FAQ
Commencement 2024
What do I need to do to participate in Commencement?
To participate in the event, each graduating student must complete the following steps:
- Apply for graduation (through the Office of the Registrar)
- Register to attend and request tickets for Commencement
- Order graduation regalia (cap, gown, and hood)
Frequent Questions
Will I receive my diploma at Commencement?
No. Your diploma will be mailed to you at the address listed in your Pace Portal following our Commencement exercises.
Do I need to register to attend Commencement?
Yes! All graduates must register to attend and request guest tickets by Friday, April 19, 2024. Register with MarchingOrder.
Is there a deadline to apply for graduation?
Yes! Each student from the Class of 2024 applying for graduation must apply by Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Undergraduate students must have at least 90 credits and graduate students must have at least 24 credits to file this required application and receive a Degree Verification or Degree Works notification. Read more information on graduation and conferral of degrees.
I am having trouble with submitting my application for graduation.
The application is set up to prevent duplicates, please check if you have previously applied by following the guidance from the Office of the Registrar: You can check the status of your Graduation Application from your Pace Portal account. Access your Student Profile and select the term from the top-left corner of the screen. You will find “Graduation Information” under your academic information. Click on the “Active” link to view the status of your graduation application.
If you determine you have not previously applied or have further questions about the graduation application, please visit the Office of the Registrar’s Graduation FAQ.
I am an international graduate and need an invitation for my family to attend Commencement. Where can I get this invitation?
For your family to join you for the May 2024 graduation ceremony, they will need a B1/B2 tourist visa. We are legally restricted from providing a B1/B2 visa invitation letter. However, we can support your personal invitation to a family member with a Letter Certifying your Student Status in the US. You may request the letter via ISS CONNECT. In addition, you should request a letter stating your graduation ceremony date from the Office of the Registrar. These two letters will support your family’s tourist visa application. Please note, B1/B2 tourist visa processing time is lengthy, so plan ahead.
How much should I expect to walk at Commencement?
You should be prepared to walk at least three miles throughout the day. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes. If you wish to wear high heels, we recommend planning to change into them for the moments you want to wear them.
At what time do I need to arrive at USTA?
Guests and graduates should arrive one hour before their first ceremony start time. Upon arrival, graduates must check-in with their college or school. Guests should proceed to the appropriate stadium for their first ceremony. Seating is first come, first serve for all ceremonies.
What is the difference between the Application for Graduation and registering to attend Commencement?
Applying for graduation prompts the Office of the Registrar to conduct the required final review and verification of academic records to confirm your graduation status and eligibility to participate in Commencement. Learn more about graduation and conferral of degrees.
When you register to attend Commencement, you are registering to participate in the appropriate ceremonies, and you can request guest tickets. This is required if you plan to participate. If you are not planning to participate, you do not need to register.
Ceremonies
Will graduates cross the stage and be recognized individually?
Yes! All graduates will cross the stage and their names will be read at their college or school ceremonies, but NOT during the main ceremony. This means that if you wish to be individually recognized, you MUST attend your college or school ceremony.
To ensure your name is pronounced correctly, make sure you register to attend commencement through MarchingOrder by Friday, April 19. The registration form includes an opportunity to verify the proper pronunciation of your name.
Will all ceremonies be live-streamed?
Yes! You will be able to view the live stream of all Commencement ceremonies. Information for viewing will be available closer to Commencement on our Commencement website.
When and where will award ceremonies be held?
The award ceremonies for colleges and schools will be held leading up to Commencement on Pace’s campuses. Contact your school’s academic advisors for more information about the award ceremonies.
Tickets
How many tickets will I get?
All graduating students who register to attend and request tickets for Commencement by the Friday, April 19, 2024, deadline will receive up to 6 guest tickets and their Grad Pass. All guests ages 2 and older must have a ticket to enter the venue. Tickets may be printed in advance or shown on a mobile device.
Can I request more than 6 tickets?
Yes! If you need more than 6 guest tickets, you can request additional guest tickets at the time of registering and requesting tickets. You will hear back about your request for additional guest tickets via email within four business weeks.
How and when will I get my tickets?
Graduating students will have access to their Grad Pass and their guaranteed guest tickets as soon they complete registration. They will have the chance to send the guest tickets directly to their guests via email.
If they requested more than 6 guest tickets, the graduating student will hear back about their request for additional guest tickets via email within four business weeks.
How do I access my Grad Pass on my mobile device?
Login to MarchingOrder on your mobile device and click the “Access Your Grad Pass” button to view your Grad Pass. To enter the venue, you can display your Grad Pass on your mobile device or print it in advance and bring it with you.
How do I access my guest tickets on my mobile device?
