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Commencement

commencement 2023 logo image, with the word commencement stacked vertically, but offset, with various colors for each syllable in the word commencement

DATE: WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023

TIME: 10 AM CEREMONY

LOCATION: RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL, NEW YORK CITY

Pratt Institute continues to be guided by its commitment to the health and safety of our community. With this priority in mind, as well as a desire to be as inclusive as possible at our Commencement ceremony, we have updated our COVID-19 policy requirements as follows.   

COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY

We will not check vaccination status upon entry to Radio City Music Hall. This is an off-campus event and COVID-19 vaccination is not required at Radio City Music Hall. Vaccination is strongly encouraged.

Health and safety policies are subject to change based on local, state, and national guidelines, or the policies of the venue. Please continue to check this page for updates. 

TICKETS

All students and guests, including children ages 2 and older, are required to have a digital ticket to enter the venue. Tickets are free and general admission, but each student is limited to 3 guest tickets. Students walking in Commencement MUST arrive in cap and gown and with a digital ticket to enter Radio City Music Hall.

Extra guest tickets: You must submit a request at the Graduation Fair. Extra ticket requests are
assessed the week after the Graduation Fair. Tickets are not distributed on a first-come, first-
served basis, and extra tickets are not guaranteed

ARRIVAL

Students must arrive at 8 AM for check-in. Students must wear their cap and gown and be prepared to show a digital ticket for entry. No handbags, flowers, backpacks, bags, coats, sweaters, wrapped gifts, or other items will be allowed. Leave all personal belongings with your guests.

Doors will open to guests at 9 AM. All guests require a digital ticket for entry.

The ceremony will begin promptly at 10 AM and is expected to last two hours.

ORDER CAP AND GOWN

Academic regalia (cap and gown) is mandatory for participation in Commencement. Participants must wear academic regalia to enter Radio City Music Hall without a guest ticket. All regalia can be purchased online from our vendor, Herff Jones

Orders for campus pickup (at the Graduation Fair) must be placed by March 10, 2023.

Orders for home delivery (for an additional fee) must be placed by April 7, 2023. 

Questions may be addressed to our local Herff Jones representative, Paul Reilly, at pjreilly@herffjones.com.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Students being recognized for academic achievement may walk across the stage wearing honors cords of varying colors and significance. Silver honors cords are awarded to undergraduate students with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.500 and graduate students with a cumulative GPA of 3.850. Students meeting these requirements will receive their silver cords at the Graduation Fair.

Gold, red, and green honors cords are awarded at the Awards Convocation ceremony the day before Commencement. 

A note on cumulative GPA: Honors recognized at the May 2023 Commencement are designated based on work completed through the Fall 2022 semester. Final honors designations will be indicated on the official diploma and academic record, reflecting all grades included in the degree.

GRADUATION FAIR

The Graduation Fair provides an opportunity for students, faculty, and other Commencement participants to prepare for Commencement in one place and on the same day.

MANHATTANBROOKLYN
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
11:30 AM – 6:00 PM
PMC, 7th Floor
Friday, April 28, 2023
10 AM – 7 PM
Student Union
Saturday, April 29, 2023
10 AM – 3 PM
Student Union

Students attending the Graduation Fair will be able to:

  • Pick up their caps and gowns. Academic regalia must be ordered online from Herff Jones by March 10th for pickup at the Graduation Fair. Regalia sets and individual pieces (caps, tassels, hoods) will be available for purchase.
  • Pick up their honors cords. For silver honors cords, undergraduate students need a final GPA of at least 3.500; Graduate students need a final GPA of at least 3.850. 

DIPLOMAS

No diplomas are given at Commencement. Students will receive a physical diploma in the mail and will have the option to download an eDiploma through our trusted partner, CeCredentialTrust. Diploma printing is done offsite and in batches following each semester. Please allow up to a month for diploma ordering, production, and delivery. 

Sometimes, there are issues that prevent a diploma from reaching the recipient (missing or invalid address, academic records hold, a change in honors status in the last semester, printer error, etc.), so please contact our office if you are a recent graduate with a question about the status of your diploma. Pratt will not be held responsible for any mailed diplomas that do not reach the graduate.

Contact graduation@pratt.edu to change the delivery address for your diploma. 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Island Photography is the official photographer for Pratt Commencement. Graduating students may schedule a graduation portrait appointment through the Island Photography website. Portrait appointments will be held at the Graduation Fair. 

Island Photography will take two types of photographs at the ceremony—first, a candid picture of the graduate shaking hands with President Francis Bronet, and second, a portrait of the graduate on stage. Radio City Music Hall only allows guests to take pictures from their seats. 

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES

If you or one of your invited guests requires special seating during Commencement, please contact the Learning/Access Center (located in the ISC building, first floor) at 718.802.3123 or lac@pratt.edu before April 21. Seating will be reserved for the individual and for one person serving as their assistant while your other guests will be seated in the general seating areas.  

FURTHER INFORMATION

We are currently confirming additional information for guests, faculty and students. As the semester progresses, we will continue to keep our graduating class informed, updating the Commencement page with the details and information you need. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact commence@pratt.edu

​Pratt Institute continues to be guided by its commitment to the health and safety of our community. With this priority in mind, as well as a desire to be as inclusive as possible at our Commencement ceremony, we have updated our COVID-19 policy requirements as follows.  

COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY

We will not check vaccination status upon entry to Radio City Music Hall. This is an off-campus event and COVID-19 vaccination is not required at Radio City Music Hall. Vaccination is strongly encouraged.

Please note that Awards Convocation will follow the same guidelines, for those who will attend that event. 

Health and safety policies are subject to change based on local, state, and national guidelines, or the policies of the venue. Please continue to check this page for updates.