SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

SIPA Graduation 2008

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There are two ceremonies connected to your graduation from SIPA; our own graduation ceremony for graduates of the MPA, MIA, PEPM, EMPA and MPA/ESP programs, and the University Commencement where academic year 2007-08 degrees are officially conferred on graduates from all Columbia schools.  The dates and locations of the ceremonies are as follows:

SIPA Graduation
Monday, May 19, 2008, 2:00pm
(Guest seating begins at 1:00pm)

The Riverside Church
490 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10027
(Grads assemble at 1:00pm – enter at 91 Claremont Avenue)

Columbia University Commencement
Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 10:30am – 12:00pm, College Walk
SIPA graduates assemble in designated area at 9:30am

Visit the Office of Special Events Commencement webpage for more information: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ceremonies/commencement/

Reception for SIPA Grads
A reception will be held immediately following the SIPA graduation ceremony.
Location: Ancell Plaza (adjacent to the International Affairs Building on the 6th floor).

Guest Speaker
SIPA Alumnus, Steve Fainaru, 2008 Pulitzer Prize Winner, will speak at SIPA's Graduation Ceremony on Monday, May 19th, 2008.

Tickets
The Office of Student Affairs will distribute announcements and tickets for the SIPA graduation and tickets for the Columbia University Commencement.  Students will be notified by email when announcements and tickets are available in late April.  Each graduate is allowed two guests for SIPA graduation and four guests for Columbia University Commencement.  There will also be a limited number of tickets to view the SIPA ceremony via closed circuit broadcast in an adjacent room at Riverside Church.  Students who require invitation letters in order to obtain travel visas for family members should request these letters from the Student Affairs Office by filling out a “Request for Letter form.”

Cap and Gown
Attire may be purchased at Columbia University Bookstore beginning in late March.  In March the Columbia University Bookstore will hold its annual Grad Fair at the Bookstore in Lerner Hall. The Grad Fair provides the opportunity for all Degree Candidates to purchase Regalia, Announcements, Rings, and Diploma Frames - all of the items you need for Commencement. Representatives from each company will be on hand to answer all of your questions.  Master degree recipients may purchase the regalia at the fair or at any time during regular Bookstore hours. The attire is custom designed with Columbia Blue Fabric and has Columbia Crowns embroidered on the front velvet panels. These gowns are not rentals, but souvenirs, and are yours to keep.

Diplomas
Diplomas will be distributed to SIPA graduates on the fourth floor of the International Affairs Building immediately after Columbia University Commencement on Wednesday, May 21. Diplomas will then be available for pickup in the Student Affairs Office through Friday, May 23. The next week diplomas will be returned to the Registrar's Office to be mailed to graduates.

October and February Graduates
Students who graduate in October 2007 or February 2008 will be invited to participate in the May 2008 graduation ceremony.  You will be contacted by the Office of Student Affairs to confirm your participation.  October and February graduates should arrange for email forwarding so that they receive graduation communications.  Email forwarding for alumni can be arranged at http://alumni.columbia.edu/access/s2_2.html

Disability Access
Graduates and guests who require disabilities access to the Riverside Church for SIPA Graduation should send an e-mail indicating this to sipa_graduation@columbia.edu as soon as possible. Visit the University Commencement Web site for information about disability access for Commencement.

Graduation Awards and Prizes
Awards for outstanding work or service are announced at the SIPA Graduation. See details.

Questions?
If you have further questions about SIPA Graduation, please call (212-854-8690) or visit the Student Affairs Office, sixth floor, International Affairs Building.

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