Commencement Frequently Asked Questions

Graduation

Continue to check back for updates 

on the Frequently Asked Questions site 

as final preparations are made to celebrate 

the graduating class of 2026!

If you have further questions about commencement, you can email us at commencement@cooper.edu.

Commencement Ceremony

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 on Wednesday, May 27th starting at 10:00AM for all graduates. 

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. In the event of rain, indoor locations will be announced for festivities following the official ceremony. 

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 posted on the website, so please be sure to check the site for the latest information related to the ceremony. 

Professional Photographer 

 

We have engaged a professional photographer for your big day. Every graduate will be photographed 2-3 times as they cross the stage and return to their seat. To ensure you (the student) receive your free commencement day proofs quickly and accurately, please complete the Selfie Check-In found here BEFORE the ceremony date (May 28th). You can also add family and friends to receive free proofs. It’s fast, easy, and makes sense! 

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?


Cap and gown orders have now closed. If you did not order, please reach out to Eric Conley (eric.conley@cooper.edu). 

Is the commencement ceremony webcast?



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

Guest Tickets, Extra Tickets, and Disability Accommodations

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


Each student may have up to 3 guests attend the ceremony. Guests must be registered in advance using the online registration system found here. Guests must be registered through this system NO LATER than 12:00PM (noon) on Monday, May 18, 2026. 

Extra Tickets

If you have more than 3 guests whom you would like to attend Commencement, you have two options for getting extra tickets:  

  • Option 1: If you have a friend who is signed up to attend Commencement but who is not planning to use all of their allocated 3 tickets, your friend may register your guest for you as one of their three.  This method guarantees that they will have a ticket to attend.  
  • Option 2: You may request extra graduation tickets via this form by 5pm on Tuesday, May 19.  This method does not guarantee extra tickets as it is dependent on what remains after the initial registration deadline closes. If any tickets remain, they will be allocated using this form.
How do my guests get access to the Commencement ceremony in the Great Hall?

Additional information regarding check-in for all pre-registered guests will be sent with your ticket confirmation.

What if my guests or I need disability accommodations at the ceremony?

Anyone needing accommodations due to a disability or medical condition should email disability@cooper.edu with those details

Diplomas, Alumni Info & Staying Connected

When do I receive my diploma?


Diplomas for the class of 2026 will be distributed in-person in the library following the ceremony. Graduates not attending commencement who have not made an alternate arrangement with the Registrar’s office will receive their diplomas by mail based on the address in their student portal. Please ensure your address is correct.

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, 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.

Alumni Reception - Immediately Following Commencement

Immediately following the commencement ceremony, join classmates, alumni, families, and members of the Cooper Union in the Cooper Triangle Park (in front of the Foundation Building) to celebrate the day! 

Prohibited Items During Commencement

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. 

Guests

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 Cooper?


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 Cooper?


You can find a list of nearby parking here. 

Commencement Gown Return 

When and How Do I Return My Gown?

Students should return their commencement gown and hood as soon as possible (sometime on Thursday, May 28th). Students MUST return their gown and hood (the part that goes around the neck and hangs down the back) to one of the designated drop off locations (see below). Students MAY keep their cap and tassel. Drop off locations (look for the signs and large red carts):

  • 41 Cooper Square Main Entrance
  • Foundation Building Main Entrance (7 East 7th St)
  • Residence Hall Main Entrance (29 3rd Ave)

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 (including overdue books/laptops that need to be returned to the library), please clear those up before rehearsal; you may be able to pay online. You can also contact Emmanuel Kobi, Director of Student Financial Services, with any questions (emmanuel.kobi@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.

Questions, Comments, Concerns:

If you have further questions, comments, or concerns about commencement, you can email us at commencement@cooper.edu.

  • 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.