For parents and families
Here are some important details for the big weekend. Please take careful note of these, and share them with other members of your family who plan to be with us for the festivities.
Congratulations on arriving at this important milestone in the life of your family.
CONTENTS
Commencement details
Commencement luncheon
Weekend activities for graduates and families
Parking and shuttle buses
Special needs
Hospitality on Saturday morning
Graduation photographs
Graduation press releases
Moving out
Weekend dining
For further information
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY ... open seating; no tickets required!
Saturday, May 17, 2008, 10 a.m.
You may bring as many family members and guests as you like to Commencement - no tickets are required and the ceremony is held outdoors in the Dimple with unlimited seating. The Commencement exercises officially begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 17. However, we urge you to arrive early to stake out your preferred seating with good sight lines and photo opportunities of your graduate.
COMMENCEMENT IS OUTDOORS ... so plan accordingly!
We hardy New Englanders are committed to remaining outside for the ceremony if at all possible. Please wear or bring appropriate layers of clothing, particularly for those in your family who may be elderly or very young. In the event of extreme weather conditions, we will relocate to the Beard Field House in the Haas Athletic Center, which also has (virtually) unlimited seating and requires no tickets.
COMMENCEMENT LUNCHEON
At noon, immediately following Commencement, there is an all-college luncheon on the Chapel field. Some families choose to participate in this luncheon (for which your graduate will need to purchase tickets in advance) while others bring a picnic lunch and gather informally about the campus.
(Later in the semester, your graduate will receive information regarding the purchase of tickets for the Friday dinner and the Saturday luncheon. Should you wish additional information about this, please call the Aramark Food Service Office at 508-286-8209.)
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES
The weekend festivities begin Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. with a President's Reception honoring members of the graduating class and their guests. Dinner is available for all guests on Friday evening as well, provided your graduate purchases tickets from Aramark/Dining Services in advance.
There are a variety of events on campus Friday afternoon and evening specifically for parents and families including an exhibit of work by senior studio art majors, a performance by senior theatre majors, a concert by the student a cappella groups and the traditional candle-floating ceremony on Peacock Pond immediately following the seniors-only "sentimental night" celebration in the Chapel. Please consider joining us for the day on Friday.
For a complete schedule of programs for Parents and Families, please follow the links below:
Friday
Saturday
SATURDAY PARKING . . . and other important transportation details
Campus parking is always tight on this big weekend. Overflow parking will be available at off-campus parking lots when space on the campus is filled. Campus parking will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Traffic will be heavy and we urge you to arrive on campus as early as possible on Saturday morning. Signs will be posted, and the Norton Police and Wheaton Public Safety officers will be on hand to direct you. Shuttle buses will run regularly beginning at 8:30 a.m. through 3 p.m. to and from these overflow lots. These shuttle buses will drop off passengers at the Nursery School/Clark Center parking lot, which is just a short walk across the street from the Commencement ceremony in the Dimple. The shuttle buses will pick up passengers from this same location.
Those wishing to drop off elderly persons or small children should do so by entering Howard Street from Route 123. A Public Safety officer will direct you to a location where you may drop off those who cannot walk from the regular parking lots. You will, however, need to park your car following this drop off as handicap parking is at a premium and taken on a first-come, first-served basis, so allow plenty of time.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
For those in need of special accommodations--such as wheelchairs or special/handicapped seating at Commencement--please call the Dean of Students Office (508-286-8218) no later than April 15. This will enable us to provide necessary equipment and services. Please note that seating space in these areas is limited to the disabled individual and a maximum of two family members. Additional family members can be accommodated in the general seating area. Please note--if you need an interpreter for deaf or hearing impaired family members, contact the Dean of Students Office immediately.
HOSPITALITY ON SATURDAY MORNING
On Saturday morning, Commencement Day, there will be a hospitality center located in the Balfour-Hood Center Café. Coffee and beverages will be available for purchase for those who arrive early and wish to visit with graduates, friends and family members before the ceremony begins.
GRADUATION PHOTOS
A photographer from Chappell Studios will take individual photos of graduates as they cross the Commencement platform, and students will receive a free, passport-sized digital proof on an order card at their home address within five to seven days after the ceremony. Information about ordering additional photos will be shared with your graduate in advance of Commencement.
GRADUATION PRESS RELEASES
Please remind your graduating senior to confirm their correct local newspaper information via the WINDOW (Wheaton Information Delivered Over the Web) before May 17. Per federal law, only your graduate can authorize the release of this information (reminders and instructions will be sent via e-mail to all seniors). Should you have questions about graduation press releases, we suggest you send an e-mail to: hometownnews@wheatoncollege.edu.
MOVING OUT DAY
Finally, the most strenuous and uncomfortable part of the weekend--students must move out of their residence halls and houses by late Saturday afternoon. Seniors who live in the New England area generally cope with their final departure by starting to move things home in the final weeks of the semester. Of course we don't expect those living at a greater distance to do this, but we do encourage students to pack during Senior Week, prior to Commencement, so they are ready to move by Commencement Day. In order to avoid the last-minute hassle of packing at the end of this joyous weekend, please remind your graduate that you don't want to begin the packing process after graduation!
Weekend dining
Your son or daughter will receive information regarding the purchase of tickets for the Friday dinner and the Saturday luncheon. For additional information, please call Aramark Food Service Office at 508-286-8209.
For further information
General inquiries
Dean of Students Office: 508-286-8218
Office of Alumnae/i Relations & Annual Giving: 508-286-8207
Dining questions
Aramark Food Service: 508-286-8209
