Dear Columbia Law School Class of 2008,
 
Congratulations on your accomplishment in reaching this wonderful milestone!  The 2008 Columbia Law School graduation events include two important ceremonies. The first ceremony is the University Commencement, which will be held Wednesday, May 21st at 10:30 a.m. on the steps of Low Library. The second ceremony is the law school graduation on Thursday, May 22nd at 2:00 p.m. on the South Field of the main Columbia campus, in front of Butler Library. In addition, the Law School will be holding a reception for you and your families following the Law School graduation. 

  The 2008 Graduation Information Handbook contains important information that you will need to prepare for graduation. This includes answers to many of the questions you may have about graduation and post-graduation. Pay special attention to all of the relevant deadlines and the included forms that must be submitted to the Office of Student Services. You may find a PDF version of the Graduation Handbook here.  We also encourage you to review the information on the University Commencement web site.

The following is a checklist of deadlines you need to know:

SCHEDULE

3/25-3/27: Graduation Fair at the Bookstore, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., University Bookstore, Lerner Hall.  Cap and gown fitting/ordering and graduation vendors (rings, announcements, diploma frames, etc.)

4/4 DEADLINE:  Submit names of guests in wheelchairs and guests who require ASL interpretation, close captioning or other similar assistance, 4:15 p.m., Student Services Desk.

4/11 DEADLINE:  Cap & Gown Order Deadline, 4:15 p.m.  Orders must be completed and turned in to bookstore.  As noted above, you will not be able to order your regalia until you upload your pronunciation information.  Orders after this date WILL NOT be paid for by the Law School and students will be responsible for cost of late orders themselves, including the rental and late fee.

4/15-4/16:  Portrait shots with Chappell Studios, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Drapkin Lounge.  Students may elect to sign up online or in person to take and purchase portrait shots.

4/21:  Ticket Distribution, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., 1st floor, William & June Warren Hall.

4/22:  Ticket Distribution, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., 1st floor, William & June Warren Hall.

5/2 DEADLINE:  Absolute last day to place doctoral cap and gown order for guaranteed delivery of correct gown and hood lining colors.  As noted above, students who miss the April 11th deadline for ordering cap & gown are responsible for all costs and the additional late fee.

5/6:  Rental gown distribution to students begins (for orders placed by April 11th) and continues through graduation day.  Gowns are to be picked up at the Columbia Bookstore.

5/21:  University Commencement, 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
-Meet in Jerome Greene Lobby, 9:00 a.m.
-Move into lineup at Revson Plaza, 9:15 a.m.
-Champagne toast to follow
-Pick up diplomas in Jerome Greene Hall immediately following Commencement

5/22:  Law School Graduation on campus, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
-Line up for graduating students in Jerome Greene Hall, 12:30 p.m.
-Reception immediately following Law School Graduation on the lawn
 adjacent to the ceremony
-Class photo taken on the steps of Hamilton Hall, next to reception

5/23: DEADLINE: Last day to return rental regalia to the Columbia Bookstore.