CEREMONY

The Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) Convocation Ceremony is Wednesday, May 14, 2008 in Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, located at 64th Street and Broadway.

The event begins at 9:30am with check in and a pre-ceremony robing reception for graduates and the platform party on the Grand Promenade. At 10:30am the house doors open for guests and at 10:45am the Convocation marshals line up the graduate and faculty processions and prepares them for the ceremonial procession in the hall at 11:00am. The procession is led by the Platform Party, with both the master's and doctoral recipients following. Once everyone is in the house, a vocal soloist will perform America the Beautiful.

The program consists of an opening welcome and remarks from Jane Tylus, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and Graduate School of Arts and Science Dean Catharine Stimpson. The ceremony is presided over by Robin Nagle, Director of the John W. Draper Interdisciplinary Master's Program in Humanities and Social Thought. The president of the GSAS Graduate Student Council, Amrita Kriplani, will also give remarks. Student and faculty awards are given by Kathleen T. Talvacchia, Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Life. The first half of the ceremony closes with the Convocation reading which is given by Faye Ginsburg, Professor of Anthropology. During the second half of the ceremony each graduate is recognized (by full name and department/program) by Associate Dean for Graduate Enrollment Services Roberta S. Popik. Each student will be hooded by a faculty member of the platform party and GSAS administration and will be personally congratulated by Dean Stimpson.

The ceremony will end around 1:00pm when Dean Stimpson gives her closing remarks and the graduates are asked to stand and be recognized as a class one final time. The recessional immediately follows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between the GSAS Convocation and the all-University Commencement?
Convocation is the school specific ceremony for the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS). At this ceremony, each degree recipient will go on the stage of Avery Fisher Hall and have his or her name, degree, and area of study announced. Each student will be hooded by a faculty member and will shake Dean Catharine R. Stimpson's hand. Approximately 400 students participate each year. The Graduate School can give each student up to 6 guest tickets for family and friends.

The all-University Commencement is on Wednesday, May 14, from 11am-1pm at Yankee Stadium. Graduates from all NYU schools and divisions participate. Individual degree candidates are not formally recognized; they are symbolically acknowledged by one student per each degree per school. All degree candidates may request up to 6 guest tickets (unreserved seating). More than 5,000 students, administrators, faculty, deans, and alumni/ae are expected to fill Yankee Stadium.

Why are Convocation and Commencement scheduled at the same time?
Please refer to Dean Stimpson's memo to all GSAS students about the All-University Commencement ceremony.

May my friends and family join the graduates for the robing reception on the Grand Promenade at 9:30am?
No, unfortunately due to limited space the reception is exclusively for graduates, faculty, deans, and the platform party. The doors for guests and family members will open at 10:30am. There are many retail and dining establishments in the Lincoln Center neighborhood and we suggest that guests explore these opportunities prior to doors' opening.

Is there an honorary or guest speaker?
This year, Faye Ginsburg, David B. Kriser Professor of Anthropology, will deliver the Convocation reading.

Past Convocation speakers include:

2007
T. James Matthews, GSAS Vice Dean and Professor, Psychology Department

2006
G. Gabrielle Starr, Associate Professor, Department of English

2005
Thomas Bender, University Professor of the Humanities, Department of History

2004
Margaret H. Wright, Silver Professor of Computer Science

2003
Debraj Ray, Silver Professor of Economics

2002
E. L. Doctorow, Glucksman Professor of American Letters, Department of English and Creative Writing Program

2001
Sylvia Molloy, Professor, Department of Spanish and Portuguese Languages & Literatures, Department of Comparative Literature

2000
Troy Duster, Professor, Department of Sociology, Institute for the History and Production of Knowledge

1999
Sharon Olds, Professor, Department of English and Creative Writing Program

1998
Galway Kinnell, Remarque Professor, Creative Writing Program

1997
Renee Blake, Assistant Professor, Department of Linguistics and Africana Studies Program

1996
Leonard Barkin, University Professor, Department of English and the Institute of Fine Arts

1995
Samuel J. Williamson, Professor, Department of Physics

Who is on the platform party?
The platform party is composed of the GSAS banner bearer, the master's class representative, the Ph.D. class representative, the President of the GSAS Graduate Student Council, deans for The Graduate School of Arts and Science and the Faculty of Arts and Science, the Convocation speaker, three faculty hooders, faculty, and GSAS Alumni/ae.

What are 'hoods', who wears them, and what role do they play during the ceremony?
The hood is one of three items that comprise your academic attire (the other two are the robe and mortarboard or tam). All certificate, master's and doctoral candidates will carry his or her hood onto the stage in Avery Fisher Hall. Once your name and department are called, you will walk to any one of the four faculty hooders and s/he will place the hood over your head and lay it on your shoulders.

All certificate and master's candidates must order complete academic attire (robe, hood, mortarboard/tam) in order to participate in Convocation.

