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2015 Planning Guide
Dear Commencement Colleagues,
Welcome to another exciting Commencement planning season!
Commencement Week 2015 will begin on Sunday, May 17 at 9:30 a.m. with the Baccalaureate Service in St. Paul’s
Chapel. Over 35 school ceremonies and events will occur throughout that week. The University Commencement
exercises of the 261st academic year will be held on Wednesday, May 20 at 10:30 a.m. on Morningside campus.
This booklet contains information to assist you as you plan your school’s graduation ceremonies and prepare for
University Commencement. The Commencement Week website is being continuously updated with information.
Please check it regularly and refer your graduates and guests there for more information. The Commencement Office
is here to help, and we can be reached with the contact information below.
We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
The Commencement Team
Office of the President
COMMENCEMENT OFFICE
212-854-1753
[email protected]
http://commencement.columbia.edu
Share, Tweet, and Post your Commencement
Stories using #ColumbiaCommencement
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Table of Contents
I. 2015 Commencement Week Events Calendar
Page 4
II. Commencement Core Team
Page 5
III. Commencement Week Partners
Page 7
IV. Additional Commencement Week Planning Information
A. Disabilities Services during Commencement Week
Page 8
B. Academic Regalia
Page 9
C. Volunteering for Commencement Week
Page 10
D. University Commencement Tickets
Page 11
V. Key Deadlines and Important Dates
Page 12
VI. Commencement Week Planning Contacts – Quick Reference
Page 13
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2015 Commencement Week Events Calendar
Saturday, May 16
10:00 a.m.
Executive MBA Program 2015 Spring Recognition Ceremony, Levien Gymnasium
Sunday, May 17
9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Baccalaureate Service, St. Paul’s Chapel
Business School Recognition Ceremony, South Lawn
Barnard College Presentation of Degree Candidates, Barnard Campus
GSAS MA Convocation, South Lawn
GSAS PHD Convocation, South Lawn
Monday, May 18
9:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
General Studies Class Day, South Lawn
School of Continuing Education Graduation Ceremony, South Lawn
Teachers College Master’s Degree Ceremony I, Cathedral of St. John the Divine
SEAS Class Day, South Lawn
Tuesday, May 19
9:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
Columbia College Class Day, South Lawn
Journalism Day, Miller Theatre
Nursing School Graduation & White Coat Ceremony, New Balance Center, CUMC
Teachers College Master’s Degree Ceremony II, Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Physical Therapy Program Convocation & Awards Ceremony, Alumni Auditorium, CUMC
Mailman School of Public Health Awards Ceremony, Allan Rosenfield Building, CUMC
Teachers College Master’s Degree Ceremony III, Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Mailman School of Public Health Graduation Ceremony, Armory Track, CUMC
College of Physicians and Surgeons Class Day, Alumni Auditorium, CUMC
Wednesday, May 20
10:30 a.m.
University Commencement, Morningside Campus
12:45 p.m.
GSAPP: Second Professional Degree Ceremony, St. Paul’s Chapel
2:00 p.m.
School of the Arts Celebration of Graduates, Miller Theatre
2:00 p.m.
Teachers College Doctoral Hooding, Cathedral of St. John the Divine
2:00 p.m.
College of Physicians and Surgeons Graduate Ceremony, Armory Track, CUMC
2:15 p.m.
GSAPP: First Professional Degree Ceremony, St. Paul’s Chapel
3:00 p.m.
Journalism Graduation Ceremony, Lerner Hall
4:30 p.m.
College of Dental Medicine Class Day, Alumni Auditorium, CUMC
5:00 p.m.
GSAPP: Real Estate Development Graduation Ceremony, St. Paul’s Chapel
Thursday, May 21
11:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
Institute of Human Nutrition MS Year End Celebration, Lerner Hall
Occupational Therapy Graduation Ceremony, Alumni Auditorium, CUMC
College of Dental Medicine Graduation Ceremony, Armory Field, CUMC
Law School Graduation, South Lawn
SIPA Graduation, South Lawn
NROTC Commissioning Ceremony, Rotunda, Low Library
TBD
TBD
School of Social Work Commencement Ceremony, TBD
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Commencement Core Team
The Commencement Core Team is comprised of representatives of the President’s Office,
University Event Management, Facilities, Public Safety, Strategic Communications, and Disability Services.
Below are the ways that each department can help you plan for Commencement Week.
University Programs and Events (UPE), Office of the President
The UPE team are the project managers for the University Commencement ceremony. They also serve as a central hub for
information about Commencement Week, which includes managing the main University Commencement Week website, mass
communications from the Commencement Office, and the University’s main Commencement customer service lines. Please
contact Kacey Barnes at 212-851-7403, Jill Casimiro at 212-851-7411, Breck Gordon at 212-851-2268, or Veronica Lake at
212-851-7404, with any updates to the main Commencement Week website or for questions about University Commencement.
Direct all students or guests to contact the Commencement Office at 212-854-1753 / [email protected]
University Event Management (UEM)
UEM supports events on the Morningside campus by providing the following services:

