When, Where, and What to Expect
Ceremony Information
The Commencement ceremony will recognize the 1,300 candidates who make up the CUNY School of Professional Studies Class of 2024.
Close to 600 students are expected to take part in the ceremony in-person, with another 150 taking part virtually.
The ceremony begins promptly at 11:00am, and is expected to conclude by 1:30pm. Graduates should plan to attend the full ceremony.
Arrival Time
Gates will open at 9:00 am for graduates and guests.
Graduates must be through the gates by 10:00am in order to find their designated major, receive their name reader card, and meet their fellow graduates.
The processional line up will begin at 10:15am, and the ceremony will begin promptly at 11:00am.
Metal Detectors and Bag Checks
All attendees, including graduates, will go through metal detectors and will be subject to bag checks in order to enter the National Tennis Center grounds. In addition, graduates will be asked to remove their gown before passing through the metal detectors. Please minimize what you bring with you in order to facilitate a fast, easy entrance for everyone.
Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited from the grounds of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and Louis Armstrong Stadium. Please be certain that you and your guests review this list prior to the ceremony.
- Backpacks (Exception: single compartment drawstring bags)
- Hard coolers or like containers
- Sealed packages of any kind
- Glass bottles or cans (Exception: reusable water bottles-25 oz. or less, metal and plastic)
- Aerosol cans or noise-making devices
- Alcohol
- Video cameras or recording devices (Exception: cell phones and SLR cameras, with lenses up to and not exceeding 300mm, with video or recording capabilities)
- Computers or laptops
- Weapons (regardless of permit)
- Animals (Exception: service animals)
- Flags, banners or signs
- Tents
- Balloons
- Bullhorns, megaphones, and other portable microphones/vocal amplifying devices
- Any materials, items or apparel constituting unauthorized advertising or promotion
- Laser pointing devices
- Drones (UAS-Unmanned Aircraft Systems) or other model aircraft
- Selfie-sticks or other telescopic devices
Seating
Graduates will be seated on the court of the stadium, in order of the their degree type and major.
Guests will be seated in the Courtside Reserved seats (shown on the seating map in blue).
Wheelchair seating is available (shown on the seating map in fuschia).
Elevators and escalators are available for use in getting to the seating area.
ADA Accommodations
Live captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided throughout the ceremony.
The ceremony will feature two large screens on either side of the stage, so that guests may better see the moment that their graduate crosses the stage.
Travel Directions
Subway: The 7 train provides service from Grand Central Terminal to Mets-Willets Point Station, including connections for all Metro-North Trains from Westchester and Connecticut. Service is also available from the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Long Island Rail Road: LIRR provides easy service to Mets-Willets Point Station from Woodside, and convenient connections from Penn Station for New Jersey Transit customers. For guests with disabilities, get off the LIRR train at 61st Street-Woodside Station and transfer to the 7 train. Take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point Station.
Parking: For graduates and guests driving to the ceremony, please utilize the Grand Central Parkway (Exit 9E) or the Whitestone Expressway (Exit 13D) for the shortest route to available parking lots.
Parking costs approximately $41 per vehicle and is run through the New York Mets. You can prepay for your parking in advance of the ceremony by using the link below.
