Details and FAQ

The University Commencement ceremony refers to the University-wide ceremony celebrating those who are receiving their degrees from all Columbia schools in a given year including undergraduate and graduate programs. Barnard College has a separate ceremony just for Barnard and that is where each graduate’s name is read.

Yes! Eligible graduates should have received an email from commencement@barnard.edu on March 4 with instructions for how to submit participation information via Marching Order, our online planning tool for Commencement registration. The deadline to complete this form was April 27. If you did not receive this email, please reach out to commencement@barnard.edu; at this point, participation in Barnard’s ceremony cannot be guaranteed.

Eligible candidates will receive six guest tickets to the Barnard Commencement ceremony. Tickets will be distributed at Commencement Rehearsal and are required for entry to Radio City Music Hall. Information about a College-facilitated lottery for additional tickets can be found in the Student Timeline & Information Sheet.

Yes! As a graduating student, you must register online to participate in University Commencement and request guest tickets. All guests must have a ticket to attend the ceremony. Each undergraduate degree candidate may request up to four (4) tickets. Barnard graduating seniors who plan on participating in University Commencement must register themselves to participate via this link (Barnard does not register students to participate). Instructions for how to register can be found here. For more information on Columbia Commencement activities, visit Columbia University Commencement.

The Barnard College rehearsal will take place Monday, May 16th in the Event Oval at the following times:

10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
Graduating seniors seated in order of major, alphabetically (Majors A-English*)

1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Graduating seniors seated in order of major, alphabetically ( Majors Environment & Sustainability -Y*)

It is mandatory for all graduating seniors participating in Barnard College Commencement to attend the rehearsal. (Caps and gowns are not worn). Tickets to the Barnard Commencement will be distributed at rehearsal.

*Alphabetical division of majors has been updated on May 2 based on the final Barnard Commencement participation list determined in April.

Monday - Friday: 10am-7pm

Saturday/Sunday: 12pm-5pm

Barnard does not charge students for a cap and gown (which are to be worn at both the University and College ceremonies); however, all students must present a valid Barnard ID and appear on the list of eligible graduates. If you do not have your Barnard ID, please bring another form of photo identification with you. Columbia Bookstore stocks gowns of all sizes and will select a gown based on your height and weight. If something is not available in-store, they can work directly with you to fulfill your request.

All diplomas will be mailed directly to degree recipients at the diploma address submitted with your graduation application. Diplomas are sent approximately 8 weeks after the degree is awarded.

Barnard diplomas are signed by both the Barnard College President and the Columbia University President and carry the official seals of both institutions.  The diploma lists the degree earned (Bachelor of Arts) and any Latin honors received (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude). Majors, minors, and departmental graduation honors appear on the Barnard transcript but not on the diploma.
 

We anticipate the ceremony on Wednesday, May 18, will last approximately two and a half hours. We recommend that students and their guests take into account the possibility that the ceremony may be longer when making their evening plans. Additional time should be considered for the exiting of the venue and likely increased traffic in the area following the ceremony.

Yes. The Barnard Commencement ceremony will be live streamed directly on the Commencement homepage. An archived video of the Barnard Commencement ceremony will be available for viewing shortly after the ceremony ends.

Please visit Columbia Multicultural Graduation Ceremonies, for details on the ceremonies, including how to register for the virtual ceremonies and receive your multicultural graduation gift (e.g., stole, tassel, pin, or other gift).

The Classes of 2020 and 2021 will be celebrating their graduation on May 19 in a University ceremony followed by a celebration at Barnard’s campus and then a Barnard ceremony (more information can be found here). The May 18 events are only for the Class of 2022. If alumnae have not received any communication from the College about these eventsl, they should inform alumnaerelations@barnard.edu to ensure that the College’s records reflect the correct email address.