Celebrating the Class of 2024
Dear Class of 2024,
Congratulations on reaching this milestone! The entire community of staff, faculty, fellow students, and our alumni is proud to see you approaching a day you have been working for since orientation. CUNY Law is looking forward to celebrating your success with a fantastic Commencement Ceremony. More details will be provided on this page in the weeks ahead.
This year’s Commencement Week Activities kick off with Reuinon and include Pipeline Graduation Celebration, and Student Awards Night. We hope to see you and your loved ones celebrating all that you’ve accomplished as you prepare for your next chapter.
As you get ready for graduation, please read all the information on this page and check back periodically for updates. Be mindful of upcoming deadlines as they are fast approaching and can affect your attendance/participation in graduation.
We look forward to cheering you on with your family and friends this May!
Commencement Ceremony
May 23, 2024 | 11 AM | Location TBA
The Law School’s Commencement Ceremony is a ticketed event to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2024 and to welcome their loved ones to join as our graduates complete law school and begin their next chapter.
Commencement Speaker
Deborah N. Archer
President of the American Civil Liberties Union
Professor Archer is a leading expert in civil rights, civil liberties, and racial justice. She is the Associate Dean for Experiential Education and Clinical Programs, the Margaret B. Hoppin Professor of Clinical Law, and the Faculty Director of the Community Equity Lab at New York University School of Law. Professor Archer also serves as the President of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). A graduate of Yale Law School and Smith College, she previously worked as an attorney with the ACLU and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., where she litigated in the areas of voting rights, employment discrimination, and school desegregation. She is also a former Chair of the Association of American Law Schools’ Sections on Civil Rights and Minority Groups and previously served as Chair of the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board, the nation’s oldest and largest police oversight agency.
Dean’s Medal Recipient
Muhammad U. Faridi ’07
Partner, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP
COMMENCEMENT WEEK ACTIVITIES
Reunion
May 16, 2024
We are excited to gather all alumni in celebration of big milestone anniversaries—including CUNY Law’s 40th!
Pipeline Graduation Celebration
May 21, 2024 | 5-7 PM | The Beacon
Join the Pipeline to Justice program at their annual celebration.
Student Awards Night
May 22, 2024 | 5-7 PM | Dave Fields Auditorium & Second Floor Blvd
The Class of 2024, along with family and friends, is invited to a reception in your honor. This is a great opportunity for family and friends to meet the CUNY Law community through the celebratory remarks of student-nominated speakers, awards, and honors.
GRADUATION PREPARATION
Commencement Rehearsal
May 2, 2024 | 6-8 PM | Dave Fields Auditorium
The Class of 2024 will gather to review the schedule, proceedings, and more details for commencement.
Graduation Checklist
Information about Commencement
Students anticipated to graduate at the end of the semester are required to apply for graduation in CUNYfirst. The application to apply for graduation via CUNYFirst will open on Monday, March 25.
After this step, you must then complete a Diploma Form. The deadline to apply for Graduation and complete the Diploma Form will be announced by the Registrar’s Office.
In addition, you will need to complete and submit the 2024 Graduation Survey by March 31. The survey will be sent via email to graduates from the Office of Student Affairs.
Regalia must be ordered by Friday, March 29, 2024 online at https://collegegrad.herffjones.com.
Your regalia is paid for by your materials fees. There is a gold tassel included with your regalia with the graduation date attached. This tassel will be used on graduation day and is yours to keep. Examples of souvenir tassels ($18.95) and a diploma frame ($169) are available for viewing in Student Affairs and available for you to purchase via the link above.
Regalia must be picked up between April 30 – May 20 from the Career Planning Office in Room 4-108 no later than May 20th at noon. CUNY Law staff will not be able to deliver any regalia on Commencement Day.
The Commencement Ceremony is a ticketed event for the Class of 2024 and their invited guests.
Ticket Distribution
May 1-8 | 12PM – 6:00 PM on MON-THURS | Office of Student Affairs
Tickets will be distributed to graduates in the Office of Student Affairs. Graduates are responsible for picking up their own tickets.
How many tickets are graduates eligible for?
Graduating students who confirmed with the Office of Student Affairs their intent to walk at this year’s ceremony are eligible to receive up to four (4) tickets. Students may request additional tickets. However, requests for additional tickets for Commencement are subject to availability depending on the number of tickets that are not claimed. Requests for additional tickets will be distributed via lottery from the unclaimed/remaining tickets available.
Graduates are responsible for distributing physical tickets to their guests directly. There will be no digital tickets.
Guest hooders and all children over the age of two (2) require a ticket. Children under the age of two must sit on the lap of a ticketed guest.
The selling or buying of Commencement tickets is strictly prohibited.
