For the first time in the past 16 years, The New School’s university commencement ceremony will take place outside of its home borough of Manhattan.
The graduation ceremony for the class of 2017 is slated to be held at the United States Tennis Association Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens. The stadium is located roughly 40 minutes from The New School’s main Greenwich Village campus via car or public transportation. The event will also take place at an earlier time than in the past, starting at 11:30 a.m on Friday May 19th.
The university-wide ceremony has previously taken place at historic New York City venues such as Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, and most recently at the Jacob K. Javits Center.
“Javits [Center] is not currently available as it is about to undergo major renovations,” said Michelle Relyea, Vice President of Student Success. “The USTA was chosen instead as it is one of the only venues in New York City that can accommodate the large audience size for our commencement.”
Reactions to the change in venue have been mixed from seniors. “I think it’s cool, it’s a really historical place,” said Tyler Elmore, a senior in Journalism and Design. “It’s nice to be outside.”
Lang senior Shaha Al-Khamees disagrees. “Holding the commencement ceremony in a venue in Queens is pretty inconvenient, seeing as it is pretty far away from the university itself,” she said. “Also, I feel like a tennis field barely represents the university. I remember before they held the ceremony in Madison Square Garden which is a staple of NYC and it clearly represents the New School”
More information on commencement activities is available on The New School website.
Illo: Alex Gilbeaux
Taylor is a journalism + design junior from Florida.
