Location: South Lawn, Morningside Campus
The South Lawns are located on lower campus, between Butler Library and College Walk. The West Lawn is adjacent to Lerner Hall, the Journalism Building and Furnald Lawn.
Address and Map
Arrivals
Students
Students will be checked in by Columbia Business School staff and, if applicable, their Cluster Leads. Please arrive at the Alfred Lerner Hall with your CUID. CUID is required to enter the facility. You will line up in Lerner Auditorium.
Student Arrival Times
- EMBA and PhD: 7:00 AM
- MBA and MS: 11:30 AM
Regalia
Regalia (your cap and gown) is required to participate in the Recognition Ceremonies. Columbia University Masters regalia can be picked up at the Columbia Bookstore (located on the Morningside Campus). They are open every day from 9 AM - 6 PM. EMBA students can connect with our office for more information.
Graduation Guidelines
- Commencement season is a time to celebrate and enjoy the accomplishments of our graduates. To honor the spirit and significance of this occasion, we do not permit the interruption of speakers or audience disruptions.
- All participants and guests attending Commencement season event(s) understand and agree to follow the responsibilities set forth in University policies, including the Rules of University Conduct and Standards and Discipline. Those found in violation will be asked to discontinue and may be asked to leave the venue.
Guests
Guests will queue up on 114 Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. All guests will require a ticket for entrance to the stadium. We recommend your guests print or screenshot their ticket (with the QR code visible). All tickets can be found using your Tassle log in information.
Guest Arrival Times
- EMBA and PhD: Gate opens at 7:00 AM
- MBA: Gate opens at 10:30 AM
Accessible Guest Arrival
Guests with disabilities or limited mobility, older individuals needing assistance, or those in need of sign language interpretation will queue on Amsterdam Avenue and 116th Street. There will be a designated line with members of the Disability Services Team there to support your guests.
Ticketing
All guests must have a ticket. It is the responsibility of each graduate to ensure that their guests have received their tickets in advance of the ceremony. Children under the age of three do not require a ticket.
What to Bring
Don't leave home without it! Here's how you can prepare:
- Have tickets printed, saved, loaded, and/or ready to scan.
- Guests will be required to present a government ID upon entering the facility (e.g. license, passport, etc.).
- Pre-filled, reusable water bottle.
- Prepare for inclement weather.
- Wear comfortable footwear; heels are not recommended.
- Fully charged phone (and maybe even an external battery).
- Pack light! Bags, backpacks, and purses larger than 5x7 inches are not permitted. All guests will be subject to bag checks at entry.
Prohibited Items
It's important to remember what to bring, but also think about what not to bring. Balloons, sky lanterns, and other celebratory embellishments such as large placards, signs, or flags are not permitted at Commencement events. We hope to work together as a community to reduce waste, avoid potential tree entanglements, and provide an unobstructed and positive experience for all our graduates and guests. Prohibited items include: outside food or drinks; glass bottles; pets or animals (certified service animals are allowed); clothing deemed obscene or offensive; weapons of any kind, firearms, and knives; laser pointers; pepper spray/mace; lighters or matches; balloons, signs, posters, banners, flyers, or any items that could obstruct the view of guests and graduates; flags or flag posts; amplified sound items and noisemaking devices including cowbells and airhorns; and any item that may interfere with and/or distract graduation speakers, graduates, or guests.
Directions to the South Lawns
Graduates and their guests are encouraged to take public transportation. Travel like a New Yorker and use the subway. For most people, New York City's subway system will be the best way to get to and from Columbia University during Commencement season. To avoid the hassle of buying a subway card, you can tap to pay your fare at turnstiles using your contactless bank card or your smartphone’s digital wallet.
- BEST OPTION: NYC subway
- Take the number 1 Train to 116th Street station. The Number 1 Train runs about every 4 minutes during the day and early evening hours and serves the entire length of Manhattan’s west side. It connects many key locations including Midtown, Penn Station, Times Square, Lower Manhattan, Upper West Side, West Harlem, and Washington Heights. Travel time from Midtown to Columbia’s Morningside Campus at 116th Street is approximately 20 minutes.
* Please note that the 116th Street subway station is not wheelchair accessible; the nearest accessible subway station is 96th Street.
- Using Google Maps, navigate to:
- Morningside Campus: Columbia University, 116th Street and Broadway, New York, NY
- Medical Center Campus: Best to use an exact street address, but can use Columbia University Irving Medical Center for the general location
- Manhattanville Campus: Best to use an exact street address, but can use 601 W 125th Street for the general location
- Additional travel tips, apps, and maps:
- Download an offline version of the NYC Subway map for Google Play or Apple.
- Download an offline map of the NYC area on Google Maps so you can search basic destinations while traveling between stops on the subway where there’s no cell signal or WiFi.
- Download the Transit app for real-time transit information and arrival countdowns.
- Columbia University campus maps
Parking
There is no on-campus parking available during Commencement season. Due to the large number of visitors to campus and the space limitations of many garages, allow ample time to find parking. A list of nearby garages is provided below. Please call ahead to confirm availability. (This list is intended for reference only and does not constitute a recommendation by the University).
There is very limited parking available on the street. If you do find a spot on the street, take careful note of postings indicating parking restrictions. Many streets surrounding campus are blocked off and kept clear during Commencement Week. Cars parked in restricted areas are at risk of being towed.
If you are driving to campus with a guest requiring assistance, there are gates on Amsterdam Avenue designated for guests with disabilities, those with limited mobility, and the elderly. Learn more about Disability Services on Commencement Day.
Parking Locations
125 St Waterfront LLC
627 West 125th Street
Between St. Claire’s Place and West 125th
212-665-4929
Open 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Mon–Fri)
Open 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Sat-Sun)
Claremont Parking Corp.
Riverside Church
West 120th Street
Between Claremont Avenue and Riverside Drive
212-870-6736
Open 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. (Mon–Fri)
Open 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. (Sat-Sun)
Manhattan Parking 110 LLC (small cars only)
543 West 110th Street
Between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue
212-222-7813
Open 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. (Mon–Sun)
MTP 3300 Broadway Corp
3270 Broadway (Broadway & 131 Street)
212- 280-7487
Open 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Mon–Sat)
Open 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Sun)
MTP 125th Waterfront LLC
69th St. Clair Place (W 125th & Hudson River Greenway)
212-665-4929
Open 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Mon–Fri)
Open 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Sat–Sun)
Quickpark (small cars only)
808 Columbus Avenue
Additional Entrance at the corner of West 97th Street
212-866-2288
Open 24/7
Uni Facility Corp
631 West 131 Street
Between Broadway and 12th Avenue
212-368-2579
Open 9:00 a.m. –11:45 p.m. (Mon)
Open 9:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m. (Tues—Fri)
Closed Sat—Sun
West Side Parking (small cars only)
234 West 108th Street
Between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue
212-222-8800
Open 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Reception
Reception
All graduates and their Recognition Ceremony ticket holders are welcome! More details will be shared in March.
2024 Digital Programs
MBA Recognition Digital Program
Please click the link below to access the MBA Recognition Ceremony Digital Program.
Executive MBA & PhD Recognition Digital Program
Please click the link below to access the Executive MBA and PhD Recognition Ceremony Digital Program.