Commencement Weekend Information

• Seniors must be certified by the registrar as having passed all the academic requirements for the A.B.

• All bills must be paid (or arrangements made to do so to the satisfaction of the controller).

Accommodations

Accommodations are always limited for Commencement Weekend. Please plan ahead. Hamilton College Commencement Weekend guests may contact BTI Travel Consultants for assistance (1-800-472-7447). A limited number a rooms in private homes may also be available through the ABC Program. Contact Phyllis Moore at 315-853-5881.

Announcements

Information regarding special-order announcements will be mailed from the College Store in February and will also be available at the "Grad-Fair Days" on March 5 and 6 at the College Store. Prices will vary depending on the package. Generic announcements will also be available (315-859-4242, hambooks@hamilton.edu).

Baccalaureate Service

Seniors and their families are encouraged to attend this non-denominational celebration (Chaplaincy: 315-859-4130).

Campus Facilities Use

Caps and Gowns (Academic Regalia)

Seniors will place orders for academic regalia (caps, gowns and hoods) through the bookstore during "Grad-Fair Days," March 5 and 6. The cost is included in the Commencement Fee. Phone orders will be accepted after March 4 for students not on campus. Regalia will be available for pick-up during senior week (College Store: 315-859-4242, hambooks@hamilton.edu).

Ceremony Seating

Because of New York State fire safety mandates, a maximum of 4,900 guests, or approximately nine guests per graduating senior, will be allowed into the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House. Tickets will not be issued, so please be mindful of your guest list. Doors will open for seating at 8:30 am, and we encourage all to arrive on campus no later than 9:15 am to find parking and seating. Should capacity be reached, guests may watch the ceremony from any television on campus on the College's closed-circuit station.

Class Rings

Balfour will be at the College Store to take orders for class rings during "Grad-Fair Days" on March 5 and 6 and Commencement Weekend. Prices vary (College Store: 315-859-4242, Balfour).

Closed-Circuit Broadcast

The Commencement ceremony will be broadcast live through the College's closed-circuit system and can be viewed from any television on campus.

Commencement Fee

A Commencement fee of $80 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

Diploma frames from Framing Success will be available at the College Store (College Store: 315-859-4242, hambooks@hamilton.edu).

DVD Recordings

A 2-DVD set of the Baccalaureate and the Commencement ceremonies will be available for $20 and should be ordered in advance by filling out the order card and returning it with your payment. Before reproduction, the recording is carefully edited to ensure a quality product. DVDs are reproduced in the "Region Zero" format which can be played on most DVD players worldwide. Allow 10 weeks for delivery.

Parking

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 quadrangles 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 parking behind the Bristol Center or Soper Commons Dining Hall. 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

Pets are not welcome at the ceremonies. Please do not bring your pet to either Baccalaureate or Commencement.

Professional Photography

Hamilton College contracts with a professional service to photograph each graduate receiving the diploma from the president. Chappell Graduation Images will mail individual proofs shortly after May 21, but there is no obligation. Questions should be directed to Chappell's Customer Service (1-800-424-3686 or www.chappell.com).

Tickets

Tickets are NOT required for any weekend ceremonies or meals.

Webcast

The Commencement ceremony will be broadcast live on Hamilton's Web site. The broadcast will begin at 9:00 am and will show pre-Commencement activities before the ceremony begins at 10:00 am. A broadband connection is required to view the Webcast.  To view the ceremony, visit the Commencement Webcast page.

Wheelchair and Special Assistance

Limited reserved seating is available for guests with wheelchairs and special needs. Arrangements must be made through Events Coordinator Sue Campanie in the Office of the President by May 15. A limited number of wheelchairs will be available on loan (315-859-4106 or scampani@hamilton.edu).

Hearing assisted 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).

Yearbooks

In the fall of 2008 yearbooks will be mailed to the current address on file for each graduate and will include pictures of Commencement.