Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Please check back in the fall for information regarding Commencement Weekend, May 23-25, 2025.
Arts Quad Diagram for 1st Ceremony lineup
Arts Quad Diagram for 2nd Ceremony lineup 1st Ceremony 8:00 a.m./2nd Ceremony 12:30 p.m. – arrive on Arts Quad to prepare for procession Arrive on Arts Quad, wear cap & gown, assemble with your conferring college for the procession to Schoellkopf Field. Ushers will assist in organizing the procession lineup. Your family should be seated at the stadium by this time, not on the Arts Quad with you.
1st Ceremony 9:00 a.m./2nd Ceremony 1:30 p.m. – procession to stadium begins The academic procession will move counterclockwise around the Arts Quad and proceed to Schoellkopf Field. The university marshal will lead the procession past the presidential reviewing party on Olin Terrace and continue on to Schoellkopf Field.
1st Ceremony 9:15 a.m./2nd Ceremony 1:45 p.m. – procession arrives at Schoellkopf Field Upon arrival at the stadium, ushers will direct you to seats on Schoellkopf Field. Rapid movement is essential, with no stops or gaps in the procession. You will be seated with your conferring college, just as you assembled and processed to the stadium.
1st Ceremony 10:00-11:00 a.m./2nd Ceremony 2:30-3:30 p.m. – Commencement Ceremony Following the university president’s speech, each college will be asked to rise at appropriate times for degree conferral. At the conclusion of the ceremony, please remain standing as the president, college deans, trustees, administrators, and the faculty exit from Schoellkopf Field. Please refrain from throwing your caps, as the hard edges can be dangerous and cause injury.
1st Ceremony 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m./2nd Ceremony 3:30-4:00 p.m. – Exiting Stadium You will exit at field level while your family exits at other locations. Due to large crowds leaving the stadium, plan to meet your family at your next event.
Make sure everyone in your party knows your college and department so they can meet you at the correct location.
Dining
Food and beverages will be available at several locations on and off campus during the weekend. Visit our Dining section. 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.
Commencement is the university ceremony for conferring all graduate and undergraduate degrees in all colleges. The two ceremonies take place Saturday at Schoellkopf Stadium. Wearing cap & gown, you will assemble on the Arts Quad to march with your college in the academic procession to Schoellkopf, then rise with your college for degree conferral during the ceremony. You will not cross the stage for individual recognition at these ceremonies. Please visit the Commencement Ceremonies section for details.
College events take place throughout the weekend, and vary from recognition ceremonies to informal receptions. Be sure everyone in your party knows your college and department, as well as the date, time, and location of your specific event so they may plan accordingly to meet you there. You and your family don’t want to miss your college or department event, especially if it offers individual recognition.
The Cornell Store
Class of 2024 Grad Fair – April 17 & 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. open to ALL graduates. Stop by the Cornell Store for exclusive sales on diploma frames, class rings, and other Class of 2024 merchandise. Review important commencement information with the Commencement Office staff. Enter to win amazing prizes! See you there.
The Cornell Store is happy to welcome graduates and guests to our stores during Commencement Weekend, Thursday, May 23 – Sunday, May 26!
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.
Cornellian Yearbook
Order your 2024 yearbook, Cornell University’s official yearbook, “The Cornellian”, 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: 607-255-7179 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.
We are asking each graduate to register by May 24, 2024 to participate in their conferring college’s ceremony at either the 10:00 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. University Commencement ceremony.
Graduates must register themselves and indicate the number of guests by completing this registration form. After submitting, an email is sent confirming registration. If guests’ plans change or are unable to attend, we do not need to be notified of the change in numbers.
Note: College/School and Department Events are listed here and some may require graduates to RSVP separately from the University Commencement ceremony. Be sure to review the information for the college/school and department to know when and where event(s) will take place during Commencement weekend.
If you are inviting international family or friends to come for your graduation, they may need an invitation letter for a B-2 Tourist Visa. The letter does not come from any office at Cornell. As the person inviting international guests to come for your graduation, the invitation letter must be written by YOU, their host. The Office of Global Learning has posted instructions for students to follow. (Note: Google or Firefox are recommended browsers for the Office of Global Learning website.) Please direct all questions about the visa process to the Office of Global Learning [email protected].