The Office of Multicultural Affairs works in conjunction with a range of student
organizations and administrative colleagues to organize multicultural graduation ceremonies that celebrate the accomplishments of students that have engaged in many areas of diversity at Columbia University.
Lavender Graduation
Lavender Graduation is a cultural ceremony that celebrates our graduating LGBTQ and allied students. First started at the University of Michigan in 1995, the ceremony is now conducted at hundreds of universities nationwide including Princeton, Duke, MIT and NYU. The color lavender, adopted by the gay movement in the 1960's, is the main color of Sayville (Gayville), NY. Sayville is near Fire Island where the veterans of Stonewall hung out. This history of New York is honored during the ceremony as our graduates prepare to make history of their own.
Latino(a) Graduation
Latino(a) Graduation has a long standing history within the university and is a celebration of the accomplishments of CC/SEAS and Barnard Latino graduates. Latino Graduation was first initiated by students who wanted the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and recognize the important role that Latino students have played in shaping the landscape of Columbia. Latino Graduation is co-sponsored by The CC/SEAS Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Latino Alumni Association of Columbia University, University Development and Alumni Relations, the Barnard College Activities Office and the Latino Graduation Committee. This Rites of Passage ceremony provides an intimate setting for family, friends, alumni, faculty, staff, and students to recognize the accomplishments of the graduates while embracing their new important roles as Columbia and Barnard alumni.
Black Graduation
This ceremony serves as an intimate gathering for family, friends, and members of the black Columbia community to celebrate the culture and accomplishments of the graduating class.
Asian Graduation
The Asian Graduation Reception is an annual celebration recognizing the achievements of our graduating Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American communities on campus. In collaboration with the Columbia Alumni Association and the Asian Columbia Alumni Association, we honor the legacies of heritages and histories, the voices that have individually and collectively impacted the University, and the invaluable network of shared strength and support among fellow Columbians – past and present.
As they prepare for commencement, graduating students are presented at the reception with a gift to wish them continued success in their future endeavors.
OMA Community Graduation
The OMA Community Graduation is an annual celebration that brings together the entire campus community to celebrate the achievements of all graduating students who have shared in the OMA’s mission of promoting diversity on campus, working toward social justice, honoring our different and intersecting legacies of struggle and survival, and building meaningful coalitions across different identities.
Recognizing their continued commitment to diversity and social justice beyond commencement, each graduate that attends receives a symbolic gift to wear at their various graduation functions. Collectively, the honorees display to the Columbia community and guests the strong foundation of allies that they have helped to build at the University and the coalition amongst each other that will continue outside of campus.