Commencement FAQ
These Frequently Asked Questions have been updated for Commencement 2009.
- » What happens in the event of rain?
- » Do family members and guests need invitations or tickets to attend Commencement?
- » How long does the Commencement ceremony last?
- » Is everyone (family members, friends, etc.) invited to attend the luncheon on Sunday, May 17?
- » Are meals and snacks available for purchase on campus during Commencement Weekend?
- » Where should guests park for Commencement Weekend activities?
- » Will there be special parking for individuals with disabilities or health concerns?
- » What time do students need to move out of their residence halls?
- » Where and how can Connecticut College Commencement invitations be purchased?
- » Where and how can Connecticut College Commencement announcements be purchased?
- » Where and how can students purchase their caps and gowns?
- » When and where does Baccalaureate take place?
- » When and how will students find out if they have been elected to Phi Beta Kappa?
- » Will there be a photographer at Commencement to take pictures of each graduating senior?
- » Is there a Commencement video that can be purchased?
- » What time should I arrive on Tempel Green for Commencement exercises on Sunday, May 17?
- » Is there a listing of area hotels to stay at as well as a listing of area restaurants?
- » Can seniors host private parties on campus with families and friends?
Q: What happens in the event of rain?
Due to the rain, Commencement exercises will take place at 11:30 a.m. today, Sunday, May 17, instead of 10 a.m. Guests should arrive no later than 10:30 a.m. The processional will begin at 11:05 a.m.
It is important to remember that we will hold the Commencement exercises outside under most circumstances. If it is raining, please bring rain gear. No tickets are needed for an outdoor ceremony. However, if the weather is deemed dangerous and severe, the ceremony will be moved indoors to Palmer Auditorium.
Due to limited seating in the auditorium, each student was eligible for two (2) severe weather tickets. Seniors must have picked up these tickets on Friday, May 15 in the College Center at Crozier-Williams between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., regardless of the weather forecast. Tickets will not be issued after 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15. Seniors who were unable to pick up their tickets themselves could have sent a friend with written permission from the absent senior.
If a family member/guest does not have a severe weather ticket, he/she will not be allowed into Palmer Auditorium.
Commencement ceremony viewing will be available via the campus televideo system in the following locations: Cummings Arts Center (John C. Evans Hall and Oliva Hall), F.W. Olin Science Center (Room 014), Blaustein Humanities Center (Ernst Common Room, Hood Dining Room and classrooms), College Center at Crozier-Williams (1962 Room and 1941 Room), and dorm living rooms.
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Q: Do family members and guests need invitations or tickets to attend Commencement?
The Connecticut College Commencement exercises are held outdoors on Tempel Green. No invitation or ticket is required for this outdoor ceremony. If Commencement must be moved indoors to Palmer Auditorium due to severe weather, guests will be required to present weather tickets. (See the question above about the Commencement severe weather plan.)
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Q: How long does the Commencement ceremony last?
Commencement generally lasts 2 hours.
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Q: Is everyone (family members, friends, etc.) invited to attend the luncheon on Sunday, May 17?
Connecticut College cordially invites all of our Commencement guests to attend the luncheon that follows the ceremonies in Harris Refectory, the main dining hall. (updated Sat., May 16)
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Q: Are meals and snacks available for purchase on campus during Commencement Weekend?
In addition to the complimentary post-Commencement luncheon in Harris Refectory on Sunday, May 17, Connecticut College Dining Services has set the following hours for other facilities:
The Oasis Snack Shop, located in the College Center at Crozier-Williams, will be open Saturday, May 16 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
On Sunday, May 17, the Oasis will be open for cash sales from 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.. The Oasis will reopen after the ceremony for cash sales from 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm.
Harris Dining Hall will be open Saturday for breakfast/lunch from 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. for dinner.
On Sunday, May 17, Harris will offer dinner from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
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Q: Where should guests park for Commencement Weekend activities?
Please be aware that parking will be tight on campus during Commencement Weekend. Guests may park on campus in the south lot, the north lot and at the Athletic Center. While parking restrictions designating spaces for faculty, staff and students will not apply on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17, guests may not park in handicapped designated spots without appropriate vehicle tags. Families are strongly encouraged to carpool from their homes or hotels to reduce the number of cars to be parked on campus.
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Q: Will there be special parking for individuals with disabilities or health concerns?
If you, or a family member, have special needs, please stop at the gatehouse upon entering campus and you will be directed to special parking. If you require a wheelchair, please call the Office of Events and Catering at 860-439-5462 by Monday, May 5.
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Q: What time do students need to move out of their residence halls?
Graduating seniors must vacate their rooms no later than 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17.
