Metropolitan Diary: On Graduation Day, Commencement or Brunch? When my daughter graduated from New York University five years ago, commencement took place in Washington Square Park. Now it's at Yankee Stadium. At 8 that morning, my husband and I found our offspring and her best friend among thousands of graduates decked out in purple caps and gowns gathering at the corner of West 4th Street and University Place. Then we went to claim seats on plastic folding chairs originally meant for kindergartners and wedged between planters. We didn't see our daughter march in, nor did we ever have a view of the stage during the multihour graduation exercises. Our daughter never witnessed the program either. She and her friend filed into the park with their schools, then continued to their favorite cafe on Avenue of the Americas. There they were treated to complimentary mimosas and a leisurely brunch in their caps and gowns. We learned of this escapade when we rendezvoused for lunch. N.Y.U. prides itself in being an integral part of New York City. My daughter carried that theme to her very last day as a student. So if you see purple-robed graduates riding the subway Wednesday morning, don't be surprised if some of them exit before the Bronx.