Convocation

Convocation is the ceremony whereby you are initiated into Columbia. At this point, you have less than four years to go until Commencement!

Bollinger makes a speech. Moody-Adams makes a speech. The dean of SEAS, Feniosky Peña-Mora, makes a speech. Kevin Shollenberger makes a speech. Have fun seeing is any of them actually says "welcome" to the class. There's a procession with lots of flags. Parents succumb to heat stroke.

Convocation is not nearly as important as graduation. Some people, precociously embracing the disaffection and diffidence that is the perceived hallmark of Columbia students, don't even bother going. Still, if you're here with your parents, it serves as sort of a formal 'letting go' point for them as they leave you on your own to begin college. They'll be so proud of you!