FAQ
Commencement 2024
When and where will Commencement be held?
We will celebrate our Graduates at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens on Monday, May 20, 2024.
There will be one main ceremony for all graduates, with the keynote Commencement speaker, and then individual school and college ceremonies throughout the day.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is easily accessible by public transit or car. Visit the Tennis Center website for more information, including parking.
Which stadiums within USTA will be used for ceremonies?
Pace will be hosting ceremonies in Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums. Both stadiums are covered to accommodate inclement weather.
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
- Register to attend and request tickets for Commencement *link will be provided soon
- Order graduation regalia (cap, gown, and hood) *link will be provided soon
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 cross the stage at Commencement?
Yes! All graduates must register and request tickets to attend. The link to register and request tickets will be available soon.
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.
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.
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 Wednesday, March 13, 2024, deadline will receive up to 6 guest tickets, plus a ticket for themselves. All graduates and guests ages 2 and older must have a ticket to enter the venue.
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?
Information for accessing and saving your tickets will be available in the new year.
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 can be ordered through Herff Jones. The link to order will be available soon on our Commencement website.
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.
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 2023.