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Ceremony Information

Monday, May 19 Yale University Ceremony

All University Degrees are formally conferred during the Commencement ceremony on Old Campus. During the ceremony, the Dean of Yale College and Deans of the Graduate and professional schools formally present their approved candidates to the President. The President, in turn, confers the degrees and admits new graduates to each degree’s “rights and responsibilities.” Student marshals from each residential college and school accept symbolic diplomas from the president on behalf of their colleagues. The ceremony lasts approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

Tickets are required for the University Commencement ceremony. Each graduate student will receive two tickets prior to the ceremony. A ticket grants admissions onto Old Campus, but does not guarantee a specific seat. Seating is available on a first-come, first- served basis and can't be reserved.

Access to Old Campus will be through Phelps, Chapel East, Dwight Hall, Lanman (handicapped accessible), and Cheney Ives Gates. Miller Gate and High Street Gate will be open to processing graduate and professional students only. (View a map of gates accessible to the public here.)

Please note: Guests are strongly encouraged to avoid bringing bags to all major ceremonies. All bags are subject to search at all events. A luggage check will be set up in Phelps Gate for guests entering Old Campus who are traveling and must have their luggage with them at Class Day or Commencement due to swift arrivals or departures directly prior to or following the ceremonies. Dogs are not allowed at both the SOM or University Ceremony except for service dogs.

A procession of students led by a bagpiper, a bulldog, and a person with a sign reading "School of Management"
Four graduating students in caps and gowns.
Four graduating students wearing caps and gowns taking a selfie
Old Campus Commencement

Timeline of Events

8:00 AM | Gates to Old Campus will open for guests. All guests should be seated by 10:00AM. No standing will be allowed.

8:30 AM | Students meet at the front entrance of Evans Hall: We will then process together to the ceremony.

9:15 AM | Processional to Cross Campus: We will walk from Evans Hall to Cross Campus for the University ceremony. Friends and family can either choose to line up along the processional route to wave and cheer on the graduates, stay at Evans Hall, or make their way to Old Campus for the ceremony if they have a ticket.

10:30 AM | Old Campus Ceremony Begins: Ceremony is only open to ticket holders, who can proceed directly to Old Campus to check-in and find seating.

12:00 PM | Recessional back to Evans Hall: Graduates should make their way back to Evans Hall on their own to attend the SOM Ceremony. Once arrived, graduates should immediately line up at their assigned location on the 2nd floor. Please be sure to arrive back quickly so that we can begin on time.

12:30 PM | SOM Ceremony Begins

Important Information

  • There is no limit or tickets required for families, guests, and partners to attend the SOM graduation ceremony. For the University ceremony, each graduate will receive two e-tickets to provide their guests.
  • Guests will need to register for SOM Commencement activities where registration is required on CampusGroups.
  • Graduates do not need a separate support letter from OISS or from Yale SOM for their guests' visa applications. The Department of State accepts invitation letters written by graduates as a supplemental document for visa applications of family members and friends coming to Commencement. Graduates can also use the email sent from Secretary Goff Crews to students inviting them to Commencement 2025 as a supplemental document.

