Guest Arrival and Seating Information

Doors are opened for guests at 1:30 p.m. The ceremony begins promptly at 2:30 p.m. and ends at approximately 4:30 p.m. Immediately after the ceremony, guests and graduates can meet in the plaza area outside the Javits Center.

Guests enter the Javits Center through the North entrance on 40th Street and Eleventh Avenue. Each guest must have a ticket for admission. All tickets are for general admission (unreserved) seating. Graduates are strongly encouraged to distribute tickets to their guests in advance of commencement, in order to avoid lines at the Guest Services table. Please link to this page for information about Commencement tickets.

Guest with Disabilities

Guests who have special needs should contact Tom McDonald, mcdonalt@newschool.edu, 212.229.5900 x3656, in the Student Disability Services office at least three weeks before the ceremony. There is wheelchair access to the Javits Center, but guests must bring their own wheelchairs. (See information below about wheelchair rentals.) Two sign-language interpreters will be present, and a special seating area will be designated for guests with hearing impairment. The Javits Center has accessible pay phones equipped with volume control and TTY capability for persons with speech and hearing disabilities.

Wheelchair Rentals
Scootaround Mobility Product Rentals
888.441.7575

New York Surgical Supply
Motorized and manual wheelchair and scooter rentals
800.249.1188
212.255.5522
Contact: Michael Liberman

Big Apple Mobility
Motorized and manual wheelchair and scooter rentals
212.662.4548
Contact: Alex Wong

Directions

The Javits Center is located at 40th Street and Eleventh Avenue. The Javits Center's website has detailed driving directions including nearby parking options, as well as information about arrival by public transportation.

Photos

We want you to have great photos of commencement, and there are plenty of opportunities to take photos before and after the ceremony. The plaza outside the Javits Center is a recommended location for photo opportunities following the ceremony. Please note that guests are not permitted to stand in front of the platform or in the aisles to take photographs during the ceremony.

Hotels

New York City has a wide range of hotel options. We have listed a few below, including eco-friendly hotels:

Grand Hyatt New York
109 East 42nd Street
212.883.1234
The Grand Hyatt is certified by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for its environmentally sound practices in environmental education, waste reduction, energy and water conservation, sustainable purchasing, and community involvement.

The Westin NY - Times Square
270 West 43rd Street
212.201.2700
The Westin - Times Square was the first hotel in the state of New York to be recognized by the Green Seal organization and is one of the three hotels in New York City certified by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for energy efficiency, water conservation, and a comprehensive recycling system.

The Beekman Tower Hotel
3 Mitchell Place
212.224.0939
The Beekman was certified by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in recognition of its energy and water conservation, reduction in waste output, and installation of fluorescent lighting, among other initiatives.

The Benjamin
125 East 50th Street
212.715.2500
New York City's only ECOTEL-certified hotel, the Benjamin received its certification on the basis of its commitment to environmentally responsible practices and its waste, energy, and water management practices.

Restaurants

As a major tourist destination, New York City has a vast range of restaurant options, both in midtown (nearer to the Javits Center) and in the West Village (nearer to The New School's campus). Guides such as Zagats, Yelp, The Time Out New York Restaurant Guide, and the NYC Dining and Restaurant Guide are good resources. Please make reservations early for large groups.

Greening Commencement

The New School's commitment to environmental responsibility extends to Commencement.

• Commencement gowns are constructed of Repreve, a fabric made with 100 percent recycled polyester and plastic bottles.
• The programs, flyers, and invitations are printed on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
• Event banners are printed on a recycled poplin fabric.
• Flowers are locally sourced and seasonal.
• All leftover food from Commencement activities will be donated to City Harvest.
• The carbon dioxide emissions of air travel by all honorary degree candidates will be offset by the university.

Tips for "Greening" Your Visit
Here are some ideas to make your trip to New York City and your attendance at New School commencement a little more environmentally friendly.

• Travel to New York City by Train or Bus
  Airplanes emit significantly more carbon dioxide per passenger than trains or buses, and at higher altitudes the effect of greenhouse gases is amplified. For example, CO2 emissions for one passenger on a plane from Washington, DC to New York City are approximately 2.6 times greater than for a passenger on a train and 5.7 times greater than for one taking a bus.

If you have to fly, organizations such as carbonfund.org and perrapass.com sell "offsets" for the CO2 emissions produced by airplane and automobile travel. Your money goes toward research and development of renewable energy projects among other carbon-reduction projects.

• Use New York City Public Transit
  New York City's MTA is easily accessible and a low-carbon alternative to driving a car or taking cabs during your visit. In addition to being more eco-friendly, public transportation is both cheaper at $2.25 per trip for a multi-trip ticket ($2.50 for a single-ride ticket), and far less frustrating than bucking Manhattan traffic.

Read more about our commitment to sustainability.