Undergraduate Ceremonies: Faculty and Administrator Information

You may attend one or more ceremonies as a member of the platform party or audience; each ceremony will have a reserved section for FIT faculty within the audience. 

Reserve your seat(s) for Undergraduate Commencement

The deadline to RSVP is April 30.

You may only submit the RSVP form once; however, you may make edits to your submission before the deadline by accessing the link in your confirmation email.

Each event will be approximately 90 minutes in length and will be held outdoors in the park, rain or shine.

Those who RSVP by the April 30 deadline will be added to the backstage entrance list. Venue personnel, not FIT staff, are responsible for check-in.

Please note that space is limited and each event’s capacity limit is set by the New York City Parks Department, which manages the venue. The Parks Department's limits are there for our safety and to comply with event permits. FIT must comply with the number of seats permitted on stage and within the audience seating area. If your name is not on the entrance list of those who RSVP'ed in advance, you will not be granted access to the events. No late requests. 

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Academic regalia (cap and gown) is required attire for all who plan to participate in the procession and sit on stage. 

The deadline to order regalia online has passed. 

Regalia Pickup

Regalia that was preordered for on-campus pickup will be available at the FIT Campus Store on the following days/times:  

• Wednesday, May 6: 9 am–6:30 pm 
• Thursday, May 7: 9 am–5 pm
• Monday, May 11: 9 am–5 pm
• Tuesday, May 12: 9 am–6:30 pm 
• Wednesday, May 13: 9 am–5 pm
• Thursday, May 14: 9 am–5 pm
• Friday, May 15: 9 am–3 pm

The FIT Campus Store entrance is located on the Breezeway between the Dubinsky Student Center and the Business and Liberal Arts Center.

Last-Minute Regalia Rentals

During the May 6–15 regalia pickup window for preorders at the FIT Campus Store (hours noted above), there will also be some in-person rentals for those who were unable to order before the deadline.

Please note that quantities will be limited and will be generic black regalia.

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Since access to mass transit is readily available, there will be no transportation provided by FIT.

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On commencement day, enter the park at Fifth Avenue and East 69th Street—the main entrance for the event. Proceed straight to East Drive, go across East Drive, and turn right to go up the path to the Mother Goose statue with benches encircling it. The path will lead you to Rumsey Playfield. It is approximately a four-minute walk from Fifth Avenue.

Your name must appear on the faculty entrance list for venue staff to check you in and provide you with a wristband to access the backstage area.  

Getting to Rumsey Playfield

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Each faculty member that requires assistance should email Jacqueline Espaillat-Guerrero by May 5 to be added to the accommodations list and to expedite the entrance process.

There will be two golf carts to transport persons who require assistance from the ADA/VIP entrance at Fifth Avenue and East 72nd Street directly to the backstage entrance area. The stage has a ramp that can readily accommodate a wheelchair or walker.

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For 2026, the faculty and administrators robing area will be located in the large tent backstage.

The robing tent will be outfitted with tables, chairs, and mirrors. The area will be staffed by FIT personnel during the event, so personal belongings may be left there. Restrooms are nearby.

Following the recessional, the platform party will return to the robing area.

Please note that faculty and administrators are responsible for returning rented regalia to the FIT Campus Store.

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Adjacent to the robing tent, platform party participants and event workers will be able to enjoy an indoor/outdoor lounge area with refreshments and seating.

Faculty who choose to sit in the general audience, may partake of the refreshments available in the graduate and guest celebration areas by the main gates.  

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Approximately 15 minutes before each ceremony, college staff will be directing the platform party to lineup to proceed to the stage. Each ceremony will run approximately 90 minutes in length from the start of the procession.

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The proceedings of the event are guided by a script. Scripts will be delivered ahead of time to all those with speaking or support roles.

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Programs will be available at seats on the stage. 

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