Dean of Students David Tinagero announced the change of the commencement date for the graduation of the university's inaugural class from May 28 to May 25. The NYU Abu Dhabi student body, as well as parents of the class of 2014, received the news by email on Dec. 4.

Tinegaro stated that the date had been changed due to the possibility that the national holiday Isra al Mir’aj, or the Prophet’s Ascension, would coincide with the commencement date. An Islamic holiday, the date of Isra al Mir’aj changes year to year according to the lunar calendar. While most calendars say Isra al Mir’aj will take place on May 27, its actual date is subject to the sighting of the moon before the holiday within a few days. This means that the initial date of commencement, May 28, might have been disrupted by the national holiday.

In his email, Tinegaro stated that the organizers of commencement decided to change the date out of respect for Muslim students and their families, as well as to ensure government representatives would be able to attend NYUAD’s first graduation.

This announcement comes almost one month after an initial email was sent to the class of 2014 and their parents on Nov. 7, informing them that commencement would take place on May 28 and advising parents to purchase flights arriving on May 24 or 25. Now, some families will have to rearrange flight plans in order to attend the ceremony.

"Quite candidly, we goofed,” said Josh Taylor, associate vice chancellor of Public Affairs and Community Relations, in an email. “We simply could not take a chance that commencement would fall on the Isra and Mi’raj holiday, which clearly would have been a possibility given the Islamic calendar. We’re sorry for the inconvenience this change has created for our community, and we are doing everything we can to assist those individuals who have been affected."

The university has committed to cover the costs incurred by the date change, including expenses for changing flights and hotel reservations. Still, some students are anxious about the date change. NYUAD Senior Tamás Aujeszky said that his parents have already booked non-changeable, non-refundable tickets.  If they are to attend the ceremony, they will have to book entirely new tickets, funded by the university.

“I think that is the only possible scenario right now,” he said.

In reference to different concerns about paying for the ticket, Taylor said, “Students shouldn't worry — the university is committed to doing what we need to do to ensure that students aren't negatively [affected] by the change in date.”

Still, for some the change is costly regardless of the reimbursement. Senior James Hunt has a twin sister who graduates from Middlebury College on May 25. Originally, his parents planned to attend both graduations; however with NYUAD’s commencement now on May 25, Hunt is unsure what will happen.

“At best my family has to split in two, and at worst [they will] not come at all,” he said.