Contact information:
o
Booking space in Lerner Hall, Low Library, or outdoors: please contact Jeimy Batista at [email protected] /
851-9784.
o
Booking space in Faculty House: please contact Leslie Robinson at [email protected] / 851-9783.
o
Catering services and additional amenities (e.g. flowers, linens, water, snacks, etc.): please contact Liane Runco
at [email protected] / 854-1654.
o
Audio Visual and Technical Services: please contact Vicky Zabriskie at [email protected] / 854-9060.
Facilities
CU Facilities supports and oversees all requests for event setup, custodial, maintenance, and labor needs during Commencement
Week on the Morningside campus. CU Facilities requests that all schools contact them as soon as possible with their
Commencement Week plans so they can ensure that their needs are met. For assistance, please contact Mary Waldorf at
[email protected] / 851-9580.
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Public Safety
Public Safety provides officer staffing for events, ceremonies, and services on Columbia University campuses. Public Safety
requests that all schools contact them as soon as possible with their Commencement Week plans to ensure adequate security
coverage throughout. As you prepare for your Commencement Week events, please notify Public Safety of any high profile
speaker, graduate, or guest so that they can ensure a safe and pleasant experience while they are on campus. For assistance,
please contact John Murolo at [email protected] / 854-6797.
Strategic Communications
Strategic Communications works closely with the Commencement Office to recruit and coordinate Event Host and Disability
Services volunteers for the events on the South Lawn and Morningside campus during Commencement Week. Please see page
10 of this manual for more information on volunteering. Strategic Communications are committed to making sure that your
graduates and their guests can find their way around campus during Commencement Week by creating wayfinding signage,
producing credentials (access badges), and managing the commencement mobile app. For assistance, please contact Kristina
Hernandez at [email protected] / 854-0124, Kristen LaGrua at [email protected] / 854-7042, or Radhy Miranda at
[email protected] /854-5376.
Disability Services
Disability Services (DS) is committed to ensuring that each Columbia University Commencement Week event is accessible so that
all students, guests, faculty, and staff are able to attend and participate. For assistance regarding access, please contact
Disability Services at [email protected] or 212-854-2388.
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Commencement Week Partners
The following University Partners are there to provide services and assistance to you as you plan your graduation
ceremonies.
Columbia University Information Technology
CUIT can live-stream your 2015 Commencement Week ceremony. The deadline to request webcasting for your event is
Wednesday, April 22. To confirm and set up your live-stream, please contact the CUIT Service Desk at [email protected] /
854-1919 or Shenetta A. Richardson at [email protected] / 854-7500. If you would like your ceremony posted live on the
Commencement Week website, please alert the Commencement Office.
Office of Communications and Public Affairs
Communications and Public Affairs should be alerted when your keynote speaker is selected and when questions arise regarding
external news media on campus by contacting [email protected]. This office also manages “Great Grads,” which includes
annual spotlight features in The Record, on the University homepage, on social media, and pitched to external news media. If you
have newsworthy graduates, please send their stories to [email protected].
For photography, contact Eileen Barroso at [email protected] or 854-6527.
Columbia Creative
Columbia Creative, a division of the Office of Communications and Public Affairs, is the central source for University and
Commencement branding and can support your schools with design, printing, and digital communication services. Please contact
Carol Balistreri at [email protected] / 854-9521, Victoria Gallina at [email protected] / 854-9513, or Donna
Snyder at [email protected] / 854-9520 to arrange any of these services.
Print Services
Print Services offers the following services for your Commencement Week ceremonies.

