Monday, May 14, 4-8 p.m.: Boat Cruise Tuesday, May 15, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Journalism Day and Class Photo Wednesday, May 16, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Columbia University Commencement Wednesday, May 16, 3-5 p.m.: Journalism School Graduation Ceremony and Reception
** The Journalism School Graduation Ceremony on May 16 was recorded. Footage of the ceremony will be available soon; please check back here.
Student Affairs will hold four sessions where students can learn about the various graduation events, grading and honors, awards and more. All sessions will be in the Stabile Student Center:
Thursday, April 12, 6-7 p.m.
Monday, April 23, 1-2 p.m.
Tuesday, May 1, 1-2 p.m.
Wednesday, May 9, 6-7 p.m.
To check that your diploma application has been received, please log in to SSOL. Once logged in,
please refer to the "Your Data" section on the right. Under "Academic Records" you will find
"Degree Application Status."
If you do not have an application listed there, you MUST complete an Application for Degree
or Certificate (form download at bottom of page), print, sign and return it to the Diploma
Division in 210 Kent Hall. You can also save the form and submit it electronically to diplomas@columbia.edu.
DEADLINE: Friday, March 9, at 5 p.m. If you miss the deadline, you will not
receive your diploma in time for the ceremony.
All those who graduate in May 2012, and those who graduated in October 2011 and February 2012,
are REQUIRED to complete the Graduation Program/Ceremony Form.
Please note: This includes dual-degree students who are completing the Journalism School portion
of their degrees. You are eligible to march with your classmates even though you won't receive
your actual diploma until you finish both degrees.
Students will receive their tickets after completing their graduation survey. The survey will be
available online in early May. Each graduate receives three (3) tickets to the Journalism
School ceremony and four (4) tickets to the University Commencement ceremony.
Part-time students can contact the Student Services Coordinator, Chanel Roche, at cr2586@columbia.edu about having tickets mailed, if necessary.
For guests who live outside the United States and need proof of a student’s graduation to receive permission to visit, an official letter confirming student status and graduation date may be provided.
To receive a letter, please email all required information to the Student Services Coordinator,
Chanel Roche, at cr2586@columbia.edu
Required Information:
Student’s name
Student's passport number
Student's current immigration status
Each relative's name (exactly as it appears on passport)
Each relative's relationship to the graduating student (i.e., mother, father, aunt, etc.)
Country of citizenship/origin
Dates of visit (for purposes of attending graduation ceremonies)
Monday, May 14, 4-8 p.m.
New York Skyports Marina (East River and 23rd Street)
SPJ and the Dean's Office invite you to join students, faculty, adjuncts, staff and guests as we
cruise the Hudson River.
No RSVP required. Free for current students, faculty, adjuncts and staff (bring CUID).
Guests: $20 each (cash only, bring to the boat; parents, spouses, significant others, friends, grandparents, aunts, uncles, all are welcome). Children under 5: no charge; children
under 12: $10. The boat holds 500 people on two covered levels.
The cruise includes a cash bar and our own DJ. There will also be a "cash food bar" for
$5 per plate (i.e., chicken, pasta, salad, rice, etc.).
Before sailing, the awards for SPJ Teacher of the Year and SPJ Student of the Year will be
presented. Shhhhhh, it's a surprise!
Attire should be "holiday party-ish," or, as we like to say, "reporter semi-formal"
(dressy, but no tuxedo required).
Directions to New York Skyports Marina Subway: 6, N, Q or R to 23rd Street, and walk 4 blocks east
Bus: M23 bus to East 23rd Street and the FDR Drive Driving directions
There are several hotels within a short distance of campus. When calling for a reservation, mention
you are visting Columbia to see if a special rate may apply; however, we do not guarantee lower
rates. We recommend making a reservation as soon as possible.
In addition, Columbia University Guest and Conference Housing will offer a limited number of on-campus rooms to parents and families of Columbia graduates. Rooms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning in the spring semester.
Please refer to the Commencement Housing Web site for details regarding rates, amenities,
cancellation policies and reservations.
