Commencement Ceremony

Commencement will be at Selma and Max Kupferberg Center for the Arts, Colden Auditorium, Queens College. Click here for information on parking and directions to Kupferberg Center.

Graduates must arrive at the Colden Auditorium at 10:00am for a group photograph. Family and friends will be admitted at 10:30am.

Reception

There will be a reception at the law school on Thursday, May 16 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for your family and friends to meet the CUNY School of Law community. There will be light refreshments and music. There are parking garages within 3 blocks of the law school. The law school is on 44th Dr. by the Rafferty Triangle.

Commencement Speaker

Commencement Speaker Judge Jenny Rivera was appointed to a seat on the New York State Court of Appeals in February, 2013. Read more about Judge Rivera.

Honorary Degree Recipients

Lucas Guttentag is Senior Counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union's Immigrants' Rights Project and teaches at Yale Law School. He has argued important constitutional cases involving immigrants before the Supreme Court and various United States Courts of Appeals. He is in the forefront of the fight against laws such as Arizona's SB 1070 and anti-immigrant laws in states including Georgia and Alabama.

Beth E. Richie is Professor of Criminal Justice and Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a graduate of the CUNY Graduate and University Center, where she received her Ph.D. in sociology in 1992. Currently Dr. Richie is leading a multi-million dollar research project sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation researching women and youth issues at Rikers Island Correctional Facility. She was the recipient of three major awards: the National Advocacy Award by the Department of Health and Health and Human Services, Office of Violence Prevention; the Audre Lorde Legacy Award of the Union Institute stemming from her work with the National Network for Women in Prison; and the Visionary Award Of the Violence Intervention Project.

Graduation Regalia

You can pick up your regalia in the Career Planning Office, Room 4/108. Unfortunately, we cannot take any regalia with us on graduation day, so please pick up your regalia by Thursday, May 16th at noon. Your gown and hood must be returned immediately following the graduation ceremony. The cap and tassel are yours to keep. We will have a drop-off station for you to leave the items to be returned. This must be done directly following the graduation ceremony at Colden Auditorium.

Commencement Photography

We have been working with Island Photography for many years regarding coverage during our commencement ceremony. Having confirmed our arrangements for 2013, we would like to introduce you to this photo service.

Every graduate will be photographed twice as they cross the stage, are greeted by the Dean and return to their seat. There will also be a group photograph taken of the entire class.

There is absolutely no obligation to purchase! Everyone will be photographed so make sure you register to receive your proofs! Within 48 hours after the ceremony, complimentary color proofs will be emailed and mailed to every graduate. This service guarantees each student a unique keepsake of this memorable achievement (color proofs are complimentary).

If you do wish to purchase photos, the pricing is quite reasonable with packages starting at only $7.95!

Island Photography is requesting your address and email information to deliver your color proofs. This is the only way they will be able to communicate with you. The school is not responsible for delivering proofs or furnishing your information.

It's simple and only takes a minute... you'll be glad you did! Click here to sign up to receive your proofs.

Hotel Reservations

We have reserved a block of rooms at the following hotels:

Fairfield Inn Long Island City

We have rooms there from May 15-May 20 for $199 per night. The hotel has complimentary breakfast and shuttle service to nearby subway stations. In addition, there is a free shuttle that will take guests anywhere within a 2 mile radius, which includes the law school. This will be very convenient for individuals attending our Thursday night reception.

LaGuardia Airport Hotel

We have rooms here from May 14 - 20 for $119 per night plus tax. This rate includes complimentary continental breakfast, WiFi, and LaGuardia Airport Shuttle.