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Q: Where and how can Connecticut College Commencement invitations be purchased?
Each student will receive four (4) Commencement invitations in his/her college mailbox in April 2009. Please note that invitations are not required for the outdoor Commencement ceremony. If additional invitations are desired, they may be purchased at the Connecticut College Bookshop starting in March 2009.
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Q: Where and how can Connecticut College Commencement announcements be purchased?
Jostens, in conjunction with the Connecticut College Bookshop, will be selling announcement packages this year on their web site. For additional information please refer to http://college.jostens.com/jostens/index.jsp?affiliateId=1037097&_requestid=3109518. You may place orders directly on the Jostens Web site or by calling 800-854-7464. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Please note that Connecticut College does not determine Latin Honors until the week prior to Commencement so it is not possible to have this honor noted on announcements.
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Q: Where and how can students purchase their caps and gowns?
Caps and gowns for students graduating with a bachelor's degree will be available for purchase at the Connecticut College Bookshop beginning on April 14, 2009. There is no need to pre-order. The price for the student package consisting of gown and keeper cap with tassel is $32.00.
Master's degree students may rent academic regalia from the Bookshop effectively immediately. Rental prices for master's regalia are $22.95 robe and $22.95 for the hood. Doctoral regalia may be rented for $22.95 for a robe and $22.95 for a hood. The deadline for placing orders to guarantee on-time delivery is April 5, 2009. Orders placed after April 5 will be subject to a special shipping surcharge by the College's supplier.
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Q: When and where does Baccalaureate take place?
Baccalaureate will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. in Palmer Auditorium. This interfaith service of prayers and reflections will include readings, music, and song. No invitation or ticket is required to attend Baccalaureate. Noah Silverman '04 will deliver the Baccalaureate address.
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Q: When and how will students find out if they have been elected to Phi Beta Kappa?
Students will receive written notice of their election to Phi Beta Kappa through campus mail in April. They should read the letter of invitation very carefully, as they must affirmatively indicate their willingness to join the chapter and to participate in the initiation ceremony. The Phi Beta Kappa initiation ceremony will be conducted on Saturday morning, May 16th at 10:00 a.m. in the John C. Evans Hall of the Cummings Arts Center.
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Q: Will there be a photographer at Commencement to take pictures of each graduating senior?
- A photographer from GradTrak® Graduation Images will be at your ceremony to take a candid photograph of you at your special moment of recognition.
- You will receive a free passport-sized digital proof of this photo on an order card within 5-7 days following the ceremony.
- After the ceremony you may order online at www.gradimages.com or call 800-424-3686.
- Since photographs will be available, family members and guests are encouraged to remain in their seats, relax and enjoy the ceremony.
- To pre-register your permanent email address and receive a $5.00 coupon towards a purchase of $25.00 please visit www.gradimages.com and click on Pre-Event Registration. You may add contact information for up to 6 additional relatives and/or friends.
Q: Is there a Commencement video that can be purchased?
Again this year, Collegiate Video will provide Connecticut College graduates with a chance to revisit highlights of the Commencement exercises. Videos are available in both VHS and DVD formats. DVDs cost $75.00 and VHS tapes cost $55.00. There is a $7.00 shipping and handling charge per order. Custom-edited footage of graduates receiving their diplomas is available in both the VHS or DVD format. Additional DVDs and VHS tapes are offered for $45 and $30 respectively with purchase of the same . Ordered products will be shipped by August 31 each year.
Please note: Connecticut College receives a rebate for all orders placed prior to Commencement.
For order forms or additional information refer to the Collegiate Video Web site http://www.collegiatevideo.com/, e-mail them at info@collegiatevideo.com, or call them at 802-365-4414.
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Q: What time should I arrive on Tempel Green for Commencement exercises on Sunday, May 17?
The Commencement processional begins at 9:35 a.m. Plan to arrive at Tempel Green no later than 9:00 a.m. A luncheon will be served immediately following Commencement and will be a short walk from Tempel Green.
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Q: Is there a listing of area hotels to stay at as well as a listing of area restaurants?
View the suggested list of accommodations here, compiled for your convenience. The College neither recommends nor endorses these establishments.
Also, the Mystic Country Web site contains a complete listing of hotels and Bed and Breakfasts in our area, as well as a list of restaurants.
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Q: Can seniors host private parties on campus with families and friends?
Connecticut College recognizes the desire of its graduating seniors to celebrate with family and friends during Commencement Weekend. In order to balance this desire with the College's need to devote its resources to the "official" weekend events, a policy has being developed regarding private party requests from students. Please view the Guide for Hosting Private Parties page.
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Last Modified: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 12:00