Barclays Center
Student Entrance: All candidates will enter via the Dean Street entrance and will proceed through security. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. Students should try to arrive by 7:15 a.m. to ensure they are able to be seated on time. Candidates must wear their cap and gown to gain admittance into Barclays Center. As is Barclays Center policy, everyone entering Barclays Center will be going through metal detectors.
Students will enter the arena upon arrival; there will be no student processional. Students will be seated according to their school. You must be seated by 8:45 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:45 a.m. will be held until after the faculty and platform party processional and the singing of the National Anthem.
Please note that because of the long lines to get through Barclays Center security check, students are encouraged to arrive by 7:15 a.m. to ensure being seated on time.
Degree Candidates with mobility impairments: Students who have difficulty with stairs, after proceeding through the security area on Dean Street, can take the elevators to the arena entrance.
Prohibited Items: Barclays Center management has asked us to remind all graduates that smoking/vaping or the carrying of food and/or beverages of any kind into the arena is strictly prohibited. Please read the list of prohibited items. Note: Flowers are allowed at the Commencement Ceremony.
After entering, please fill out the Grad Images photo card so that your official graduation photo can be taken before entering the arena.
Then, please follow the directional signage for your school (School of Public Affairs, Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, or Zicklin School of Business) so that you are seated in the appropriate area for the ceremony.
Entering the Arena
Graduation Photos: Arrive early and see one of the Thornton Studio photographers’ assistants. Have the barcode handy that you received in your email when you preregistered with Thornton Studio (see Where can I take a graduation portrait? above). If you do not have the barcode handy, our assistant will have a limited number of barcodes available, so we encourage you to register in advance.
Seating: Students will enter the arena upon arrival; there will be no student processional. Students will be seated according to their school. You must be seated by 8:45 a.m. Students who arrive after 8:45 a.m. will be held until after the faculty and platform party processional and the singing of the National Anthem.
The Graduation Ceremony
Sitting with a Friend: While this is not a guarantee, if you wish to sit beside a friend, be sure to arrive with that person.
Sitting & Standing: As you reach your designated seat, please be seated. Later, at the Chief Marshal’s request, you will stand for the singing of the National Anthem and at the end of the ceremony for the Baruch Alma Mater. Candidates will stand when being presented by the respective Dean of their school. At the conclusion of the presentation by each of the Deans, all candidates will be asked by the Chief Marshal to stand together for the conferral of degrees by the President.
Caps and Hoods: Caps should be worn throughout the ceremonies, except that men should remove their caps during the singing of the National Anthem and Alma Mater. Candidates must wear their hoods.
Cap Tassels: Cap tassels are worn on the right until the degrees are conferred, then switched to the left upon conferral by the President.
The Recessional
Order of Departure: Upon conclusion of the ceremony, the Presidential Party and faculty will leave the stage. As soon as they have left the area, the Chief Marshal will declare that the Commencement Exercises are officially over. There will be no formal recessional for graduates. You are asked to leave the auditorium in an orderly manner.
Plan Ahead: Because the area is large and there will be a large number of guests and graduates, you are urged to make plans with parents and friends about where to meet at the end of the ceremony.