Accommodations are always limited for Commencement Weekend. Please plan ahead. Hamilton College Commencement Weekend guests may contact BTI Travel Consultants, 800-472-7447, or go to www.hamilton.edu/accommodations.
Information regarding special-order announcements is available at www.balfour.com. Prices vary. Bookstore, 315-859-4242, hambooks@hamilton.edu.
Families are encouraged to attend this multi-faith celebration, which includes remarks by a noted speaker, student readings from a variety of spiritual traditions and a performance by the College Choir. Seniors process in academic regalia.
Use of campus facilities during Commencement Weekend is restricted to College-sponsored events.
For venues for private parties refer to www.hamilton.edu/attractions or www.hamilton.edu/restaurants.
Seniors will place orders for environmentally friendly “greenweaver” academic regalia through the Bookstore during “Grad-Fair Days,” February 29 and March 1. The cost is included in the Commencement fee. Phone orders will be accepted after February 29 for students not on campus. Regalia will be available for pickup at the end of senior week. Bookstore, 315-859-4242, hambooks@hamilton.edu or www.hamilton.edu/bookstore.
The Margaret Bundy Scott Field House has a seating capacity of 5,000, or approximately nine guests per graduating senior. Tickets will not be issued. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m., and all guests are encouraged to arrive on campus no later than 9:15 a.m. to find parking and seating. Please note that ushers will not allow “early-birds” to save blocks of seats.
Balfour will be at the Bookstore to take orders for class rings during “Grad-Fair Days” on February 29 and March 1 and Commencement Weekend. Prices vary. Bookstore, 315-859-4242, hambooks@hamilton.edu or www.balfour.com.
A Commencement fee of $110 is added to the January bills for members of the senior class. This fee covers the cost of each graduate’s cap and gown, the picnic buffet for graduates and their guests on Commencement Day and incidental expenses related to the weekend.
Diploma frames from Framing Success are available at the Bookstore, 315-859-4242, hambooks@hamilton.edu or www.hamilton.edu/bookstore.
A two-DVD set of the Baccalaureate and the Commencement ceremonies will be available for $25 and should be ordered in advance. Allow 10 weeks for delivery.
In case of emergency, contact the Campus Safety Office 24 hours a day, 315-859-4000.
Local florists will be on campus the day of Commencement for flower purchases. Prices vary.
Check with Campus Safety for items lost or found during Commencement Weekend. 315-859-4141.
Cars may be parked in the Visitors Parking Lot (on College Hill Road, opposite Benedict Hall) and North Lot; next to the Elihu Root House and the Anderson-Connell Alumni Center; behind Dunham Hall; and in all parking lots on the Kirkland campus.
No cars may be parked in the Main or Western quadrangles. Cars will not be allowed into the quad rangles after Thursday evening; they will be readmitted for the removal of personal belongings from residence halls on Sunday afternoon after the Commencement ceremony.
The College does not permit public parking behind the Bristol Center, Sadove Student Center or Soper Hall of Commons. By law, parking is not permitted on Campus Road.
On Sunday morning, shuttle buses will be available from North Lot and the Kirkland campus lots for the convenience of guests.
Pets are not welcome at the ceremonies. Please do not bring your pet to any Commencement Weekend event.
During the ceremony, GradImages™ will take photos of each student receiving the diploma and cane. www.gradimages.com, 800-261-2576. Limited personal photography will be permitted from a designated area, but aisles must be kept clear.
Tickets are not required for any weekend ceremonies or meals.
Those who are unable to attend Commencement can watch a live webcast of the ceremony from any computer with Internet access. Go to www.hamilton.edu/commencement.
Limited reserved seating is available for guests with wheelchairs and special needs. A limited number of wheelchairs will be available on loan for the weekend with advance reservation. To make arrangements for wheelchairs, special seating or other special needs, please call 315-859-4529.
Hearing-assistive devices will be available on loan in the main entrance of the Field House during the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies. No advance reservation is necessary, but identification will be required. Audiovisual Services, 315-859-4120.
2012 Hamilton yearbooks will be mailed in the fall to the current address on file for each graduate. Photos from Commencement will be included in the yearbook. To update addresses, go to www.hamilton.edu/alumni.
