Frequently Asked Questions

Graduation

More details and information will 

be added to the Frequently Asked Questions site 

as final preparations are made to celebrate 

the graduating class of 2026! 

Continue to check back for updates & more information!

When will Commencement take place?
Commencement will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026, in Cooper Union’s Great Hall. Graduates will line up for the processional in the hallway of the second floor of the Foundation Building at 9:30AM. See below for information for guests at Commencement. There will be a mandatory rehearsal the morning of Wednesday, May 27th starting at 10:00AM for all graduates. 

How many guest tickets do I receive? Where do I get them?

Information regarding guest tickets for Commencement will be updated in the coming days. Please check back here for more information. 

Extra Tickets
Information regarding extra guest tickets for Commencement will be updated in the coming days. Please check back here for more information. 

How do my guests get access to the Commencement ceremony in the Great Hall?
Information regarding the guest check in process for Commencement will be shared in the coming days. Please check back for more information. 

Financial Obligations. You will not receive commencement tickets if you have any outstanding financial obligations to the school. You can find out about these in the student self-service portal under the Finance tab. If you have any obligations, please clear those up before rehearsal; you may be able to pay online. You can also contact Lisa Banfield, Senior Director of Student Financial Services office with any questions (lisa.banfield@cooper.edu) related to this. Student Affairs cannot help with outstanding financial obligations. Only the Office of Student Financial Services can help with these questions; please contact them directly.

When do I receive my diploma?

Instructions for how graduates will receive their diploma will be shared in the coming days. Please check back for more information. 

What am I prohibited from bringing into Commencement?

- Flags 
- Banners 
- Large bags
- Posters 
- Placards 
- Signs 
- Cardboard cutouts 
- Sticks  
- Poles/Rods, including selfie sticks 
- Weapons of any kind including firearms, knives, etc. 

How do I make sure I receive any important information from Cooper Union after Commencement?

All graduating students should complete the New Graduates Contact Information Form which can be found here. Bring proof that you have completed this form to the Alumni Affairs table at Commencement rehearsal in exchange for your new alumni ID and a boxed lunch.

What if I do not plan to attend commencement?
Please email Eric Conley (eric.conley@cooper.edu) to let him know you will not attend. This is particularly important so we can take you out of the processional lineup and free up your seat for someone else.

How do I order my cap and gown?

Students will be sent specific information on where and how to order their cap and gown. Students should watch their Cooper email for updates from Eric Conley / Student Affairs. For any questions, please reach out to Eric Conley (eric.conley@cooper.edu). 

What if I or my guests need disability accommodations at the ceremony?
Anyone needing accommodations due to a disability or medical condition should email disability@cooper.edu with those details. 

Is the commencement ceremony webcast?

Yes, the ceremony will be streamed on Cooper Union's YouTube channel.

How do my guests get to The Cooper Union?

You can find campus addresses and travel information here. See information about registering guests to attend the Commencement ceremony in the Great Hall. 

Where can my guests stay near The Cooper Union?

You can find a list of nearby accommodations here. Please note that graduation season is a very busy time for visitors to New York City. You are advised to reserve rooms as far in advance as possible.

Where can my guests park near The Cooper Union?

You can find a list of nearby parking here. 

How long is the Commencement ceremony?

The ceremony typically last 2.5 hours.

What happens if it rains?

The ceremony is indoors and takes place rain or shine.

Where are all the details about Commencement found online?

All the Commencement details will be on the Commencement website found here. All updates will be made on the website so please be sure to check the site for all current information related to the ceremony. 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.