Tuesday, May 15, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Miller Theatre Guests: No (open to students and faculty only) Attire: Business; no caps and gowns
The annual Pringle Lecture is delivered and student prizes are awarded. Prize winners will be
recognized again in front of their families and guests during the Journalism School Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday. The general program is:
Wednesday, May 16, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Low Library Plaza
Guests: Each student receives four (4) tickets for guests Attire: Caps and gowns are mandatory
Join the entire Columbia University community as President Bollinger leads the University Commencement ceremony.
Wednesday, May 16, 3-5 p.m. (seating begins at 2:15 p.m.)
Roone Arledge Auditorium, Lerner Hall
Guests: Each student receives three (3) tickets for guests Attire: Business; no caps and gowns
Journalism School graduates will receive their diplomas and hear a graduation speech by the
recipient of the Columbia Journalism Award, the school's highest honor, presented annually
to a journalist for distinguished service to the profession.
This event wil be webcast live by Columbia University. Link to come.
Dean sree-knee-VAH-sun, who will be reading your name and hometown out loud, will spend several weeks working on them. Please seek him out so he can practice both with you.
Graduates will be photographed with their diploma as they exit the stage, and will have options
to purchase these photographs.
A reception immediately follows on Furnald Lawn between Lerner Hall and the Journalism School.
Please e-mail Barbara Fasciani at bf55@columbia.edu if you have guests with special needs.
On March 20, 21 and 22 the Columbia University Bookstore in Lerner Hall will hold its annual
Grad Fair. The Grad Fair is an opportunity for all degree candidates to purchase Commencement
regalia (worn only for the Columbia University ceremony, not the Journalism School one), announcements, rings, diploma frames, and more.
Caps and gowns will be for sale up to the day of Commencement; however, as Commencement
nears, size availability cannot be guaranteed. The bookstore is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. -
9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Master's Regalia
The Master's regalia is custom-designed in Columbia blue fabric with Columbia crowns
embroidered on the front panels. These gowns are not rentals, but souvenirs, and are yours
to keep. No preordering is required.
The Master's regalia—cap, gown and tassel—is $56 plus tax.
Note to Master's Degree candidates living outside the New York metropolitan area: If you prefer to
have your regalia shipped to you, you may download and submit the Master's regalia order form.
Doctoral Regalia
The doctoral gown features black velvet chevrons and panels with Columbia crowns embroidered
on the front panels. There is a pocket slit to allow access to clothing beneath the robe. The hood
is designed to represent your degree, discipline and Alma Mater.
This regalia is available for either rental or purchase. Please download and submit the
Doctoral regalia order form.
Please note: April 6 is the deadline to order Doctoral regalia without incurring a $20 late fee.
Military Recognition
Graduates who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces are invited to wear a red, white and blue
honor cord at Commencement Week ceremonies in recognition of their service. Cords will be
provided by the University to any eligible graduate who requests one. To request a cord,
please contact Amber Griffiths at ag2943@columbia.edu by Friday, May 11, 2012.
Class Ring and Announcements
Class rings and personalized graduation announcements may be ordered through our graduation
partner Balfour at Class Ring. Traditional announcements may be purchased at the bookstore.
Free One-Year Subscription to CJR
Throughout the year, you have received copies of CJR near your student mailboxes. The CJR staff
hopes you found each issue interesting, informative and useful, and we would like to offer you a free
additional one-year subscription.
To accept, please email Joe Duax your name, email address, and mailing address by May 11, 2012,
and please refer to this offer. Please specify print or digital edition; both email and mailing
addresses are required, regardless of the edition you choose.
The one-year subscription will begin with the July/August '12 issue and end with the May/June '13
issue. If you take advantage of this offer later than May 2012, your subscription will still end with
the May/June '13 issue. Around January next year you will receive notice that your subscription is
about to expire, and we hope you opt to renew as a paid subscriber.
Congratulations and good luck. —The CJR Staff
Columbia Alumni Arts League (CAAL) Class of 2012 Gift: Free Membership
Sign up for your free Columbia Alumni Arts League membership (normally $25), because your
discounts don’t have to end after Commencement.
Created by Columbia alumni, for Columbia alumni, Columbia Alumni Arts League membership continues your CUArts benefits as a recent graduate. Sign up for your free CAAL membership, and continue to experience the best of arts and culture without breaking your budget. CAAL offers
alumni benefits and discounts to over 65 leading arts organizations, weekly exclusive events,
and curated information about New York City arts. Check back; signup information will be
available shortly.
