Guest Information

Tickets

  • Graduates will be able to register for up to five (6) guest tickets. 
  • Graduates need a ticket in order to attend.
  • Ticket registration begins on Wednesday, April 9th and concludes on Friday, April 25th.
  • If there are tickets remaining at the end of the initial ticket registration period, there will be a  lottery by ceremony. 
  • Tickets are electronic and will be sent via email immediately following ticket registration to the graduate. 
  • Guests can print tickets for scanning at the venue, or they can be scanned on a smartphone.

Mass Transit

How to Get to the United Palace Theater

We strongly suggest arriving by mass transit, taxi, or other car service as street and garage parking is limited. 

Mass Transit

Subway: A Train to 175th Street & Fort Washington Avenue, and walk 1 block east to Broadway

C Train to 168th Street & Broadway, and walk to 175th Street

1 Train to 181st Street & St. Nicholas Avenue, and walk 2 blocks west and 5 blocks south to 175th Street & Broadway, or exit train at 168th Street and walk to 175th Street

Manhattan Buses: M5 | M100 | M7 |  M4  |M3 

Bronx Buses: BX3 | BX7 | BX11 | BX13 | BX35 | BX36

New Jersey Buses: The George Washington Bridge Bus Station (3 blocks from United Palace) also has buses to and from New Jersey.

Metro North: Hudson River Line to Marble Hill, quick transfer to the Subway 1 Train at 225th Street to 181st or 168th Streets

The MTA website, mta.info, provides complete schedules and information about the most convenient ways to get to the United Palace.

Map it

TC Pop Up Shop

Located on the Mezzanine Level the Pop Up Shop has TC memorabilia available for purchase at the end of each ceremony.

Flowers

Guests may purchase flowers, commemorative T-shirts, and other small gifts on-site from our floral provider Commencement Flowers located outside of the United Palace Theater.

 

Parking Garages

Although we recommend mass transit, there are private lots nearby that are not part of United Palace. Each lot is privately owned and surge fees may be applied for special events. 

4162 Broadway & West 177th Street – ParkNSave
4172 Broadway & West 177th Street – ParkNSave
4070 Broadway Between 171st Street & 172nd Street – ParkNSave
554 W 174th Street Garage – Parking in New York
100 Haven Avenue (Entrance on Haven Avenue by 170th Street)
200 Haven Avenue – Haven Parking
284-286 Audubon Avenue – Parking lots
506 181st Street

Restaurants

Restaurants Near United Palace Theater

Malecon Restaurant | Manolo Tapas | El Conde | Nuevo Floridita | Suross |  The Porch | Geisha 

 

Restaurants Near Teachers College

Here you will find a comprehensive list of our most suggested restaurants suited for all tastes and dietary restrictions. The Office of College Events built this list in accordance to popular recommendations of both Columbia University staff and students. 

Printable Restaurant List

Hotels

Teachers College has partnered with Functions NY to assist with hotels and travel accommodations for guests. 

 

Functions Inc.
380 Lexington Avenue
4th Floor
New York, NY 10168
212-663-4718
 info@functionsny.com

 

*Be sure to mention you're referred by Teachers College to receive appropriate discounts that may be applicable.

Accessibility

Convocation General Accessibility Information

Accessible Transportation

Subway

  • A Train to 175th Street & Fort Washington Avenue, and walk 1 block east to Broadway
    • Elevator on NE corner of 177th St and Ft Washington Av.
    • Bus connections: M4, M5, M98 LTD (weekdays only), M100, Bx3, Bx7, Bx11, Bx13, Bx35, Bx36; Port Authority George Washington Bridge Bus Station.

C Train to 168th Street & Broadway, and walk to 175th Street

    • Elevator on SE corner of 168th St and St. Nicholas Ave. 
    • Bus connections: M2, M3, M4 (at Ft Washington Av), M5, M100, Bx7.
  • 1 Train to 181st Street & St. Nicholas Avenue, and walk 2 blocks west and 5 blocks south to 175th Street & Broadway, or exit train at 168th Street and walk to 175th Street
    • Not accessible 

The MTA website, MTA Accessibility Information, provides complete schedules, and accessibility information for subways, Metro North, and Buses to get to the United Palace.


Accessible Parking 

Accessible Drop-Off

Three car lengths will be available for accessible drop off Broadway and 176th street.

Accessible Entrance

The entrance is on Broadway at 175th Street (between 175th and 176th, but closer to 175th). There are no stairs at the entrance to the theater.


Wheelchairs

On Site Wheelchair Availability

Wheelchairs will be available for escort purposes from the entrance of the theater to seating. 

Theater Accessibility

There are elevators inside the theater that can take guests to the different sections of the theater. In the orchestra section, the aisles are ramps, while in the upper/lower loge and balcony sections, the aisles are stairs.


Restrooms

United Palace has accessible restrooms available. Ushers and TC staff will have information about which restrooms are accessible.


Communication Access 

Sign Language Interpretation, CART Captioning, and Assistive Listening Devices - ALDs will be provided for all ceremonies.


Large Print Programs

Programs will be available online this year. Once accessed, you should be able to adjust the size of the font from your device. 


Additional Notes

There will be ushers available at each aisle that are aware of the accessibility features of the theater. Teachers College Accessibility Staff wearing yellow Access buttons will be available to assist.

Teachers College is committed to ensuring that TC Convocation events are accessible to all guests, with Disabilities (OASID) works closely with the TC Convocation Office to coordinate all access needs.

Individuals with questions regarding accessibility are encouraged to contact OASID at:

oasid@tc.edu

(212) 678-3689

(646) 755-3144 video phone

 

You may also complete the OASID Convocation Accessibility Needs Form by Monday, March 31, 2025 to alert the office of you and/or your guests' needs.

OASID Convocation Access Form


 

International Visitors Applying for a Visitor Visa

Teachers College does not provide individual invitation letters in support of visitor visas as the U.S. State Department has advised that invitation letters have no bearing on tourist visas, specifically, 
 
"Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa."
 
TC grads will receive a formal (digital) invitation that can be shared with intended guests. The Office of College Events will provide this invitation once the Office of the Registrar has submitted the students name to us as cleared for graduation. October grads will receive the digital invitation in the fall and February and May grads will receive this digital invitation in March 2025. 
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