Graduate Arrival Information
On the day of graduation, please report to Madison Square Garden no later than 1:15 p.m. Please bring a photo ID with you for admittance. For security reasons, all graduates and their guests will be scanned and their bags will be searched before they enter the building. Please allow appropriate extra time. Use the main Box Office Entrance at Seventh Avenue and 32nd Street and report to the Expo Center for robing, marching instructions, and lineup. You may not leave any belongings in the Expo Center during the ceremony; do not bring anything to Commencement other than your cap and gown. Please bring your gown, but do not wear it, as you will not be allowed to pass through Madison Square Garden security wearing your cap and gown. The ceremony will end at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Students who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility must contact Tom McDonald in the Student Disability Office at 212.229.5900 x3656 at least three weeks before the ceremony to discuss the layout of the commencement space. Students with other types of disabilities, including vision and hearing-based impairments, should contact Tom McDonald as well to discuss any special needs.
Graduation Announcements
Students will receive five non-personalized announcements with their tickets, courtesy of the university. Beginning Sunday, November 15, 2009, personalized announcements may be ordered online at www.herff-jones.com/college/graduation. Please be advised that personalized announcements will be delivered approximately two weeks after the order date.
Cap, Gown, and Hood
If you petitioned by March 30 and you indicated on your petition that you plan to attend Commencement, a cap, gown, and hood have been ordered for you. Caps and gowns for students from all divisions including Mannes will be distributed at 66 West 12th Street, room 510, Monday, May 17, through Wednesday, May 19, 2010, from 12:00—7:00 p.m. You must pick up your cap and gown in advance of the ceremony.
You must bring a photo ID when you pick up your cap and gown. Please be prepared to pay $50 in cash when you receive your gown. If you must send someone else to pick up your cap and gown for you, please provide your representative with a signed letter from you authorizing him or her to do so. The person must be prepared to present his or her photo ID and make payment.
Directions to Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden is located on Seventh Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets.
If you are coming by car, drive into Manhattan via any connecting bridge, tunnel, or road. Meyers Parking at Madison Square Garden, has locations at the following addresses:
230 West 31st Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues: 212.736.8233
325 West 34th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues: 212.279.7310
340 West 31st Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues: 212.594.1915
If you are coming by subway, take the 1, 2, or 3 (Seventh Avenue lines) or the A, C, or E (Eighth Avenue lines) to 34th Street/Penn Station. You can also take the B, D, F, N, Q, R, V, or W or the PATH train to 34th Street/Avenue of the Americas and walk one block west.
If you are coming by bus, take the M4, M10, M34, M16, or Q32.
Cellular Phones
We ask that all students turn off cellular phones during the ceremony.
Diploma
Diplomas will not be distributed at commencement. After grades are received and entered and a final evaluation is performed, diplomas will be ordered for students who have met all degree requirements. The Registrar’s Office will notify you as soon as your diploma is available, approximately three months after Commencement.