Login to MarchingOrder on your mobile device and click the “Access Your Guest Tickets” button to view your guest tickets. To enter the venue, you can display your guest tickets on your mobile device or print them in advance and bring them with you.
You can also send tickets directly to your guests via email.
Can I transfer tickets to others?
Once you have accessed your guest tickets, you can email guest tickets to your guests. The QR codes on guest tickets and your Grad Pass are unique, they cannot be duplicated. Each guest must have their own ticket to enter the venue. Each graduate must have their own Grad Pass when checking in on Commencement Day.
How do I show my ticket(s) for entering the venue if I do not have a mobile device?
When arriving at the venue, you must show either a printed ticket/Grad Pass or present your ticket/Grad Pass on your mobile device.
Can I print my ticket(s)?
Yes, guest tickets and Grad Passes are printable. You can show either a printed ticket/Grad Pass or present your ticket/Grad Pass on your mobile device.
Cap and Gown
Do I need to wear regalia?
Yes! All graduates must wear academic regalia to participate in the main ceremony and school ceremonies. Academic regalia includes a gown, cap, and hood.
Where do I order my cap, gown, and hood?
Regalia should be ordered through the Herff Jones site by Friday, April 19.
Will there be a regalia order pick up day on campus?
No. All orders will be shipped to the shipping address provided when placing the order. We recommend shipping your order to your preferred mailing address where you can receive packages.
Can I ship it to my residence hall?
Yes! You may ship to your on-campus address if you live in a residence hall.
I am an international student, where do I ship my cap and gown?
We recommend shipping your order to your preferred mailing address where you can receive packages.
I am having trouble placing my order, who should I contact?
Please contact Herff Jones customer service using their online form or call +1 (800) 837-4235.
I have questions about my cap and gown order, who should I contact?
Please contact Herff Jones customer service using their online form or call +1 (800) 837-4235.
Where can I pick-up my honors medals and departmental cords?
Honors medals will be awarded in-person at your college or school award ceremony before Commencement.
Cords and stoles will be provided by the appropriate department.
Transportation
Will transportation be provided for graduates from the Pleasantville, White Plains, and New York City campuses?
Yes! Transportation will be provided from each campus (NYC, Pleasantville, and White Plains) for graduates who register for a seat on the shuttle. Registration will open in the new year.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is easily accessible by public transit or car. Visit the Tennis Center website for more information.
Will transportation be provided for guests from any of the campuses?
No, transportation will not be provided for guests.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is easily accessible by public transit or car. View the Tennis Center website for more information.
Where is parking for the Tennis Center?
Event parking is at Citi Field, located next to the Tennis Center. Go to the Tennis Center website for more information.
Accessibility Services
Graduates and guests should be prepared to walk at least 3 miles throughout the day.
If a member of your party needs or prefers access to a wheelchair or other mobility devices for the duration of the day, please bring your own personal device. For those who do not own their own personal mobility device, we recommend renting a device for the day, as navigating the USTA Campus requires quite a bit of travel.
Where can I get information about accommodations for accessibility?
Further information about accommodation for accessibility will be available in the new year.
Where is accessible parking?
Limited ADA/accessible/handicapped parking spots are available and will be granted first come, first served to those who have a ticket to attend Commencement.
To request parking:
- Submit an accessibility resources request. This request form will be available in the new year.
- Provide a copy of the requestor’s permanent, state-issued permanent handicapped parking placard.
- Provide a copy of the valid driver’s license for the person who will be driving the vehicle on Monday, May 20, 2024.
- Graduates and guests granted a parking pass will receive confirmation and instructions about where to pick up the pass in-person in May before Commencement.
Is there a drop-off and pick-up zone?
Limited Drop-off and Pick-up passes will be granted first come, first served to those who have a ticket to attend Commencement and submit an accessibility resources request. This request form will be available in the new year.
Will wheelchairs be available?
If a member of your party needs or prefers access to a wheelchair or other mobility devices for the duration of the day, bring your own personal device to best navigate the day. For those who do not own their own personal mobility device, we recommend renting a device for the day, as navigating the USTA Campus requires quite a bit of travel.
Where is accessible seating in the stadiums?
Accessible seating is provided at Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium. You must submit an accessibility resources request to request accessible seating. This request form will be available in the new year.
Policies For Attending
What is the policy for small children and babies to attend?
Guests ages 2 and older must have a ticket and be included in your ticket request form.
Are masks required at the venue?
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center operates under New York City guidelines for entertainment venues. Currently, the city does not require masks for the venue. That may change if conditions change. Pace is always a mask-friendly community, and we will welcome and support mask use by anyone who chooses to wear one at Commencement.