Event posters, signage, and banners

Invitation design, printing, and mailing distribution

Event program design and printing

Tickets, ID badges, and name tags
 In-house printing capabilities
Please contact Matthew Dougherty at [email protected]/854-8128 to arrange any of these services.
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Additional Commencement Week Planning Information
Disabilities Services during Commencement Week
During Commencement Week, Disability Services (DS) will have wheelchairs available for guests who need assistance navigating
the campus. Wheelchairs will be available at designated disability access gates on Morningside campus and at CUMC venues.
Contact [email protected] / 854-2388 for further information regarding wheelchairs or disability access.
For School Ceremonies:

Volunteers/Event Hosts: DS depends on support from school volunteers to manage the needs of those in the Disability
seating areas. School volunteers must be trained by DS prior to the school ceremony. In the interest of time and convenience,
DS can attend training for all school volunteers instead of conducting a separate training for the school volunteers supporting
DS. Please provide DS the contact information for the individual managing the school volunteers by March 2 so DS can
coordinate a training time and location. Contact information may be sent to [email protected] or call 212-854-2388.
•
South Lawn Ceremonies.
•
•
Armory, Alumni Auditorium
•

Minimum of 4 volunteers needed from each school per South Lawn ceremony
Minimum of 2 volunteers needed from each school
Other venues on and off campus:
•
The deadline to request staffing for ceremonies not scheduled on the South Lawn, Alumni Auditorium, or Armory is
March 2.

Contact DS to discuss individual needs of graduating students, faculty, award winners, speakers, and “VIP” guests with
disabilities.

Guests with disabilities, limited mobility, the elderly needing assistance, or those needing sign language interpretation
attending a South Lawn ceremony should enter Morningside campus at the College Walk east gate (Amsterdam and 116th
St.)

Sign language interpretation, assisted listening systems, and closed captioning will be available at all South Lawn
ceremonies. For other locations, please submit requests to DS by April 1.

Venue Accessibility: All locations for ceremonies, including reception sites, must be wheelchair accessible. DS can help you to
evaluate your site for accessibility and recommend language and signage for your communications to graduates and families.
Contact DS prior to March 2 to review locations and to avoid difficulty selecting a new venue.
For University Commencement:

Guests with disabilities, limited mobility, the elderly needing assistance, or those needing sign language interpretation should
enter Morningside campus at the College Walk east gate (116th St. and Amsterdam) or the Taint gate (115th St. and
Amsterdam). The disability seating area is on College Walk east and Hamilton Lawn (tented).

Sign language interpreters, closed captioning, and assisted listening systems are available.

Students who are not able to process must contact Disability Services by May 8 to confirm seating arrangements.

Deadline for students who need sign language interpretation and/or closed captioning is May 8.
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Academic Regalia
The Columbia University Bookstore is currently accepting orders for regalia.
Bachelors and Master’s Degree Candidate Souvenir Regalia (for purchase)
Bachelors and Master’s degree candidates can purchase souvenir student regalia at the Columbia University Bookstore.
Bachelors & Masters students wear cap and gown (no hood)

Bachelors cap, gown, and tassel are $55

Masters cap, gown, and tassel are $62

Grad Fair at the University Bookstore

Morningside Campus:
o

Medical Center Campus:
o

March 10 – 12: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
March 13: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Vendors will be available to help students, faculty and staff with gowns, frames,
rings, announcements and jewelry.

All of these items are still available after the Grad Fair.

All students who attend the Grad Fair will receive $15 off a diploma frame and an additional 25% off all clearance and
Class of 2015 merchandise.
Doctoral Candidate, Faculty, and Staff Rental Regalia
Doctoral candidates may rent their regalia. Faculty and staff participating in ceremonies (Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral
degrees) who do not wish to purchase their regalia may also rent their regalia. NOTE: All Columbia blue regalia for faculty & staff
will consist of a gown, hood, and tam (Doctoral) or mortarboard (Bachelors and Masters).

Bachelors set $113

Masters set $121

Doctoral set $174

Wardrobing box fee is $10 per gown.

Prices will vary for Faculty/Staff renting standard black regalia set.

Deadline – March 30, 2015

Last day to place orders without incurring a late fee.

Last day to place orders for delivery in wardrobe boxes
For Bookstore and related regalia inquiries, please contact Katie Woodward at [email protected] / 854-9724, or Tom
Spalango at [email protected] / 854-6144.
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Volunteering for Commencement Week
Volunteers are invaluable to the success of Commencement Week ceremonies. There are three types of volunteers:

Event Hosts: Event Hosts provide guest services to the graduates, families, and friends attending University Commencement
South Lawn school ceremonies and CUMC ceremonies throughout Commencement Week. Event Hosts wear polo shirts to
make themselves easily identifiable to those needing assistance.

