We are excited to have you visit Ithaca and the beautiful Cornell campus for Cornell University Commencement Weekend on May 23 – 25, 2025.
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!
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.
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.
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 23: 8:30am-7pm
Saturday, May 24: 9am-7pm
Sunday, May 25: 10am-5pm
Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day): Closed
The Cornell Store on the Ithaca Commons
Friday, May 23: 10am-9pm
Saturday, May 24: 10am-9pm
Sunday, May 25: 10am-6pm
Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day): 11am-5pm
The Cornell Store at the Statler Hotel (Statler Hotel Lobby)
Friday, May 23: 8am-7pm
Saturday, May 24: 8am-7pm
Sunday, May 25: 8am-5pm
Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day): 10am-3pm
Announcements
Order formal customized graduation announcements from Balfour to inform family and friends of accomplishments. The ceremony date of May 24, 2025 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.
Flower Bouquets to Order
Flower Bouquets may be pre-ordered online here through The Cornell Store. Orders may be picked up at the booth located conveniently at: The Cornell Store on May 23 – May 25 from 9am-5pm or Schoellkopf Stadium at a table on the Crescent concourse on May 24 from 8am-5pm or Bartels Hall, outside under a tent on Friday and Saturday.
Cornellian Yearbook
Order the 2025 yearbook, “The Cornellian”, Cornell University’s official yearbook, now! The Cornellian yearbook ordering information Please direct yearbook questions to Cornellian.
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 23 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Saturday, May 2548:00 am – 2:00 pm Sunday, May 25 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.
The student registration form is now available. Refer to Student Information for details. If a guest’s plans change, and they are unable to attend, we do not need to be notified.
Note: College/School and Department events are listed here. Some events require students to register themselves and their guests, separate from the University Commencement ceremony registration. Please be sure to review the information for your graduate’s college/school and department with your graduate so that you all know when and where any planned event(s) will take place during Commencement weekend.
Information will be emailed to your graduate explaining how to obtain tickets in mid-March. Tickets are only reserved by participating graduates. Thank you for your patience as we finalize the reservation process.
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.
Both Commencement Ceremonies will be livestreamed starting at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Watch the livestream broadcast of each of the two in-person events or the recorded broadcast at a later time. The links will be posted a few days before the events.