Commencement Ceremony Baccalaureate Candidates for Graduation Honors Home

Commencement Guest Information

Thank you for joining us to celebrate your graduate! We're happy to have you on the Hilltop for this special day. For your enjoyment and safety, please note the following:

Event venue

Commencement and Baccalaureate ceremonies are held in the arena of the Richard and Norma Small Athletic and Wellness Center (the SAW) on the north edge of campus. Parking is available in the adjacent lot. Parking overflow is available in any Cornell guest lot and on the street. (There is no parking fee or permit required for the ceremony.)

Guests who require ADA access may be dropped off directly at the SAW, either at the main entrance or the west entrance of the building as identified on the parking map. Consult the parking map for available ADA parking options. Contact Campus Safety for assistance, 319.895.4299.

Baccalaureate and Commencement Parking notes

Parking at the SAW will likely be full on the day of the Baccalaureate ceremony due to the conference track meet taking place on the same day. Families are encouraged to use the other parking lots available located throughout the Cornell campus. For those who choose to park in Lot J (the Smith Hall parking lot), shuttle services will be provided to transport guests to the SAW.

Parking for Commencement on Sunday will not have the same limitations. Families can expect expanded parking options for Commencement around the SAW facility.

Before Commencement Weekend

Area accommodations: Find local lodging options

Text message reminders: Sign up by texting "2026" to 319.405.0739 for updates. Opt-out anytime by texting "stop." We'll send you short texts about event start times and any changes to plans due to weather. Once commencement weekend is over, we'll take you off our list automatically.

Online orders: Order announcements, rings, and diploma frames online through our campus bookstore.

During Commencement weekend

Schedule of events: Check the complete schedule of activities
No tickets, no limits: There is no limit on guests per graduate, and no tickets required.
Current students who wish to attend: Must follow residence hall move-out timing.
Pets: Only service animals are allowed at ceremonies.

Information desk: Located in Thomas Commons, upper level, open 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

Bookstore hours:

Friday: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Saturday: Noon–5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m.–2 p.m.

Hilltop Café hours:

Saturday: Lunch 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Dinner 5–6 p.m.
Sunday: Brunch noon–1:30 p.m.

Commencement brunch:

Families and students are welcome to purchase additional brunch tickets ahead of time at a discounted rate of $18 per person. Tickets will also be available on the day of Commencement, but prices at the register will be $20 per person. Children may attend brunch at a reduced price of $8. To take advantage of the advance purchase rate, families can call 319.895.4499 to buy tickets ahead of time.

Ceremony etiquette

Please clear the aisles during the processional and recessional.
Please silence your cell phone during Commencement.
Note that students do not process in alphabetical order, instead they process according to how they've seated themselves by affinity.
Professional portraits will be taken of each graduate as they exit the stage, please do not obstruct the views of others by crowding the stage for personal photos during the ceremony.
Following the benediction at the end of the ceremony, please remain at your seats while those on stage recess. Students will remain in the seating area and can join their families once the recessional is done.
Please follow and post about our graduates on social media using #CornellCGrad and our stickers on Instagram

Accessibility during the ceremony

Ushers and staff are identified by name tags to assist you.
Accessible restrooms are readily available. Ask an usher or staff member for directions if locations are not evident.
Golf carts are available to transport those who need assistance. Call 319.895.4334 for golf cart service.
A first aid station is adjacent to guest seating.
ASL interpreters will be stationed on the east edge of the ceremony stage for the hearing impaired.
Items lost during the ceremony will be taken to the first aid station. They are moved to the Thomas Commons Information Desk 30 minutes after the ceremony.

ADA seating: To help ensure accessible seating is available for everyone who needs it, we kindly ask that seating in ADA‑designated areas be limited to the guest who requires the accommodation and one accompanying guest, for a maximum of two people.

We ask families not to occupy an entire row in the ADA section and to be mindful that these seats are reserved for individuals with accessibility needs. Your consideration helps make the ceremony welcoming and comfortable for all attendees.

Accessibility assistance

Limited mobility: Rent a wheelchair from Student Health Services (319.895.4292) or Mount Vernon Pharmacy (319.895.6248).

First aid: Station available during ceremonies.

Request: Commencement and Baccalaureate are held in an accessible location. If you have a specific request related to a disability, please contact disabilityservices@cornellcollege.edu.

After the Commencement ceremony

Graduate and family bruch is served at the Hilltop Café in Thomas Commons from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Graduate move-out: All residence halls will close at 5 p.m. Follow residence hall move-out procedures and timing.

Photos and video: Professional photos by GradImages. Proofs sent within five days. Pre-register your email with GradImages. Every graduate receives a video clip of themselves as they cross the stage (or as their name is read if they cannot attend). Clips are emailed within 48 hours.