FAQ: Undergraduate Ceremonies

Graduation is the completion of your studies and earning of diploma.

Commencement is the ceremony and celebration! Commencement exercises are ceremonial and symbolic; participation in this event should not be confused with actual graduation from the college.

You do not officially graduate until you have successfully completed all degree requirements as outlined by your major and submitted your graduation application. Once you have met these requirements, your diploma will be mailed to you, regardless of whether you participate in commencement.

Please click here for the full list of commencement ceremony dates and times by school and major.

Rumsey Playfield, Central Park, New York City. You can find a map and get personalized directions to the venue on the Central Park website.

Each ceremony is approximately 90 minutes long.

Yes! All graduating students attending commencement will walk across the stage and be greeted by the president of the college and the dean of their school. They will also receive a folder for their diploma. Diplomas will be mailed to students.

Commencement events are held rain or shine. Cancellations will only occur if conditions are dangerous—lightning, high winds or flooding, for example. In the event of a cancellation, we will inform you via the commencement website (fitnyc.edu/commencement), through our text message platform (opt in to receive messages here), and through Google messages.

Yes. Students must apply for graduation by March 31 to be eligible to attend commencement and have their name appear in the printed program. Any questions regarding your graduation application and/or diploma should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar.

Yes. Students who graduate in December 2023, January 2024, May 2024, or August 2024 are all eligible to participate in the May 2024 commencement ceremonies.

No. You must fill out the Commencement Ticket Request Form by April 30. The deadline to reserve tickets has now passed.

Yes! Every person attending commencement will require a ticket, including the graduating student. Each student must complete the Ticket Request Form by April 30 to receive a ticket for themselves. The deadline to reserve tickets has now passed.

Each student participating in commencement may request up to four (4) guest tickets by April 30. The deadline to reserve tickets has now passed and the reservation form is closed. 

The deadline to reserve tickets has now passed and the reservation form is closed. 

Yes, but the form for additional tickets closed on March 31. Anyone who has requested an additional ticket will receive an email notification shortly.

These tickets will only be made available after all graduating students have had an opportunity to reserve their tickets, but no later than May 15.

No. Please read the college’s Statement on Sale and Misuse of Commencement Tickets below: 

FIT prohibits the sale or purchase of commencement tickets and the posting of advertisements offering tickets for sale or requesting tickets for purchase. FIT also prohibits the duplication of tickets as well as the production and use of counterfeit tickets.

Any student who the college has reason to believe is selling tickets, has purchased tickets, has posted an advertisement offering to buy or sell tickets, or who is found to have produced or attempted to use a duplicated or counterfeit ticket will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct. Penalties may include denial of permission to participate in commencement. Any guest found to be using such tickets will be refused admission to the ceremony.

Tickets will be emailed to your FIT email address from See Tickets one week prior to your ceremony.

No. Tickets are non-transferable.

All guests 2 years and older require a ticket for entry.

Academic regalia (cap, gown, and tassel) is required attire for students participating in commencement.

The deadline to order regalia online has passed. Anyone still needing to purchase their cap and gown may stop by the FIT Campus Store during cap and gown general pickup days to inquire about availability. General pickup this year is scheduled for: 

Monday–Friday, May 13–17, 9 am–8 pm
Monday, May 20, 9 am–5 pm

Regalia can be picked up at the FIT Campus Store on the following days/times:  

Only those who ordered their regalia online:
Tuesday–Friday, May 7–10, 9 am–5 pm 

General pickup and in-store purchases:
Monday–Friday, May 13–17, 9 am–8 pm
Monday, May 20, 9 am–5 pm

The FIT Campus Store entrance is located on the Breezeway between the Dubinsky Student Center and the Business and Liberal Arts Center.

FIT is all about sustainability. If you have FIT regalia from a previous commencement ceremony that is in good condition, you may reuse it!

No. FIT academic regalia is required attire.

No. Your diploma will be mailed to you. You will be handed a folder for your diploma when you walk across the stage at your ceremony.

Any questions regarding your graduation application and/or diploma should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar.

We recommend you use the park entrance at 69th Street and Fifth Avenue; the path at this entrance leads directly to Rumsey Playfield. It's approximately a four-minute walk to the gate.

The nearest subway stations are 68th St/Hunter College on the 6 train on the east side; 72nd Street on the B and C trains on the west side. (Note: There are no elevators at either station.)

The closest bus routes are the M1, M2, M3, M4, M66, and M72.

This venue is ADA accessible for the mobility-impaired. Anyone requiring assistance should fill out the Request for Accommodations at Commencement form to be escorted into the venue. The ADA entrance is located at East 72nd and Fifth Avenue.

Accommodation requests for graduates and their guests may be directed to the Office of Disability Support Services (FIT-ABLE). Attendees with special needs (wheelchair assistance, FM systems, etc.) may submit their request via the Request for Accommodations at Commencement form. Closed captioning of the ceremonies can be accessed by selecting the captioning option on the commencement livestream—which will be available at fitnyc.edu/commencement and on Vimeo—on your own device.

Limited accessibility seating is available for individuals needing accommodations and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

People who will require assistance at the venue should use the Accessibility and Special Accommodations entrance on Fifth Avenue at 72nd Street.

Anyone requiring assistance should fill out the Request for Accommodations at Commencement form to be escorted into the venue. The ADA entrance is located at East 72nd and FIfth Avenue.

At each ceremony, you will find FIT’s Celebration in the Park tents where you can find light refreshments, FIT mementos and gifts, take pictures and more! Vendors include FIT's Campus Store and The Commencement Group, with flowers and other items available for purchase before and after the ceremony. To browse The Commencement Group's selection of floral bouquets and other items in advance, go to thecommencementgroup.com/fit.

Alumni Relations will be on hand to share information about future events and exciting networking opportunities.

The tents will be open one hour in advance of each ceremony and will close 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.

Doors open one hour prior to each ceremony.

There will be no ceremony rehearsal.

We recommend public transportation. There is no public parking in Central Park. 

There is no parking in Central Park. To find parking nearby, you can use a parking app, such as SpotHero, or try these parking lots that are close to the venue, which offer daily and hourly rates:

• iPark: East 67th Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue
• MGP: Parking: East 73rd Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue
• iPark: East 67th Street between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue

No. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed.

You are allowed to bring:

• Food (although snacks and water will be provided)
• Strollers
• Hats, sunglasses, your phone—basic things you need to enjoy your time at Central Park!

The following are not permitted at the venue in Central Park:

• Large bags (over 16”x16”x8”)
• Glass bottles
• Cans
• Coolers
• Alcoholic beverages
• Controlled substances
• Weapons
• Folding chairs
• Bikes
• Scooters
• Rollerblades
• Skateboards
• Beach umbrellas
• Balloons
• Laser pointers
• Professional camera and video camera equipment
• Selfie sticks
• Pets
• Drones
• Professional audio recording equipment

Smoking and vaping of any kind is not allowed at Rumsey Playfield and throughout Central Park under the city’s Smoke-Free Air Act. Also, commencement is a college activity and is covered under FIT’s Tobacco Free Policy, which prohibits smoking.

No. There are chairs on the field and bleacher-style seating that are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Yes! You will be able to tune in live on the commencement website, fitnyc.edu/commencement. The video from each ceremony will also be available on demand after they are completed.

You can visit our Getting to FIT page for a list of hotels near campus if overnight accommodations are needed for friends or family who plan to celebrate your graduation with you.