Commencement
SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, MAY 18: YALE’S 325TH COMMENCEMENT DAY
8:00AM | Gates to Old Campus will open for guests. All guests should be seated by 10:00AM. No standing will be allowed.
9:00AM | Graduates meet and assemble at the front entrance of University Theatre (UT) 222 York Street, New Haven: We will then process together to the ceremony.
9:25AM | Class of 2026 Group Photo on front steps of University Theatre (UT)
9:30AM | Processional to Cross Campus: David Geffen School of Drama (DGSD) procession from University Theatre to Cross Campus led by Deans, Faculty Mashal, School of Drama flag bearer, faculty, student marshals, and graduates. Guests can either choose to stay at University Theatre (house opens at 9:30AM) to watch the live broadcast or make their way to Old Campus for the ceremony if they have a ticket.
10:30AM – 11:45AM | UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY / Old Campus
Phelps Hall, 344 College Street, New Haven
Tickets required / general admission / gates open at 8:00AM
University Commencement exercises begin on Old Campus. President McInnis presents symbolic diplomas and confers honorary degrees.
The Old Campus Commencement Ceremony is broadcast live on the Yale YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@yale). Old Campus Commencement is held outdoors regardless of weather.
Ceremony is only open to ticket holders, who can proceed directly to Old Campus to check-in and find seating. Each graduating student will register to receive two (2) guest tickets.
Graduates do not need tickets to attend Commencement. Graduates, along with faculty and fellows, must wear academic regalia to participate in the University Commencement procession.
11:45AM – 12:00PM | Recessional back to University Theatre: The David Geffen School of Drama procession and guests return to the University Theatre, 222 York Street. Guests and faculty proceed directly into the University Theatre and take their general admission seats. Graduates line up in the lobby of the University Theatre and wait for their entrance music cue.
12:00PM | DAVID GEFFEN SCHOOL OF DRAMA DIPLOMA CEREMONY / University Theatre, 222 York Street, New Haven
No tickets required / general admission / house opens at 9:30AM
David Geffen School of Drama's Diploma Ceremony will take place in the University Theatre with an open livestream on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/event/5825126/c3866fea02
School of Drama Deans welcome graduates and guests. Prizes are awarded and diplomas are presented.
1:00PM | BUFFET LUNCHEON / Iseman Theater, 1156 Chapel Street, New Haven
No tickets required / general admission
Celebrate with the graduates and their family and guests at a buffet luncheon in the Iseman Theater (1156 Chapel Street, New Haven)
YALE UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
The University’s Commencement website (http://commencement.yale.edu/) will contain a great deal of additional relevant information.
All University Degrees are formally conferred during the Commencement ceremony on Old Campus. During the ceremony, the Dean of Yale College and Deans of the Graduate and professional schools formally present their approved candidates to the President. The President, in turn, confers the degrees and admits new graduates to each degree’s “rights and responsibilities.” Student marshals from each residential college and school accept symbolic diplomas from the president on behalf of their colleagues. The ceremony lasts approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
Tickets are required for the University Commencement ceremony. Each graduate student will register to receive two (2) tickets prior to the ceremony. A ticket grants admissions onto Old Campus but does not guarantee a specific seat. Seating is available on a first-come, first- served basis and can't be reserved.
Access to Old Campus will be through Phelps, Chapel East, Dwight Hall, Lanman (handicapped accessible), and Cheney Ives Gates. Miller Gate and High Street Gate will be open to processing graduate and professional students only.
Please note: Guests are strongly encouraged to avoid bringing bags to all major ceremonies. All bags are subject to search at all events. Dogs are not allowed at either the University Commencement Ceremony or David Geffen School of Drama Diploma Ceremony except for service dogs.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Regalia
- All students participating in both the University ceremony and the David Geffen School of Drama diploma ceremony must wear regalia.
- Orders: Regalia is available for purchase through the Yale Hub. Click here for the cap & gown order deadlines.
- Pickup: Regalia will be available for pickup at the Payne Whitney Gym, 70 Tower Parkway, New Haven. Click here for the list of dates and times.
What to Wear and Bring
- Is there a dress code? No, but we recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Low heels or flats are appropriate for navigating the grass and mulched pathways of Old Campus.
- It can be mild and sunny or cold and rainy in Connecticut in May. Dress with an eye to the weather and comfort. The University Commencement ceremony at Old Campus is held outdoors in rain or shine.
- Rain gear, including water-impervious footwear, is important; and rain ponchos are preferred over umbrellas, so sightlines are not blocked. Sunglasses and hats may also be useful.
- Graduates will not have anywhere to store their belongings, so we recommend packing lightly and note that anything you bring you will have to carry with you to both ceremonies.