On Thursday, May 16, 2024, we will celebrate Convocation with over 900 JD, LLM, MS, and JSD graduates in two separate ceremonies at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. It is important that you review the following instructions to understand how the day will proceed and to familiarize yourself with your role. Your cooperation will help ensure that this day is special for everyone involved.
- Registering and Guest Tickets
- Preparation and Arrival
- Hooding Ceremony
- Recessional and Attire Return
Registering and Guest Tickets
Graduating students can register to attend Convocation through Marching Order by using their NYU email. Graduates should check their NYU email for a unique link email to register. Each graduate can bring up to eight (8) guests and can select the number of tickets they need while completing the registration form. Graduates will also be able to indicate whether they or any of their guests require ADA assistance.
Guests with Limited Mobility
If your guests require limited mobility seating, please tell your guests to enter Madison Square Garden through the main entrance, where there will be a separate line for limited mobility guests. Doors will open for guests with limited mobility seating tickets one hour and 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
Guests participating in the Legacy Hooding
If you indicated that an alumni family member will be participating in the ceremony, all your guests, including the alumni hooder, should proceed to the Legacy section of the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Please note that the alumni family member who is participating in the hooding does NOT require academic attire; dress code is business casual. Further instructions will be sent to the alumni hooder(s) prior to Convocation from the Office of Stewardship.
Preparation and Arrival
- Where do I go?
Convocation will be held at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Students and guests are to enter Madison Square Garden through the main entrance, located at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, on 7th Avenue at West 32nd Street. Everyone will go through a security check and metal detector (they will inspect all bags and be wanded). - What do I do when I arrive?
Proceed to Graduate Check-In immediately upon arrival. At Check-In you will receive your name card for the announcer to read as you cross the stage to be hooded, and you will also receive a Convocation Program. - When should I be there?
JD graduates should arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. and proceed to the graduate line-up area. The doors will open at 9:30 a.m. for your guests. We encourage you to advise your guests to be seated by 10:25 a.m. The processional begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. The JD ceremony will end at approximately 1:30 p.m.
LLM/JSD graduates should arrive no later than 2:00 p.m. and proceed to the graduate line-up area. The doors will open at 2:00 p.m. for your guests. We encourage you to advise your guests to be seated by 2:55 p.m. The processional begins promptly at 3:00 p.m. The LLM/JSD ceremony will end at approximately 6:00 p.m. - What should I bring?
Just your academic attire (robe, hood, and tam). Also, please make sure that all clasps and fasteners on the inside of your hood are undone. - Should I give my guests my handbag, briefcase, coat or umbrella?
YES, do not bring any personal belongings. Please give any items to your guests before you go to the graduate line-up area. There is nowhere for you to store your belongings before or during the ceremony. You will not be permitted to store anything below your seats in the theater as you may not return to the same seat following your hooding.
Hooding Ceremony
Please be sure you have your name card and that all clasps and fasteners on your hood are undone. The tassel on your tam should be worn on the left.
- How does the Hooding Ceremony work?
When you reach the stage, you will hand your name card to the name card scanner, and your hood to a hooding marshall. You will be directed by a staff member to wait before proceeding to the Hooding Platforms. As your name is read, proceed to the front of the Hooding Platform (there will be a mark on the stage indicating where you should stand), and face the audience. The Hooder will place the hood over your head, and then you will walk to Dean McKenzie, shake hands, and continue walking to the other side of the stage to the photographer’s station (off-stage) where your photo will be taken by a professional photographer. After your photo is taken, you will be guided by staff members to return to your seating area. - What is the Legacy Hooding Ceremony?
Students with family members or spouses who graduated from NYU Law can elect to have their family members hood them on stage during a special Legacy Hooding Ceremony. When you registered for Convocation, you were asked to indicate whether you would like to have NYU Law alumni relatives participate. - After I am hooded and have my photo taken, where do I go?
You will return to the seating area where Aisle Directors will guide you to available seats. It is very possible that you will not return to the same seat. For this reason, please do not bring personal belongings with you to the ceremony. Please move purposefully and quickly. Any congestion on this end will impact other parts of the ceremony. Once seated, you will wait until the last person crosses the stage. - Can my family take photographs during the ceremony?
Yes, of course! Do keep in mind, though, that guests are not permitted to approach the stage to take photographs. It is important for guests to remain seated throughout the entire Convocation ceremony. We rely on you to convey this message to your guests. Please do not stop the flow of the ceremony to take photos; professional photographers will capture you as you naturally progress from station to station. Because seconds matter in this effort to honor everyone in a timely manner, it is important for you to keep the line moving. - Will photos be taken of me?
You will be photographed being hooded, standing with Dean McKenzie, and posing near the NYU banner.
Recessional
- Do we leave automatically after the last person has been hooded?
NO. Dean McKenzie will make brief closing remarks, and then the faculty will exit. Once the faculty depart, the music will change and the student recessional will begin. An Aisle Director will indicate when your row can stand and exit the Theater. - Where will graduates be after exiting the Theater?
You will exit through the side doors of Madison Square Garden. Please arrange to meet your family and guests outside of Madison Square Garden. Since there are many graduates, we highly recommend you coordinate a meeting point for after the ceremony has concluded. There are many landmark areas along 7th Avenue like the Chase Bank and Hotel Pennsylvania.
Convocation questions? Contact the Office of Student Affairs at (212) 998-6658 or law.studentaffairs@nyu.edu