Cornell University Commencement

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Tickets | Severe Weather Plan

Tickets for Commencement Ceremony

Outdoor Ceremony in Schoellkopf Stadium -- Tickets are NOT needed

The main ceremony on Sunday morning is held in Schoellkopf Stadium and does NOT require tickets, nor is there a limit on number of guests. However, seating is first-come, first-served so guests may start arriving as early as 8:00am to be seated by the 10:00am procession arrival time.

Click here for a photo.

The ceremony WILL be held outside in light rain, so be prepared with umbrellas, coats, hats, etc. The stadium does not have a roof, so be prepared with sunblock for a sunny day.

Click here to view Ithaca's 10-day weather forecast

Indoor "Severe-Weather Plan" Ceremony -- Tickets ARE Needed if the event is moved indoors

Our Severe Weather Plan is defined as potentially dangerous weather, torrential downpour, high winds, lightning, unsafe conditions for our guests to sit outside. Unless these conditions apply, the ceremony will be outside in Schoellkopf Stadium (even in rain).

If we determine the morning of Commencement that we need to enact our Severe Weather Plan and move the ceremony inside, admission will be by "severe weather ticket" only and all guests MUST have a ticket. Graduates do not need a ticket.

Severe Weather Tickets

Each student will be mailed four (4) severe weather tickets in a Commencement information packet in late February. Again, these tickets will become necessary ONLY if we enact our Severe Weather Plan and move the ceremony to an indoor location. Otherwise, these tickets will not be used.

Two (2) of the four severe weather tickets will provide access to Barton Hall where the main ceremony will take place IF we are under a severe weather plan. The graduate does not need a ticket, so he/she may give both tickets to family.

The other two (2) severe weather tickets will provide access for 2 guests to view the ceremony on large TV screens in Bartels Hall, Kennedy Hall Auditorium, and Statler Auditorium.

Severe Weather Tickets mailed to students in February.

May '10 graduates: SWP tickets will be mailed in February to each STUDENT at his/her "LOCAL" (ie Ithaca) address listed in Student Center. PLEASE BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR ADDRESS INFORMATION UP TO DATE SO THAT YOU RECEIVE YOUR TICKETS.

August '09 and January '10 graduates: SWP tickets will be mailed in February to these graduates at their "HOME" (ie permanent) address listed in Student Center.

Tickets cannot be replaced if lost or misplaced, nor can we issue more than 4 per student, as indoor seating will be very limited. Family members without a severe weather ticket may watch the event via webcast or local cable channel 16. Thank you for your cooperation.

These tickets can only be used at the time printed on the ticket.

Please note: If weather is severe enough to move the ceremony indoors, then some family members may prefer to remain in the comfort of homes or hotels to view the ceremony via webcast or local cable channel 16.

If a student did not receive his/her severe weather tickets, it is generally because the student either did not provide a "local address" in Student Center (we could not mail their packet), or the student provided an outdated "local address" in Student Center (causing the post office to return the packet as undeliverable). In these situations:
- Students in CALS, Arts & Sciences, and Engineering will notified via email to pick up their undeliverable packet at B13 Day Hall. (After May 13, all undeliverable packets will be moved to the Information & Referral Center in the main lobby of Day Hall where they can be picked up.)
- Students in AA&P , Hotel, Human Ecology, and ILR need to pick up their undeliverable packet from their college registrar.

Severe Weather Plan for Commencement Ceremony

Unless there is severe weather, (e.g., torrential rains and lightning), the ceremony will be held outdoors at Schoellkopf Stadium—even if it is raining. If showers do occur, certain events may be eliminated or shortened.

Please advise your family and friends to be prepared for the weather.

If severe weather is expected, either the ceremony in Schoellkopf Stadium will be delayed or two abbreviated indoor ceremonies will be conducted in Barton Hall. The details will be announced on local radio and television stations starting at 8:00 a.m. on commencement day.

If it becomes necessary to hold the ceremony indoors, the degree groups will be honored at the following times:

10:30a
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Johnson Graduate School of Management
College of Veterinary Medicine
Law School

1:00p
College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
College of Engineering
Graduate School
School of Hotel Administration
College of Human Ecology
School of Industrial and Labor Relations

Degree candidates will be directed to seating areas arranged by college. Guests will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis and many will be asked to stand. Special provisions have been made for mobility-impaired persons who preregister.

Candidates and guests for the first ceremony may enter through the doors either on the Statler side or on the Teagle side of Barton Hall. After the ceremony, everyone should exit as rapidly as possible through the doors on the Teagle side of Barton Hall.

Those attending the second ceremony should enter only through the doors on the Statler side of Barton Hall but may exit through any door.

Mobility-impaired guests should enter through specially designated doors on the Teagle side of Barton Hall for either ceremony.

Please note: No animals (other than service animals), alcoholic beverages or glass bottles are allowed inside Barton Hall.