FAQ: Faculty and Administrators

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

Back to top

There are six separate ceremonies scheduled over two days: May 19 and 20, 2026.  Find the full list of commencement ceremony dates and times by school and major online.

Back to top

Each ceremony is approximately 90 minutes long.

Back to top

The form to RSVP for the ceremonies is now closed. The deadline was April 30.

Please note that space is limited and each event’s capacity limit is set by the New York City Parks Department, which manages the venue. The Parks Department's limits are there for our safety and to comply with event permits. FIT must comply with the number of seats permitted on stage and within the audience seating area. If your name is not on the entrance list of those who RSVP'ed in advance, you will not be granted access to the events. No late requests. 

Back to top

Yes. You are required to let us know in advance whether you plan to attend as a member of the platform party (wearing regalia) or as an audience member; however, the deadline to RSVP for the ceremonies has passed and the form is now closed. 

Please note that space is limited and each event’s capacity limit is set by the New York City Parks Department, which manages the venue. The Parks Department's limits are there for our safety and to comply with event permits. FIT must comply with the number of seats permitted on stage and within the audience seating area. If your name is not on the entrance list of those who RSVP'ed in advance, you will not be granted access to the events. No late requests. 

Back to top

Yes! You are invited to attend the ceremony for your program and are encouraged to support your colleagues and the graduating students at all the other ceremonies. Both days’ schedules are identical. 

Note: The deadline to RSVP for the ceremonies has passed and the form is now closed. 

Space is limited and each event’s capacity limit is set by the New York City Parks Department, which manages the venue. The Parks Department's limits are there for our safety and to comply with event permits. FIT must comply with the number of seats permitted on stage and within the audience seating area. If your name is not on the entrance list of those who RSVP'ed in advance, you will not be granted access to the events. No late requests. 

Back to top

Seating (both onstage and in the audience) is limited, therefore invitations are reserved for faculty and administrators only. 

Back to top

No. Public transportation is encouraged and readily available.

Back to top

Academic regalia (cap and gown) is required attire for all who plan to participate in the procession and sit on stage. 

Rumsey Playfield is a large, grassy lawn and the ground may be uneven in many places. Commencement also often involves a good deal of standing and walking for faculty, guests, and graduates. For this reason, we strongly recommend wearing comfortable shoes and discourage high heels. 

Back to top

The deadline to rent regalia was April 17.

Generic black regalia will be available for purchase during cap and gown general pickup days at the FIT Campus Store, which begin May 6. Sizes and quantities will be limited. 

General pickup dates and times are as follows: 

• Wednesday, May 6: 9 am–6:30 pm 
• Thursday, May 7: 9 am–5 pm
• Monday, May 11: 9 am–5 pm
• Tuesday, May 12: 9 am–6:30 pm 
• Wednesday, May 13: 9 am–5 pm
• Thursday, May 14: 9 am–5 pm
• Friday, May 15: 9 am–3 pm

Back to top

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

• Wednesday, May 6: 9 am–6:30 pm 
• Thursday, May 7: 9 am–5 pm
• Monday, May 11: 9 am–5 pm
• Tuesday, May 12: 9 am–6:30 pm 
• Wednesday, May 13: 9 am–5 pm
• Thursday, May 14: 9 am–5 pm
• Friday, May 15: 9 am–3 pm

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

Back to top

During the May 6–15 regalia pickup window for preorders at the FIT Campus Store, there will also be some in-person rentals for those who were unable to order before the deadline.

Please note that quantities will be limited and will be generic black regalia.

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

• Wednesday, May 6: 9 am–6:30 pm 
• Thursday, May 7: 9 am–5 pm
• Monday, May 11: 9 am–5 pm
• Tuesday, May 12: 9 am–6:30 pm 
• Wednesday, May 13: 9 am–5 pm
• Thursday, May 14: 9 am–5 pm
• Friday, May 15: 9 am–3 pm

Back to top

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.

Platform party members will be sent specific details closer to the date of the event.

You can also find a map and get personalized directions to the venue on the Central Park website.

Back to top

Each faculty member that requires assistance should email Jacqueline Espaillat-Guerrero by May 7 to be added to the accommodations list and to expedite the entrance process.

There will be two golf carts to transport persons who require assistance from the ADA/VIP entrance at Fifth Avenue and East 72nd Street directly to the backstage entrance area. The stage has a ramp that can readily accommodate a wheelchair or walker.

Back to top

Commencement events are held rain or shine. Cancellations will only occur if conditions are dangerous—lightning, high winds or flooding, for example. All weather related information is posted on the commencement website in real time, we will inform you via the commencement website (fitnyc.edu/commencement).

Back to top

Before and after each ceremony there will be a brief time available for you to visit with your students and their guests as they partake in refreshments, take family portraits, pick up gifts, and purchase memorabilia and other mementos in the Celebration in the Park tents.

Back to top

No. 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.

Back to top

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.

Back to top