On May 16 and 17, Columbia’s newest group of graduates will walk across the UIC Pavilion Stage for this year’s commencement ceremonies.

More than 2,100 students are set to graduate, and organizers are expecting a large crowd at the unticketed event.

“We don’t ticket the commencement ceremony,” said Mark Kelly, vice president of Student Affairs. “We want students to be able to invite and bring whomever they want there, whether that is two people or 20.”

Because of the large number of students, there will be three separate graduation ceremonies taking place on May 16 and 17. Art and design, interdisciplinary studies, educational studies and photography majors’ ceremonies will take place on May 16 at 1:30 p.m. On May 17, arts, entertainment and media management; creative writing; and journalism majors will take the stage at 10 a.m. The third and final ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. on May 17 and include dance/movement therapy and counseling;

film and video; and music majors. About 800 students will march at each ceremony.

“Breaking the ceremonies into smaller groups makes commencement more manageable and personal for the students,” Kelly said.

Seating is informal and first come, first serve. The ceremony has no dress code, and Kelly said he is expecting a business casual crowd.

“We don’t want to enforce a dress code, but it’s a really important day for our students, so we expect everyone to look nice,” Kelly said.

Students and faculty will march in graduation gowns. Graduate students will wear silver robes and undergraduate students will wear black robes. Graduating seniors can pick up their caps and gowns in the Residence Center, 731 S. Plymouth Court, on May 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Prior to the commencement ceremony, the Music Department will host a pre-show, set to start 45 minutes before each procession.

“We’re urging family and friends to get there early and take in the pre-show,” Kelly said. “It’s almost like an extension of Manifest. There will be four stages and what the Music Department has planned is absolutely fantastic.”

Three speakers are set to appear at each ceremony, including renowned choreographer and dancer Trisha Brown, Fluxus artist Alison Knowles and legendary sci-fi author Ray Bradbury.

After being contracted for the event, Bradbury was informed by doctors that he would not be able to appear in person due to his health. His speech has been pre-recorded and will be shown at all three ceremonies.

“It is unfortunate he cannot come, but I don’t think it will take away from the ceremony,” Kelly said.

Also, many colleges are choosing to refrain from handshaking during commencement due to swine flu precautions. Columbia has yet to determine if President Warrick L. Carter will be shaking students’ hands on stage.

“A week ago, we would’ve said no way, but we’re waiting to see how the situation continues to play out,” Kelly said. “We’re being advised by the best health care professionals and we will make a decision closer to commencement.”

Most college graduates march to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” but Columbia grads will be marching to a very different beat.

“We march to a jazzed up version of the hip-hop version of the rock version of ‘Walk This Way’ by Aerosmith,” Kelly said. “It’s a very exciting moment. It’s a very serious ceremony, but the march captures Columbia’s creative energy.”

For more details about Commencement, visit Colum.edu/Commencement.