GS Class Day

Assembly

Time: 6:30 a.m.

Graduates who arrive late risk not being part of the ceremony. 

Location: Lerner Hall, Roone Arledge Auditorium

Academic Regalia: Graduates who wish to sit with the class and be presented at Class Day must wear the Columbia gown (cap optional). Graduates who wish to attend the ceremony without participating may sit in the audience.

Cords are distributed to those who earn specific honors. More information can be found on the Honor Cords page.

The School of General Studies is committed to providing a graduation experience that is accessible for all. If you have any questions, or would like to request accommodations for yourself and/or any guest(s) for GS Class Day, please email [email protected].

We also recommend that you register your request(s) with Disability Services at [email protected], as they will be able to assist with comprehensive accommodations for both GS Class Day and University Commencement.

For GS Class Day specifically: Guests with mobility concerns are asked to enter through the College Walk gates at 116th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, where staff members from the Columbia Office of Disability Services will be staged to escort guests to their seats in the Accessible Seating Section.

Commencement Ceremony

More information on accommodations for the Commencement ceremony is available on the University Commencement website.

An official photographer will take students' pictures as they cross the stage. Students are not obligated to purchase these photos, but once they see the proofs, they may elect to order copies, or special items using their image such as plaques, etc.

Prior to Class Day, students should visit the Grad Images website to pre-register their email address, as well as the email addresses of up to six additional people. Once an account has been preregistered, Grad Images will email out a coupon code for 20% off an order of $50 or more.

If have any questions or concerns regarding your photos, please contact Grad Images' Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email [email protected]. After Class Day, an email will be sent with a link to view and order prints.

Note: Photos will be mailed to the diploma address on file in SSOL.

May Graduates

Diplomas for May graduates are mailed within three weeks after Commencement to the Diploma Address listed in SSOL. Graduates are encouraged to confirm and, if needed, update their address within SSOL as soon as possible.

October and February Graduates

Diplomas for February and October grads will be mailed to the address on file in SSOL up to two months after the conferral date. Graduates are encouraged to confirm and, if needed, update their address within SSOL as soon as possible.

Financial Holds

Graduates who resolve financial or library holds preventing the release of their diplomas must proactively notify the Office of the University Registrar that their last hold has been removed. Those who do not notify the Registrar will not receive their diploma.

Senior Portraits

Graduating seniors are invited to have their senior portraits taken free of charge by Lors Photography. When scheduling your appointment on the website, please use your last name (as it appears in SSOL) as your user name and your UNI as your password. If you do not have access to a computer, you may call 908-964-8200 for assistance from customer service.

Schedule Appointment

Available Dates

• March 20 - 24
• April 3 - 6
• April 10 - 14

Location: Austin E. Quigley Black Box Theater, 5th Floor, Lerner Hall

• Portraits will be taken in your business attire and cap & gown; academic attire will be provided
• Please be prepared to provide the photographer with your major(s) at the time of your sitting
• It is important that you arrive on time for your scheduled appointment
• No walk-ins will be permitted
• Don’t forget that you can use these portraits for your professional networking and job search sites!

Columbia University Yearbook

You can now order your copy of the 175th edition of The Columbian, the official yearbook for undergraduate students at Columbia University. This one-of-a-kind keepsake will last a lifetime and provides endless opportunities to cherish the memories of being a Columbia student.

From Columbia traditions, campus events, and class trips, to Commencement, Homecoming, sports, and life in New York City, The Columbian offers more than 200 full-color pages of memories, beautifully bound and celebrating the Columbia experience.

Pricing Information

• First 100 students to order: $80
• Next 100 students to order: $90
• After first 200 students: $110

For more information, please contact [email protected].

Yearbook Orders and Congratulatory Ads

Congratulatory advertisements may be purchased to congratulate a graduating senior. In order to purchase an ad, please contact [email protected]. Requests should be placed as early as possible as space is limited.

Family and Friends

Tickets are not required for GS Class Day. Graduates are welcome to invite as many guests as they like to the Class Day ceremony and reception. 

International Guests

For guests who live outside of the United States and need proof of a student's graduation in order to receive permission to visit, an official letter confirming student status and graduation date may be provided after completing this Request Form.

Faculty and Administration

GS sends invitations to Arts & Sciences faculty members. Faculty are more likely to attend GS Class Day if they know a specific student is graduating and are personally invited by them. We strongly encourage students to submit our online form to invite faculty members who have served as their advisors and mentors.

Academic Procession

The academic procession of faculty and administration will assemble on the day of the ceremony. Academic regalia is required for faculty and administrators who participate in the academic procession and are seated on the stage. Information about registering to participate in the academic procession will be provided on this page soon.

Reserved Seating

Faculty and administrators are also welcome to attend the ceremony without participating in the academic procession and sit in the reserved seating area. Tickets will be provided to sit in this designated area. Registration is required and information will be provided soon.