All doctoral candidates who participate in the Convocation ceremony will receive, as a gift, a doctoral hood from the Graduate School of Arts and Science. You will be given your gift hood during the ticket distribution period. Note: You must attend Convocation in order to receive your gift hood.

What and who are the Faculty Hooders?
There are three faculty members who hood the graduates when they come on stage. They represent the 3 academic divisions of the Graduate School of Arts and Science: Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences.

This year's faculty hooders are:

Prof. Marsha J. Berger (Computer Science and Mathematics)

Prof. Deborah Landau (Creative Writing)

Prof. David Pearce (Economics)

Who are the Convocation class representatives?

Yafell Serulle
Program in Basic Medical Sciences
Ph.D. Class Representative

Gaelle El Khoury Seguias
Department of Economics
Master's Class Representative

Chandani Patel
John W. Draper Interdisciplinary Master's Program in Humanities and Social Thought
GSAS Banner Bearer

What is the processional and where will graduates be seated?
Graduates process into Avery Fisher Hall from the Robing reception on the Grand Promenade. Master's and certificates process in one line and doctorates, in another. The platform party leads the processional, followed by the doctorates, then master's. Graduates are seated in the center section of the orchestra level of Avery Fisher Hall.

How am I recognized during the hooding ceremony?
When you pick up your guest tickets you will complete a card with the following information: your name, pronunciation instructions, and the name of your department or program. This card will be given back to you upon checking in at the Robing Reception on May 14. Each graduate carries the card with her or himself during the processional and gives it to Associate Dean Roberta S. Popik when s/he goes on stage during the hooding portion of ceremony.

May graduates leave with my family and friends after they are hooded and photographed?
No. You and your family and friends are expected to remain in the hall until GSAS Dean Catharine Stimpson delivers her brief closing remarks.

What is the recessional?
The recessional occurs at the end of the program. All degree candidates and their guests are expected to remain seated until GSAS Dean Catharine Stimpson delivers her brief closing remarks. Once the recessional music begins the platform party rises, followed by all the degree candidates, and exits the stage to the Grand Promenade located in the rear of the Hall. Please tell your guests that you will meet them in either in the entry lobby downstairs or outside by the plaza fountain.

Is there a coat or bag check at Avery Fisher Hall?
Yes. Graduates and guests are encouraged to check all bags, parcels, etc. at the station located on the lobby level of the hall. For graduates this can be done prior to checking in on the Grand Promenade. You/your guests will not be charged for this service.

How many people attend Convocation?
About 275 certificate/master's and 125 doctoral candidates plus their guests attend Convocation. The grand total, which includes the platform party, is about 2,250 people.

What faculty are invited and how can they reply?
All Arts and Science Faculty (FAS) are invited by GSAS Dean Catharine R. Stimpson to attend the Convocation Ceremony.

If you're faculty and wish to process with the platform party or sit in the audience please go here to register.

My family, who are not U.S. citizens, would like to attend the Convocation (and Commencement) Ceremon(ies). What do I need to do?

Any graduating student who has family residing outside the United States should contact the NYU Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS).

Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS)
561 La Guardia Place
212-998-4720
www.nyu.edu/oiss
Walk-in hours: Monday, Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays from 11am to 3pm

At the OISS, graduates will obtain the guidelines that inform them how to structure a letter on behalf of her or his family member(s) who wish to visit, which includes stating the purpose and length of visit, as well as instructions for obtaining a certificate of enrollment that verifies that the graduate is a full-time student from the Registrar's Office. Graduates should also include a copy of Dean Stimpson's letter of invitation that can be downloaded here.

Special Needs
If you're a graduate, guest or faculty member (or if you know of someone) with special processing (walking) or seating needs, please call the GSAS Office of Academic and Student Life at 212-998-8060 or send an e-mail prior to Monday, May 5.

What about a graduate, family member or a guest in a wheelchair?
The GSAS Office of Academic and Student Life will make these arrangements. Contact the GSAS Office of Academic and Student Life at 212-998-8060 or send an e-mail prior to Monday, May 5.

Will there be services for the hearing impaired?
The NYU Henry and Lucy Moses Center for Students with Disabilities provides GSAS with interpreters who sign on the Avery Fisher Hall stage for the duration of the ceremony.

Will Convocation be photographed?
Photographers from Island Photography will be taking candid shots of degree candidates, faculty, and special guests during the robing and processional preceding the convocation. They will also take two posed photographs during the hooding portion of the ceremony. The first is taken when you shake Dean Catharine R. Stimpson's hand and the second, once you leave the stage. About two weeks after Convocation proofs will be mailed to you together with instructions for placing your order for prints. You may also order prints from Island Photo's online service.

These services are optional. Convocation will not be officially videotaped.

Will guests be permitted to take photos?
Guests are permitted to take both photographs (with flash) and videotape during the ceremony. In accordance with New York City fire regulations, graduates and guests must not block the aisles. The Convocation Staff and the Avery Fisher Hall Management appreciate your cooperation.