FAQ
Commencement 2025
When and where will Commencement be held?
We are excited to honor the Class of 2025 in Louis Armstrong Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens.
Commencement festivities will take place over two days. The celebration will begin Monday, May 19, 2025, with undergraduate ceremonies*, including our main ceremony featuring the keynote Commencement speaker. Our graduate ceremonies will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is easily accessible by public transportation or car. For more details, visit the Tennis Center website.
*Sands College of Performing Arts graduate students are invited to join Commencement on Monday, May 19, 2025
What if it rains?
Louis Armstrong Stadium is covered to accommodate inclement weather.
What do I need to do to participate in Commencement exercises?
All graduates, whether they choose to attend Commencement or not, must Apply for graduation through the office of the registrar in order to receive their diploma.
To participate in Commencement exercises, each graduating student must:
- Register to attend and request tickets for Commencement (information available soon)
- Order graduation regalia (cap, gown, and hood) (information available 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 attend Commencement?
Yes! All graduates must register to attend and request guest tickets. Information about registration will be available closer to the new year.
What is the difference between the Application for Graduation and registering to attend Commencement?
All candidates for graduation must Applying for graduation to receive a diploma. This prompts the Office of the Registrar to conduct the required final review and verification of academic records to confirm your graduation status. 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.
Is there a deadline to apply for graduation?
Yes! Each student from the Class of 2025 applying for graduation must apply by Wednesday, March 18, 2025. Submitting your Application for Graduation and Diploma does not guarantee that you are eligible to cross the stage at Commencement. To cross the stage at Commencement in May, you must have 12 or fewer credits left by the end of the Spring 2025 semester and complete those credits by the end of Summer 2025. Students are not eligible to cross the stage at Commencement 2025 if credits remain to be completed in Fall 2025. Read more information on graduation and conferral of degrees. For further questions about the graduation application, please visit the Office of the Registrar’s Graduation FAQ.
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 2025 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.
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 deadline, can request up to 6 guest tickets and will receive 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?
After registering to attend, 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?
After registering to attend, 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 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.
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, staff, and faculty who register for a seat on the shuttle. Registration will open closer to Commencement.
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.
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.
What if there is a disruption on Commencement day?
We understand that there might be concerns about possible protests or disruptions on Commencement day, but be assured, we're closely monitoring the situation. Pace's dedicated Safety and Security team has been in constant communication with staff at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, who have their own professional team of safety officers. Together we're working to ensure that everyone— graduates and guests alike—can celebrate this special day feeling safe and supported.
What are USTA’s policies for bags and photography?
Per venue policy, bags, backpacks, and suitcases will not be permitted at University Commencement or College Recognition Ceremonies. There are no bag storage facilities on the grounds.
Exceptions will be made for medical device bags, diaper bags, and small bags no larger than 12”W x 12”H x 16”L (30cm W x 30cm H x 40 cm L).
You can review USTA’s Items and Security guidelines for a full list of prohibited items.
Guests who bring any items on our prohibited list, or guests without a ticket, will not be admitted into the event.