Disability Services Volunteers: Disability Services Volunteers provide guest services to people with disabilities, the elderly,
and those with limited mobility. Volunteering with Disability Services requires transporting guests in wheelchairs, assisting the
elderly, and managing the accessible seating area.

Marshals: Marshals organize and usher both the academic procession and the degree candidate procession for University
Commencement and the Baccalaureate Service. Marshals wear academic regalia and participate directly in the program.
Every school needs a certain number of representatives to serve as Marshals during University Commencement.
Please encourage your staff and colleagues to volunteer this year. More information can be found on the Commencement
Website. We will be sending out information on signing up in the next few weeks.
If you have questions or want to sign up now as an Event Host for University Commencement or the South Lawn School
ceremonies please contact Kristina Hernandez at [email protected] / 854-0124. The deadline to sign up as an Event Host
is Monday, May 4.
To participate as an event host at Commencement related ceremonies at the Medical Center Campus, please contact Natalie
Ross at [email protected] / 304-7216.
Please contact the Commencement Office at [email protected] if you want to volunteer as a Marshal. The deadline
to sign up as a Marshal is Friday, May 8.
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University Commencement Tickets
Tickets for Guests
The Commencement Office will produce the University Commencement tickets. Each undergraduate degree candidate may
request up to four (4) tickets and each graduate degree candidate may request up to three (3) tickets for their guests and family.
The graduate does not need a ticket for him or herself.
Again for 2015: All graduating students (both undergraduate and graduate) will be required to register to participate in University
Commencement. The University Commencement Office will provide the registration link to all school contacts in March. Upon
registering, students will have the opportunity to request the number of guest tickets they would like for their family and friends.
Students will be required to log in to the registration site with their UNI and password. Only those eligible to graduate and walk in
the procession will be able to request and obtain their tickets.
Students’ eligibility will be determined through approval by their respective school. The Commencement Office will be collecting
the lists of eligible students from each school to upload into the registration system. Only students that are eligible to participate in
University Commencement should be included in these lists. All degree candidates from May 2015, February 2015, and October
2014 are invited to register to participate in the 2015 University Commencement ceremony. Students will be required to register by
Friday, May 8.
New for 2015: The online ticketing registration system will allow all eligible degree candidates to obtain their tickets instantly and
electronically. Students will receive confirmation of their registration and an electronic copy of their tickets immediately upon
registration. At this time, they will be given the option to send the tickets they requested via email to their guests. Each ticket will
have a unique barcode and will be scanned for admission at the General Admission gates. For seamless entry at the gates and to
help reduce queues, we highly encourage guests to bring a printed copy of their tickets. Students will be given information that
these tickets cannot be copied, duplicated, or reproduced. We hope that our school planning colleagues will continue to
communicate this information to their students as well, to ensure all guests are able to enter campus.
Please send questions to Jill Casimiro at [email protected] / 851-7411.
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Key Deadlines and Important Dates
CUIT:
 The deadline to request live-stream for your event is Wednesday, April 22.
University Commencement Tickets:
 Students must register to participate in University Commencement. Registration will open in March and students
will have a deadline to request tickets by May 8.
Regalia:
 The deadline for rental regalia is March 30 to avoid a late fee and ensure your delivery is in a wardrobe box.
 The Columbia University Bookstore 2014 Grad Fair will be held on March 10 - 12 on the Morningside campus.
 The CUMC 2014 Grad Fair will be held on March 13.
Disability Services:
 Wheelchairs will be available for guests who need assistance navigating the campus, at designated disability
access gates on Morningside campus and at CUMC venues.

