delay entry.
  • The full list of what you cannot bring:
    • Obstructive or Disruptive Items
      ▪ Signs, placards, or banners of any kind
      ▪ Balloons or sky lanterns
      ▪ Any item that obstructs views or interferes with amplified sound
      ▪ Noise-making devices, including airhorns and cowbells
      ▪ Any item that may interfere with or distract graduation speakers, graduates, or guests
    • Dangerous Items
      ▪ Weapons of any kind, including pepper spray or mace
      ▪ Sharp objects or laser pointers
      ▪ Any other item deemed dangerous, inappropriate, or in violation of University policies
       

Know Your Line-Up Spot

  • All graduating students enter campus at 120th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam.
    • Graduate Ceremony: line up begins at 7:30 a.m.
    • Undergraduate Ceremony: line up begins at 2:30 p.m.
    • Barnard and Teachers College graduates: You will line up at your campus first.
       

If you need accommodations, make sure you’ve coordinated with Disability Services in advance. Our accessible entrance will be located at 116th Street & Amsterdam gates.

Guest Coordination

  • Send your guests their e-tickets in advance.
  • Remind them to head to the correct campus entrance on their ticket.
  • Plan a meeting spot for after the ceremony. Graduating students and guests are seated separately. With large crowds, it can be tricky to find each other.
     

Share the Celebration via the Livestream!
Not everyone can be there in person—but they can still cheer you on from anywhere! Send the link to family and friends who don’t have a ticket. The stream will be available on the Commencement website.

Guests

Have Your E-Ticket Ready: No ticket = no entry. Guest e‑tickets are required for anyone age 3 and older. Lost e-tickets will not be replaced. Download and/or screenshot your QR code in advance. This will help guarantee that you can access your e-ticket if Wi-Fi or cellular service is limited.

  • Apple/Google Wallet e-tickets are preferred, but PDF tickets will also be accepted at the gate.
  • Graduates must transfer their e-tickets electronically to their guests.


Graduate Ceremony Timing: 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 
Undergraduate Ceremony Timing: 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

University Commencement Guest Map

Go to Your Designated Entrance

  • Your ticket shows your assigned campus entrance—head straight there.
    • Entry will begin at 8:30 a.m. for the Graduate Ceremony, and 3:00 p.m. for the Undergraduate Ceremony.
    • Guests join the queue at 120th St. & Broadway or 120th St. & Amsterdam, based on your ticket.
    • Guests requiring accessibility assistance should arrive at 116th St. & Amsterdam Ave. Disability services staff will be on-site on the day of the event to direct and assist individuals to their seats.
  • Guest seating areas are separate from graduate seating on Low Plaza.
  • Rideshare Services
    • Broadway Guest e-tickets - Broadway ticket holders should input Columbia University Broadway Entrance
    • Amsterdam Guest e-tickets - Amsterdam ticket holders should input Columbia University Amsterdam Entrance
    • ADA / Accessible drop-off - Accessible drop-off will be on 116th & Amsterdam on the West (Campus) side of the road
       

Shuttle Services will be making rounds at the following locations to bring guests to the ADA entrance: 

  • 114th Street & Broadway
  • 116th Street & Broadway
  • 118th Street & Broadway
  • 120th Street & Broadway
  • 120th Street & Amsterdam Avenue
     

Post-Ceremony Meet-Up: With large crowds and limited campus access, finding your graduate afterward can be tricky. Pick a meeting spot ahead of time to avoid confusion.

Bring the Essentials

  • Don’t forget a valid photo ID.
  • Bring a reusable water bottle—fountains and refill stations will be available.
  • Rain or shine, the ceremony goes on! Be prepared for inclement weather—small umbrellas, ponchos, sunglasses, or sun hats, depending on the forecast.
  • Flowers are lovely, and you may notice several vendors selling bouquets on the perimeter of campus; if you would like to purchase flowers, we recommend doing so on the way out of commencement
     

What NOT to Bring:

  • Columbia University asks graduates and guests to travel light. Bags of any type and gifts are not permitted for University Commencement. Wallets and small clutches are allowed but subject to screening upon entry. Exceptions for ADA, nursing, and medically necessary items will be permitted following inspection. Any item requiring additional screening may delay entry.
  • The full list of what you cannot bring:
    • Obstructive or Disruptive Items
      ▪ Signs, placards, or banners of any kind
      ▪ Balloons or sky lanterns
      ▪ Any item that obstructs views or interferes with amplified sound
      ▪ Noise-making devices, including airhorns and cowbells
      ▪ Any item that may interfere with or distract graduation speakers, graduates, or guests
    • Dangerous Items
      ▪ Weapons of any kind, including pepper spray or mace
      ▪ Sharp objects or laser pointers
      ▪ Any other item deemed dangerous, inappropriate, or in violation of University policies


Feeling sick? Stay home and  tune in virtually.

By participating in the University Commencement ceremony, all participants are giving consent to being photographed, filmed, and recorded. Please note that these photos and recordings may be shared publicly or on social media at the discretion of the University, and an archived video will be made available online for viewing after the event.

Commencement season is a time to celebrate and enjoy the accomplishments of our graduates. To honor the spirit and significance of this occasion, we do not permit the interruption of speakers or audience disruptions. Currently, all participants and guests attending Commencement season event(s) understand and agree to follow the responsibilities set forth in University policies, including the Rules of University Conduct, Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy, and the Standards and Discipline. Those found in violation will be asked to discontinue and may be asked to leave the venue.