Dear Class of 2024,
We hope you are enjoying your final
semester at Barnard and taking every opportunity to connect with
faculty, staff, and all of your peers. It may be hard to believe, but
Commencement is only a few months away!
I am writing to share information and
updates about the Barnard and Columbia University Commencement exercises
scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, 2024. While you should reference this
and any future emails, you can always visit the Barnard and Columbia
Commencement websites for up-to-date information and details about the
schedule of Commencement activities, distribution of caps and gowns,
accommodations for guests with disabilities or accessibility needs,
photography, parking, directions, and more.
Columbia University Commencement
for the Barnard Class of 2024 will be held the morning of Wednesday,
May 15 at 9am on Columbia’s Morningside Heights campus. Please note the
updated start time for this event. The ceremony symbolically confers
degrees to graduates from all of Columbia’s schools, colleges, and
affiliates, including Barnard College. Information about graduate
registration, ticket allocation and distribution, health and safety
guidelines, and logistics for graduates and guests will be provided
later in the Spring semester.
Immediately following the University Commencement ceremony, Barnard will host departmental receptions on our campus, where faculty celebrate with students and their guests.
Barnard Commencement
for the Class of 2024 will be held on Wednesday, May 15 at 4pm at Radio
City Music Hall in midtown Manhattan. At this ceremony, Barnard degree
candidates are individually recognized as they cross the stage. The
Commencement speaker and medalists to be honored will be announced in
the coming weeks.
Graduating students must register
themselves to participate in both the Columbia University and Barnard
College commencement ceremonies; more information about online
registration will be sent via email later in the Spring semester.
Tickets are required
for both the Barnard and Columbia Commencement ceremonies. Please note
that the Barnard Commencement and the Columbia Commencement require
separate tickets. Detailed instructions on how to reserve tickets for
each will be shared in the coming weeks.
| • | Columbia: For University Commencement, each undergraduate degree candidate may request up to four (4) guest tickets.
Barnard graduating seniors who plan on participating in University
Commencement will receive an email in the coming weeks with ticketing
instructions. Additional details can be found at the Columbia University Commencement Ticketing Website. |
| • | Barnard: Each graduate will be allocated five (5) guest tickets,
which will be available digitally. We will facilitate a free ticket
exchange so that graduates who do not need their allotted five tickets
can return them to the College for distribution to others who wish to
bring more than five guests. Students are welcome to exchange tickets
directly, at no charge, with other students as well. |
| • | Please note that selling Commencement tickets or producing fake Commencement tickets is a violation of the Barnard Honor Code. |
The mandatory rehearsal
for all graduating seniors who will participate in Barnard College
Commencement will be held on Monday, May 13. More information about
rehearsal will be communicated later in the semester.
Additional Celebrations
There are traditionally additional
end-of-year events at Barnard and Columbia. Some of these may be limited
to Barnard and Columbia community members only, while others may be
open to non-affiliate friends and family. More information about
additional celebrations will be communicated during the semester;
students should check with event organizers about specific events hosted
by the University and Barnard College.
Caps & Gowns
Caps and gowns are provided free of
charge for Barnard graduates. Caps and gowns can be picked up at the
Columbia University Bookstore starting on Monday, March 4. Caps and
gowns can also be picked up at an upcoming event for Barnard graduates
on March 22, 2024 from 11am - 5pm in the James Room in Barnard Hall.
Wheelchair Accommodations, and Other Information
Additional information about the
University Commencement event, including the University’s disability
services, can be found on Columbia’s website. Barnard’s Commencement website has additional information specific to College celebrations, as well as FAQs that will continue to be updated. You and your guests are welcome to email commencement@barnard.edu with any questions.
We hope that with this information,
students and families can begin to make their plans to attend
Commencement. We are so excited to celebrate with you this May and will
continue to share information and updates as they are available.
Sincerely,
Leslie Grinage
Vice President for Campus Life and Student Experience and Dean of the College
