Commencement: An Overview – Arriving, Watching, Marching
Written by Stevie Loop
Ok. It’s here. You’re graduating. If you’re a little anxious about the Commencement ceremony, don’t be. We got this. Here are a few tips and key details that will ensure you know what to do, your family knows where to go, and that you all have an amazing graduation experience!
Get to the Chicago Theatre an hour before your ceremony starts.
There are directions, parking maps, and parking rates on the Commencement website.
Your guests will enter the Theatre and be seated to watch the Music Department’s preshow. Commencement is a ticketed event. Reserve your tickets through the online ticket reservation system. Guests can enter the Theatre up to 45 minutes before the ceremony.
How do I get graduation photos and the commencement dvd?
There will be a photographer at commencement who will take three poses of each and every graduate. You will then get proofs in the mail should you want to order prints. You don’t need to do anything, this just happens automatically. If you’d rather we not give your mailing information to GradImages, please send an email with the subject line “DO NOT RELEASE ADDRESS” to commencement@colum.edu.
You and/or your family can order the DVD – which includes footage of the ceremony, of you crossing the stage and some super awesome footage from end-of-the-year events such as Manifest. You can pre-order the DVD online now and save 20%.
Who are the commencement honorees?
Commencement honorees are announced online in early Spring. Keep your eyes out to see who’ll represent the Class of 2012 this year!
How do I arrange for special assistance for myself or one of my guests?
Students who require assistance during the ceremony should contact the office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 312.369.8132. The Chicago Theatre is happy to accommodate guests who require assistance or wheelchair seating. There will be ushers at all the entrances ready to help. There is no need to make arrangements in advance.
I see that each ceremony is about two hours long. Is it suitable for a five and ten-year old to attend to see their aunt graduate?
tried to get tickets for my son’s graduation. It’s not going through. Help!
Only Columbia students can get tickets- parents cannot order them, as we require them to log in to order them. Tell your son to go to Students.Colum.edu/tickets.
Are guests allowed to bring their own cameras to the ceremony?
The ticket reservation system is not allowing me to submit my request for 6 tickets. Could I please be helped to resolve this problem?
Please e-mail commencement@colum.edu with a detailed description of the problem you’re having.
My parents are divorced and woul prefer NOT to be seated next to each other. Is it possible to get my six tickets in two groups of three instead of six in a row? If so, how do I request this? Thank you!
please send two tickets
Greg,
Students reserve the tickets themselves. Please go to http://students.colum.edu/tickets.
My brother has cerebral palsy and we will need wheelchair access and seating. However, he is young and cannot be secluded. I also requested 4 extra tickets. Would it be possible for all of my guests to be able to sit together even if one needs the wheelchair seating?
Hi Rebecca!
Congrats on your graduation! Chicago Theatre is equipped to assist anyone needing wheelchair access and seating. I have just reached out to them to confirm your party will be able to sit together – I will comment back as soon as I confirm!
commencement@colum.edu
Hi again Rebecca!
Can you please email me at the above email? I have some follow up questions for you to ensure your arrangements!
Thanks!
Jill