The deadline to request DS staffing for ceremonies other than those scheduled for the South Lawn, Alumni
Auditorium, or the Armory is March 2.
 Any requests for language interpretation, assisted listening systems, and open captioning (outside of South Lawn
ceremonies) must be submitted by April 1.
 Students who are not able to process must contact DS by May 8 to confirm seating arrangements.
 The deadline for students needing sign language interpretation or closed captioning is May 8.
Volunteers:
 The deadline to sign up as an Event Host is Monday, May 4.
 The deadline to sign up as a Marshal is Friday, May 8.
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Commencement Week Planning Contacts – Quick Reference
Core Team - Morningside Campus
University Programs and Events, Office of the President
Kacey Barnes, Assistant Director – [email protected] / 851-7403
Jill Casimiro, Events Manager – [email protected] / 851-7411
Breck Gordon, Events Coordinator – [email protected] / 851-2268
Veronica Lake, Associate Director – [email protected] / 851-7404
[email protected] / 854-1753
University Event Management
Jeimy Batista, Assistant Director, Conference Services – [email protected] / 851-9784
Joe Ricciutti, Executive Director – [email protected] / 854-6612
Liane Runco, Manager, Conference Services – [email protected] / 854-1464
Vicky Zabriskie, Assistant Director, Technical Services - [email protected] / 851-5841
Department of Public Safety
Jim McShane, Vice President – [email protected] / 854-6792
John Murolo, Director – [email protected] / 854-6797
Disability Services
Anthony Ginexi, Assistant Director of Operations [email protected] / 854-2388
Colleen Lewis, Director – [email protected] / 854-2388
Facilities
Geraldine Brown-Marche, Supervisor, Events Administration – [email protected] / 854-8607
Don Schlosser, Assistant Vice President – [email protected] / 854-7739
Mary Waldorf, Director, Work Management and Scheduling – [email protected] / 851-9580
Strategic Communications
Leonard Cox, Assistant Vice President – [email protected] / 854-3495
Kristina Hernandez, Director – [email protected] / 854-0124
Kristen LaGrua, Manager, Events and Communications – [email protected] / 854-7042
Radhy Miranda, Program Coordinator – [email protected] / 854-5376
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Medical Center Campus
CUMC Events
Christina Hansen, Senior Director, CUMC Events – [email protected] / 304-7215
Natalie Ross, Special Events Manager, CUMC Events – [email protected] / 304-7216
Public Safety
Karla Buchting, Manager of Operations – [email protected] / 305-9184
Jeannine Jennette, Executive Director – [email protected] / 305-1292
Facilities
Herman Matte, Assistant Vice President, Campus Operations & Facilities – [email protected] / 305-3495
Noel Pagan, Director of Campus Operations – [email protected] / 305-8051
Jim Thompsen, Executive Director of Engineering – [email protected] / 305-3715
CUMC Bookstore
Sandra Martinez-Marin, Manager – [email protected] / 212-923-2149
The Armory
Maria Lupardo, Associate Vice President of Special Events – [email protected] / 923-1803 x 7039
Island Photography
Cheryl Ipiotis, - [email protected] / 516-676-4567 Ext. 314
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University Partners and Vendors
Bookstore
Tom Spalango, Assistant Manager - [email protected]
Katie Woodward, General Manager - [email protected] / 854-6144
www.columbiabookstore.com
Columbia University Information Technology
Shenetta Richardson, Supervisor, Voice & Video - [email protected] / 854-7500
CUIT Service Desk at [email protected] / 212-854-1919
www.columbia.edu/cuit
Chaplain’s Office
Robert Doyle, Assistant Director – [email protected] / 854-6242
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/earl
Columbia Alumni Association
Lin Lan, Assistant Director, Digital Outreach and Alumni – [email protected] / 851-9655
Emily Morris, Director, Alumni Services and Outreach - [email protected] / 851-7851
http://alumni.columbia.edu/
Columbia Creative
Carol Balistreri, Account Manager – [email protected] / 854-9521
Victoria Gallina, Account Manager – [email protected] / 854-9513
Donna Snyder, Associate Director – [email protected] / 854-9520
www.news.columbia.edu/contactus/780
Lerner Hall
Honey Sue Fishman, Executive Director, Business Services and Lerner Hall Operations –
[email protected] / 854-6862
www.columbia.edu/cu/lernerhall/
Office of Environmental Stewardship
Helen Biela, Manager, Surplus Reuse Program - [email protected] / 854-4961
Jessica Prata, AVP Environmental Stewardship - [email protected] / 854 5544
Allie Schwartz, Assistant Manager, Communications and Data - [email protected]
http://www.environment.columbia.edu/
Print Services
Matthew Dougherty, Production Manager – [email protected] / 854-8128
www.printservices.columbia.edu
Public Affairs
Eileen Barroso, University Photographer – [email protected] / 854-6527
Communications and Public Affairs - [email protected]
University Registrar
Jenny Caplan, Associate Registrar – [email protected] / 854-5596
www.registrar.columbia.edu
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