Join us for SLU’s Commencement Ceremony, as we recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our 2025 graduates.
On this page you’ll find all of the information you need in order to participate in the upcoming ceremony. For those unable to join us in person, the ceremony will also be streamed LIVE right here on the SLU’s Commencement webpage, ensuring everyone can celebrate and experience this special occasion together.
Contact
Any questions, concerns or comments please email: commencement@slu.cuny.edu
Quick Links
Graduation Checklist and Key Dates
Please carefully review the Graduation Checklist and consult the Key Dates calendar to ensure you have all the information for participation in the Commencement Ceremony. For questions related to commencement contact commencement@slu.cuny.edu. For questions regarding graduation contact your advisor.
- Meet with your advisor to ensure graduation requirements are met.
- Apply for graduation via CUNYfirst. The deadline to apply for spring graduation is March 15th. If you have questions, please contact your advisor and the Office of the Registrar at registrar@slu.cuny.edu
- Complete the Graduation survey located in CUNYfirst on the To Do list under the Graduation Requirements section.
- Nominate Graduate Student Speaker by April 3rd
- Order your cap and gown through Jostens. Last day to order is April 6th. Graduating students who order regalia by April 6th can pick up their regalia at the Commencement Information Session in May.
- RSVP & Order Tickets for Commencement Ceremony and Commencement Information Session no later than April 25th.
- Update contact information in CUNYfirst and with the SLU Alumni Association for future alumni communications.
- Email commencement@slu.cuny.edu no later than May 2nd if you or your guest need any accommodations.
- Saturday, March 15
Deadline to apply for spring graduation - Wednesday, April 3
Graduate Student Speaker nomination deadline - Sunday, April 6th
Last day to order your cap and gown.
Graduating students who order regalia by April 6th can pick up their regalia at the Commencement Information Session in May. - Friday, April 25
Last day to RSVP & order tickets for Commencement Ceremony and Commencement Information Session - Friday, May 2nd
Last day to email commencement@slu.cuny.edu if you or your guest need any accommodations - Tuesday, May 13
Commencement Information Session; Pick up Cap & Gown, Day of Information about Ceremony, Graduation Giveaways, Graduation Cap Decoration (5:00pm-6:00pm) - Wednesday, May 14
Commencement Information Session; Pick up Cap & Gown, Day of Information about Ceremony, Graduation Giveaways, Graduation Cap Decoration (5:00pm-6:00pm) - Thursday, May 15
Commencement Information Session; Pick up Cap & Gown, Day of Information about Ceremony, Graduation Giveaways, Graduation Cap Decoration (5:00pm-6:00pm) - Wednesday, May 28th
Commencement Ceremony
Commencement Day
Arriving at the venue
Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Location: New York City Public Library – Main Branch, 476 Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018
- Graduating students must arrive by 3:00pm
- Faculty must arrive by 2:30pm
- Guests should arrive by 3:30pm
- Graduates, guests, faculty, and staff use the side entrance located at 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues
As you approach the New York City Public Library entrance, please be prepared to follow the instructions for security screening and present your ticket.
Venue visitor guidelines
The New York Public Library prohibits carts, large bags, bags on wheels, backpacks, or collections of bags that are larger than 24” x 16” x 10”. Additionally, beverages, liquids, water bottles, balloons, cake, and food are not permitted in the library. The New York Public Library reserves the right to inspect any and all packages, boxes, bags, purses, backpacks or similar items (collectively, “packages”) and the contents thereof that you and your guests bring into the library facility. Please review the New York Public Library visitor guidelines.
Accessibility
SLU is committed to ensuring that the Commencement Ceremony is accessible to everyone. Graduates and guests who need accommodations for the commencement ceremony should contact commencement@slu.cuny.edu no later than May 2nd. Learn more about the accessibility of the New York Public Library here.
Venue Directions
New York City Public Library – Main Branch
476 Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street
New York, NY 10018
Subway
- B/D/F/M/7 train to 42 Street–Bryant Park/Fifth Avenue
- 1/2/3/N/Q/R/W train to Times Square–42 Street
- 4/5/6 train to Grand Central–42 Street
Bus
M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M7, M42, and M55 buses all stop outside or near the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.
Tickets
Graduates are eligible for up to four (4) tickets for guests.* A ticket is required for all guests, except children under the age of two (2) years, if they remain on an adult’s lap. RSVP & Reserve Tickets no later than April 25th.
*Pre-college students are eligible for up to two (2) tickets for guests.
Additional tickets are not available due to venue capacity.
A digital copy/hardcopy copy of registration confirmation email or confirmation page will serve as ticket.
Ordering Graduation Regalia
All graduates who elect to march at the Commencement Ceremony must have a cap and gown. “Graduation Regalia” includes a cap, gown, and tassel. Masters’ degree students also wear a hood.
Graduation regalia and other graduation items are available for purchase online through Jostens.
SLU has a limited number of caps and gowns available for students to borrow upon request, on a first come, first served basis, email commencement@slu.cuny.edu no later than April 25th.
The last day to order graduation regalia is Sunday, April 6th.
Graduation regalia orders will be available for pick up at SLU during the Commencement Information Sessions on May 13, May 14, and May 15 (5:00pm-6:00pm).
Graduate Student Speaker Nomination
CUNY SLU invites graduating master’s students to apply to be the 2025 Graduate Student Speaker, who will represent all graduates as a distinguished member of the graduating class and deliver brief remarks during the commencement ceremony. Graduating master’s students can self-nominate or be nominated for this role. If you would like to nominate yourself or a fellow graduate, please complete the nomination form by April 3rd.
Diplomas
Diplomas are available approximately three to four months after each official graduation term. Please check the Office of the Registrar for more information.