We are committed to making the Columbia University Commencement Week events accessible to all guests. The Office of Disability Services coordinates all disability access and accommodations on campus. During Commencement events, Disability Services staff, Event Hosts, and Public Safety officers will be on hand to assist guests with disabilities. 

These services will be available to all guests at the University Commencement ceremony. Guests with disabilities do not need to alert the University in advance to reserve seating or to make other arrangements. No special tickets are required to enter designated seating areas; general admission tickets may be used.

The information below is for the University Commencement ceremony only. Disability Services also coordinates all individual school ceremonies and the Baccalaureate Service. For more information please contact the Office of Disability Services at [email protected].

University Commencement Disability Services (May 18)

Designated Access Gates

All guests with disabilities should enter Morningside campus at the following gates:

• 116th Street and Amsterdam Avenue
  Gate opens at 8:30 a.m.
• 115th Street and Amsterdam Avenue (between Wallach and Hartley Halls).
  Gate opens at 8:30 a.m.
  

It is important that guests with disabilities enter campus through the above designated gates. The general admission gates on 114th Street are not accessible. The large number of guests at Commencement will make movement on campus difficult.

Seating

There are two dedicated seating areas on campus during Commencement for guests with disabilities:

• Disability Access Area on College Walk near Kent Hall (with seating, wheelchair accessibility and sign-language interpretation). The best gate to use to gain access to this area is at 116th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.
• Disability Access Tent adjacent to Hamilton Hall (with seating, wheelchair accessibility, sign-language interpretation and closed-caption video of the Commencement exercises). The best gate to use to gain access to this tent is at 116th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.

Please note: Only College Walk and lower campus (South Lawn) will be open to guests during the Commencement exercises. After the main ceremony is completed (at approximately noon), the entire campus will open, and guests with disabilities may use the elevator to upper campus at the east end of Dodge Hall. (Public Safety officers will be available to assist guests.)

Parking

There is no on-campus parking. Drivers are advised to drop off and pick up passengers with disabilities at either of the accessible gates listed above. View a list of area parking garages.

Shuttle

A shuttle bus will circle the perimeter of campus to pick up guests with disabilities, their families and those who need special assistance. The bus will transport guests to the appropriate access gate. Event staff will assist guests to their seats.

Services for Guests with Visual Disabilities

Large-print Commencement programs will be available at both disability access areas on campus.

Services for Guests who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

The University's Commencement exercises will include sign language interpretation in both disability access areas. The disability access tent will also have closed-caption video of the Commencement exercises.

Wheelchair Reservations

The University will have a limited number of wheelchairs available from Friday, May 14 through Wednesday, May 19 at no cost. These must be reserved ahead of time. Please call or email the Office of Disability Services at (212) 854-2388 or [email protected] to make a reservation and to arrange pick-up of the wheelchair.

Contact Us

For further information, call the Office of Disability Services at 212-854-2388 or email [email protected]

Disability Access Map (PDF). Printed copies of the Disability Access Map are available at the Public Safety booths on 116th Street at Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue or at the ODS office.