All guests for Commencement activities will be required to follow the current visitor policy.
  • All students participating in both the University ceremony and the SOM ceremony must wear regalia.
  • Orders: Regalia is now available for purchase through the Yale Hub. The last day to order regalia without a late fee is March 28, 2025 at 4:00pm and the last day to order regalia is is April 9, 2025 at 4:00pm.
  • Rentals: Regalia is available for rent while supplies last from Student Government's Sustainability Committee, with proceeds going to the Internship Fund. More information can be found on CampusGroups.
  • What to order: When placing your order through the Yale Hub, you should select: Master's cap & tassel; Master's gown; Blue Master's hood. The gowns are yours to keep and not to be returned after Commencement.
  • Cost: The Master's cap, gown, hood and tassel is $63.00 +tax.
  • Pickup: Regalia will be available for pickup at the Payne Whitney Gym. Click here for the list of dates and times.
  • If you are unable to pick up your regalia at the times listed, you can have someone pick it up for you. The person picking it up must present their Yale ID as well as a signed note from you authorizing pickup for the order.
  • If you have any questions regarding regalia, please contact aya@yale.edu.
  • EMBA Students: Regalia will be available the morning of Commencement, 8:00am – 8:45am in Beinecke Terrace.
  • Is there a dress code? No, but we recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Low heels or flats are appropriate for navigating the grass and mulched pathways of Old Campus.
  • It can be mild and sunny or cold and rainy in Connecticut in May. Dress with an eye to the weather and comfort. Both the University ceremony and the SOM ceremony are held outdoors in rain or shine.
  • Rain gear, including water-impervious footwear, is important; and rain ponchos are preferred over umbrellas so sightlines are not blocked. Sunglasses and hats may also be useful.
  • Graduates will not have anywhere to store their belongings, so we recommend packing lightly and note that anything you bring you will have to carry with you to both ceremonies.
  • At the University ceremony, a symbolic diploma will be presented to the SOM student marshals. Individual diplomas will be distributed at SOM in the Beckenstein Atrium directly after the SOM ceremony. You will need a photo ID. 
  • April 8, 2024 is the last day to change your name on your diploma via the Yale Hub.
  • The official conferral date for your Diploma is May 19, 2025.
  • If the diploma is not picked up after the ceremony, you can request to have it mailed by submitting a Diploma Order Form at anytime. Click for more information regarding diplomas.
  • The Diploma does not show the Management Science concentration. Your official transcript will, however! As soon-to-be Alumni, you can order transcripts through Parchment. More information on this process can be found in the “support” link on the Parchment site.
  • Diploma Holds: If you are on a diploma hold, you will not receive a diploma at commencement and will need to submit a Diploma Order form once the hold is cleared.
  • Professional photographers will be on site during both ceremonies.
  • The photographers will take candid photos as well as a photo of each graduate receiving their diploma, and walking across the stage.
  • Photos of graduates will be made available for purchase after the ceremony. One digital image of each graduate will be provided free of charge. Links to view Commencement photos will be made available here after the ceremony.
  • Accessible seating at the SOM Ceremony: Assisted seating is available at the SOM ceremony for those with accessibility needs. There will be a designated seating area located on the right side of the Evans Hall courtyard. There will be a ramp, but please keep in mind that seating is in a grassy area. Families with a reserved seating in this area will be seated together in the assigned chairs which will be labeled. To request assisted seating, please email som.aasl@yale.edu no later than May 5th including the number of seats needed and whether anyone in the party will be in a wheelchair or a motorized scooter. 
  • Wheelchairs: Yale does not offer complimentary wheelchairs. Yale will have a few available in the case of a medical emergency. We recommend that families who need a wheelchair bring one with them.
  • Assistive Listening Devices: Assistive Listening Devices are available for guests attending ceremonies on Old Campus as well as at the SOM Ceremony.
  • Access Map: Yale's Campus Map includes information about building accessibility which can be found here.
  • Accessible Parking: Accessibility drop-off locations will be accommodated in Yale Lot 51, located on Temple Street from 4:00pm on Friday through 12:00pm on Tuesday.
  • Parking: The following lots and garages on campus will be open from 5:00PM on May 17 to 12:00PM on May 21. Central Campus: 11, 16, 16v, 22, 30, 37v, 41, 62, 63, 65, 66, 77, 78, 78w, 81, 83, 199, Howe Street Garage, Pierson-Sage Garage, Whitney Avenue Garage.
  • Traveling to/from New Haven Train Stations: Yale shuttles, which are free to members of the Yale community and their guests, are available from Union Station and State Street Station beginning at 7:00am. every day. University ID is not required.
  • Accommodation: Information on accommodations can be found here.
  • All Gender Restrooms at Yale: For the convenience of our students and guests, all gender restrooms are available across campus, including on the Old Campus where Commencement takes place. Please visit the Office of LGBTQ Resources webpage for a map of all gender restrooms on campus.
  • It is Yale's custom to hold the University and SOM ceremony outdoors regardless of the weather. In the event of rain, be prepared with raincoats, umbrellas, and wet-weather shoes. Unless weather conditions are dangerous or severe, Commencement and Class Day will take place outside on Old Campus, although processions and programs may be shortened.
  • For the SOM Ceremony: If we anticipate a dangerous storm, you will be notified by 8:00am on the day of the event that a severe weather plan is in effect.
  • If you lose an item during Commencement weekend, please call the Yale Security Department at 203-785-5555. A dispatcher will assist you in finding the proper lost and found location.
  • If you lose an item in Evans Hall, please head to the front security desk.
Graduating students looking out a window of Evans Hall
A graduating student walking across the stage with two children
A graduating student holding a diploma and smiling
Commencement

May 19 Yale SOM Ceremony

Timeline of Events:

12:00 PM | Graduates return to Evans Hall and proceed to their designated lineup location. Assigned locations will be communicated to graduates as we near closer to Commencement.

12:30 PM | SOM Diploma Granting Ceremony Begins: The processional will be led by Dean Charles, the faculty and student marshals, followed by graduates. The ceremony generally lasts 1.5-2 hours.

2:30 PM | Diploma Pickup: Graduates will have until 4:30pm pick up their diploma in the Atrium after Ceremony.

Other Important Info:

Once you've found your seat, please remain seated. Staff will be onsite at the entrances and around the seating area to help you locate your seat.

The ceremony will include Self-Graduation: Self-graduation is a Yale SOM tradition that began at the very first Commencement ceremony of the school. It is a tradition where our graduates announce the names of their classmates as they receive their diplomas. As the first graduate comes forward to receive their diploma, the next graduate will announce the graduate’s name. Each graduate will do the same and Dean Tsung will announce the name of the last graduate.

The ceremony will include a welcome from Dean Charles, speeches from our student speakers, and the official roll call of students attending in-person, where you will walk across the stage and collect your diploma cover. Please remember that you must pick up your diploma after the ceremony in the Atrium.