We are excited to have you visit Ithaca and the beautiful Cornell campus for Cornell University Commencement Weekend on May 23 – 25, 2025.
Please click on the topics below to see what our typical plans are for the weekend. We’ll be updating specific details during the summer and fall and ask that you check back often for updates for information about Commencement Weekend 2025.
Make sure everyone in your party knows the student’s college and which ceremony you are to attend based on graduate’s conferring college. Your graduate will not always be with you or reachable by phone, so you need this information.
You’d be surprised how easily family members, especially guests without a phone, get separated from the group and need to know where to meet their family. Some students give every family member a card that has the student’s college name written down in case phone batteries deplete, WiFi is unreliable, or cell towers are overloaded. This is especially helpful for family members who do not speak fluent English, as they can show the card for help to staff on campus.
Dining
Food and beverages will be available at several locations on and off campus during the weekend. Visit our Dining section for details. We encourage guests to bring snacks to have on hand, especially for young children, elderly family members, or guests with special dietary needs.
Lodging
Visit our Lodging section for more information about on-campus housing and local housing options.
The Cornell Store
The Cornell Store is happy to welcome graduates and guests to our stores during Commencement Weekend, Thursday, May 23 – Sunday, May 26! Please check back in the spring for more details. Commencement Weekend store hours are listed below. All updates regarding Commencement Weekend at The Cornell Store will be posted at: The Cornell Store. List of all retail locations and hours.
The Cornell Store (Main Campus, 135 Ho Plaza)
Friday, May 24: 8:30am-7pm
Saturday, May 25: 9am-7pm
Sunday, May 26: 10am-5pm
Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day): Closed
The Cornell Store on the Ithaca Commons
Friday, May 24: 10am-9pm
Saturday, May 25: 10am-9pm
Sunday, May 26: 10am-6pm
Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day): 11am-5pm
The Cornell Store at the Statler Hotel (Statler Hotel Lobby)
Friday, May 24: 8am-7pm
Saturday, May 25: 8am-7pm
Sunday, May 26: 8am-5pm
Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day): 10am-3pm
Announcements
Order formal customized graduation announcements from Balfour to inform family and friends of accomplishments. The ceremony date of May 25, 2024 is on the announcement. Balfour also offers thank you notes, etiquette seals, custom seal note cards, return address labels, and certificates of appreciation. For questions regarding specific degree information to print on customized announcements, please contact your college registrar.
Class Rings
The Cornell Store works with Balfour to provide Cornell rings in a variety of styles for men and women.
Diploma Frames
Diplomas are mailed to graduates in late June. They are not given out at the ceremonies.
A variety of quality USA made diploma frames are available in-store and online at The Cornell Store throughout the year.
Flower Bouquets to Order
Flower Bouquets may be pre-ordered online here through The Cornell Store. Orders may be picked up at the booth located conveniently at: The Cornell Store on May 24-May 26 from 9am-5pm or Schoellkopf Stadium at a table on the Crescent concourse on May 25 from 8am-5pm or Bartels Hall, outside under a tent on Friday and Saturday.
Cornellian Yearbook
Order the 2024 yearbook, “The Cornellian”, Cornell University’s official yearbook, now! The Cornellian yearbook ordering information Please direct yearbook questions to Cornellian.
Pets are not allowed at any Commencement events during the weekend, be it indoors or outdoors.
In accordance with State and Federal requirements, service animals are permitted.
SAFETY: To enroll your cell phone to receive emergency notifications, text “CornellVisitor” to 226787.
The safety and security of everyone on campus is of great importance to Cornell University. so please review security measures for Commencement Weekend.
Lost & Found
Phone:
607-255-7197
Working Hours in G-2 Barton Hall
Friday, May 24 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday, May 25 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday, May 26 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
CLEAR BAG POLICY: To uphold health and safety protocols, minimize contact and ensure a swifter entry process, a clear bag policy is strongly encouraged at the University Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday at Schoellkopf Field. Other weekend events are encouraging clear bags as well.
If a bag is necessary, it must be clear and all bags are subject to inspection.
Permissible bags include clear totes (not exceeding 12”x6”x12”), 1-gallon clear storage bags, or strapless/handheld clutches (not exceeding 6.5″ x 4.5″).
Diaper bags must be accompanied with a child.
Cornell reserves the right to search persons, property, and non-transparent bags at various entrances.
No alcohol or glass bottles allowed in the Stadium.
No pets allowed, unless a service animal at Schoellkopf Stadium.
All family members, guests and friends of graduates must have a ticket to enter Schoellkopf Field for the University Commencement Ceremonies. Graduating students do not need a ticket if participating in the ceremony.
Participating students must reserve tickets for friends, families and guests and distribute to them directly. Tickets may only be reserved by participating graduates.
We encourage you to connect directly with your graduate to obtain the electronic tickets or printable tickets from an email sent to you by your graduate.
Commencement Ceremonies will take place outside at Schoellkopf Stadium on Saturday, even in the rain. Be prepared to sit in hot sun or rain. Umbrellas are allowed in the stadium. However, if potentially dangerous weather, torrential downpour, high winds, lightning, or any other condition is deemed too unsafe to hold the ceremonies at Schoellkopf Field, we will enact our Severe Weather Plan and the ceremonies affected will be canceled and unable to be rescheduled. Please review the Severe Weather Plan for details.
Both Commencement Ceremonies will be livestreamed starting at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, May 25, 2024. Watch the livestream broadcast of each of the two in-person events or the recorded broadcast at a later time.
1st University Commencement Ceremony Livestream @ 9:00 AM EST
2nd University Commencement Ceremony Livestream @ 1:30 PM EST