Guest Information

We were excited to have you visit Ithaca and the beautiful Cornell campus for Cornell University Commencement Weekend on May 23 – 25, 2025.

Please check back in November for details regarding Commencement Weekend 2026. Thank you!

Please click on the topics below to see what our typical plans are for the weekend. Refer often for updates during the next several weeks and during the spring months. Thank you!

Be prepared for all types of weather with sunblock, umbrella, coats and hats, etc. The ceremonies will remain outdoors even if hot, cold, or rainy. Dress per your comfort level for the events you plan to attend, business-casual is common. Wear comfortable walking shoes for Cornell’s hills! Bring Band-Aids for blisters. Umbrellas for sun and rain, clothing for cool and hot temperatures.

Make sure everyone in your party knows the student’s college and which ceremony you are to attend based on graduate’s conferring college. Your graduate will not always be with you or reachable by phone, so you need this information.

It is fairly easy for family members, especially guests without a phone, to get separated from the group and need to know where to meet their family. Some students give every family member a card that has the student’s college name written down in case phone batteries deplete, WiFi is unreliable, or cell towers are overloaded. This is especially helpful for family members who do not speak fluent English, as they can show the card for help to staff on campus.

We are pleased to offer accessible seating and parking plans for guests with limited stamina or mobility concerns attending the stadium events on Saturday. Please consider bringing a wheelchair or transport chair for the comfort and safety of guests with mobility or stamina challenges. If you’re bringing a wheelchair, you’ll need our Yellow Accessibility Plan for appropriate seating & parking access.

On Friday, all parking lots are free and open to use while attending events on campus. On Saturday, all central campus roads, including those surrounding Schoellkopf Field, will be closed 6:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. for the safety of pedestrians. Please review parking and directions for parking, buses, and accessibility information. On Sunday, all parking lots are free and open to use while attending events on campus.

Dining

Food and beverages will be available at several locations on and off campus during the weekend. Visit our Dining section for details. We encourage guests to bring snacks to have on hand, especially for young children, elderly family members, or guests with special dietary needs.

Lodging

Visit our Lodging section for more information about on-campus housing and local housing options.

In addition to Commencement, you and your graduate will also attend a separate college or department event. Many of those events take place on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Please visit our Events & Schedule page for help with planning your weekend.

An electronic version of all Graduates’ names is available here.

The Cornell Store

The Cornell Store is happy to welcome graduates and guests to our stores during Commencement Weekend, Thursday, May 22 – Sunday, May 25! Please check back in the spring for more details. Commencement Weekend store hours are listed below. All updates regarding Commencement Weekend at The Cornell Store will be posted at: The Cornell Store. List of all retail locations and hours.
The Cornell Store (Main Campus, 135 Ho Plaza)
Friday, May 22: 8:30am-7pm
Saturday, May 23: 9am-7pm
Sunday, May 24: 10am-5pm
Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day): Closed

The Cornell Store on the Ithaca Commons
Friday, May 22: 10am-9pm
Saturday, May 23: 10am-9pm
Sunday, May 24: 10am-6pm
Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day): 11am-5pm

The Cornell Store at the Statler Hotel (Statler Hotel Lobby)
Friday, May 22: 8am-7pm
Saturday, May 23: 8am-7pm
Sunday, May 24: 8am-5pm
Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day): 10am-3pm

Announcements

Order formal customized graduation announcements from Balfour to inform family and friends of accomplishments. The ceremony date of May 23, 2026 is on the announcement. Balfour also offers thank you notes, etiquette seals, custom seal note cards, return address labels, and certificates of appreciation.

Class Rings

The Cornell Store works with Balfour to provide Cornell rings in a variety of styles for men and women.

Diploma Frames

Diplomas are mailed to graduates in late June. They are not given out at the ceremonies.
A variety of quality USA made diploma frames are available in-store and online at The Cornell Store throughout the year.

Pets are not allowed at any Commencement events during the weekend, be it indoors or outdoors.

In accordance with State and Federal requirements, service animals are permitted.

SAFETY: To enroll your cell phone to receive emergency notifications, text “CornellVisitor” to 226787. The safety and security of everyone on campus is of great importance to Cornell University. so please review security measures for Commencement Weekend.

LOST AND FOUND: Phone: 607-255-7197

The weekend working Hours in Barton Hall, G-2 are: Friday, May 22 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; Saturday, May 23 8:00 am – 2:00 pm; Sunday, May 24 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

CLEAR BAG POLICY: To uphold health and safety protocols, minimize contact and ensure a swifter entry process, a clear bag policy is strongly encouraged at the University Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday at Schoellkopf Field. Other weekend events are encouraging clear bags as well.
If a bag is necessary, it must be clear and all bags are subject to inspection. Permissible bags include clear totes (not exceeding 12”x6”x12”), 1-gallon clear storage bags, or strapless/handheld clutches (not exceeding 6.5″ x 4.5″). Diaper bags must be accompanied with a child. Cornell reserves the right to search persons, property, and non-transparent bags at various entrances.

No alcohol or glass bottles allowed in the Stadium.

No pets allowed, unless a service animal at Schoellkopf Stadium.

Please check back in mid-late January for information on how graduates register guests for the University Ceremonies at the stadium. The graduate must register themselves and the number of guests attending (age 2 and above) for either Commencement ceremony at 10:00 a.m. or 2:30 p.m.

Guests will need a ticket to enter the University commencement ceremony at the stadium. Ticket information will be posted in mid-late January. Please check back for updates. We do encourage 4 guests per graduate. Graduates do not need tickets to attend either of the University Commencement Ceremonies.

Commencement Ceremonies will take place outside at Schoellkopf Stadium on Saturday, even in the rain. Be prepared to sit in hot sun or rain. Umbrellas are allowed in the stadium. However, if potentially dangerous weather, torrential downpour, high winds, lightning, or any other condition is deemed too unsafe to hold the ceremonies at Schoellkopf Field, we will enact our Severe Weather Plan and the ceremonies affected will be canceled and unable to be rescheduled. Please review the Severe Weather Plan for details.

The Ph.D. Ceremony will be livestreamed starting at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2026. Both University Commencement Ceremonies will be livestreamed starting at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Watch the livestream broadcast of each of the three events or the recorded broadcast at a later time.

The links below are from the events in May 2025.

Link to Ph.D. Ceremony Livestream

1st University Commencement Ceremony Livestream @ 9:00 AM

2nd University Commencement Ceremony Livestream @ 1:30 PM