Please be cautious of offers to sell or buy Commencement tickets. Tickets hold no official resale value and may be unauthorized copies, and therefore deemed unusable and denied at the venue. Commencement tickets for the sole purpose of enabling friends and relatives of graduating students to attend the ceremony. Lost tickets will not be replaced.
Do not trade or swap tickets with another graduate.
Students who have requested guest hooders or to walk with children will receive additional instructions and marked tickets to ensure guests participating in the ceremony are seated in appropriate sections.
How do I request my tickets?
Students who confirmed their participation in this year’s ceremony with the Office of Student Affairs via the Graduation Survey will receive an email individual survey link from Student Affairs to request tickets. Requests should be submitted no later than April 26 at 5PM. Graduates can also submit requests for additional tickets via this form.
What if I need extra tickets?
Graduates may request additional tickets using the original ticket request form, with submissions due no later than April 26. Additional tickets are not guaranteed. Following a review of the remaining available tickets and submitted requests, a randomized lottery will be conducted until all tickets are allocated. Efforts will be made to accommodate all students requesting additional tickets, granting at least one extra ticket per student, subject to availability. In case of demand surpassing availability, a single drawing may be held.
Children of graduates can participate in the Commencement Ceremony. If you would like to have your child or children process across the stage with you during the conferral of degrees, you must submit your request through the Graduation Survey.
Children ages 2 and up are considered ticketed guests and those confirmed for participation will receive a permission card that must be presented on Commencement Day.
Submitting your information does not create any obligation to participate; if you decide that you do not want to include your child/children at a later date, just let Student Affairs know.
Each year, graduates are hooded by two faculty members of the class’s choosing. Students are also welcome to invite any faculty member or an attorney of their choice to do their hooding.
If you would like to have a guest hooder, please indicate that person’s name in the Graduation Survey. Please note that to invite a guest hooder, students must use one of their allotted tickets to the Commencement Ceremony.
If you choose this option you will receive instructions and a guest hooder permission card during the Commencement Rehearsal on May 2 at 6:00 pm. Guest Hooders must present their permission card on Commencement Day. You will be responsible for making arrangements with this individual and providing them with their ticket and permission card.
Harlem’s World-Famous Apollo Theater makes every effort to preserve the venue’s historical authenticity and architectural integrity. Banners, posters, balloons, and other decorations are not permitted, nor is any object that could obstruct the view of guests or cause any damage to the venue.
Information for family and guests to follow.
Ticketed guests are invited to take photos and videos using personal recording devices. We ask that you remain in your seats and out of the processional aisles to ensure the event can run smoothly.
Island Photography will provide photos from our Commencement Ceremony which will be made available for students to purchase. Every graduate will be photographed twice as they cross the stage, greet the Dean, and return to their seat. Island Photography will mail and email complimentary color proofs to each graduate within 48 hours of the ceremony.
CUNY Law is not involved in the registration or distribution of Island Photography proofs of photos. Information about how to register will be emailed to students.
CUNY Law will publish a gallery of images taken throughout Commencement Day and a special video for the graduating class, both of which will be published on the Law School’s website.
Information about which entrances students will use upon arrival is forthcoming.
Directions
NYC Subway
- Take the A, B, C or D trains to 125th Street and walk 1.25 blocks East to the Apollo’s Historic Theater and Victoria Theater.
- Take the 2 or 3 trains to 125th Street and walk 1.75 blocks West to the Apollo ’s Historic Theater and Victoria Theater.
- Take the 4,5 or 6 trains to 125th Street and then either take a taxi or a bus Westbound to 8th Avenue/Frederick Douglass Boulevard. Walk .25 blocks East to the Apollo’s Historic Theater and Victoria Theater.
Metro-North Railroad
Information about Graduating
Dear Graduating Students,
If you are eligible to graduate this June, you must apply for graduation in CUNYFirst through the application that will open on Monday, March 25. You will receive email notification with relevant information and deadlines, including when the application portal opens and the Diploma Request form is available.
Any legal Name Changes should be submitted using the linked form to our office before graduation.
June graduates’ physical diplomas are expected to be available in late August/early September. Electronic diplomas will be available in early to mid-August.
Congratulations!
The Office of the Registrar
The application to apply for graduation via CUNYFirst will open on Monday, March 25.
1. Students can access the Online Graduation Application via CUNYFirst > Student Center > Graduation
2. Select the My Academics tab and click on the Apply for Graduation link.
3. Verify your graduation data, including CUNY School of Law, program, degree and expected graduation term and click the submit application button.
4. When completed you will receive a confirmation message.
Information about study spaces, test prep, resources, and more are forthcoming in March and will be published on the website and linked here.
Information and resources regarding loans repayment, financial literary, and more are forthcoming in March and will be published on the website and linked here.