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Everything You've Always Wanted to Know about Commencement*
*But Weren't Sure Whom to Ask
It's never too early to start planning for Commencement. Even if your student is still a sophomore or a first-year, you probably have questions: from where to stay to what time your student needs to be in line for the parade up Wheelock Street and across the Green. Herewith the answers, including some to questions you may not have thought of.
Traditionally, Commencement is on the second Sunday in June, rain or shine. If that ever changes, the registrar's office will let everyone know well in advance.
In May of your student's junior year, check your mail for detailed Commencement information packets. These include information on local hotels (PDF), giving you a thirteen-month jump on booking a room (hint, hint). Of course, some hotels only take reservations twelve months out, so you may have to wait a bit.
Sorry, the Hanover Inn is already booked. Perpetually. It's reserved for trustees, honorary degree recipients, and the 50-year reunion class. But if you want to stay on-campus and don't require all the amenities found in a hotel, College residence halls are a popular option. Applications are sent out the March prior to Commencement, or you can find information and an on-line application here.
Sure, a parking garage on the edge of the Green would be convenient. But it would be ugly, too. So, there are shuttle buses from large lots on the edge of campus such as Thompson Arena on South Park Street and the Dewey Field lot at College and Dewey Field Streets. Dartmouth's website offers more information on parking and a detailed map of campus.
Commencement morning, activities begin at 8:55 a.m. with the Class of 1879 Trumpeters sounding forth from Baker Tower. At 9:05, you'll hear the pealing of the Baker Tower Bells . At 9:30, the Academic Procession heads west on Wheelock Street, then north across the Green. At 10:00, the Commencement Ceremony begins. It usually ends between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m., depending on the weather and how long the speakers speak.
During the ceremony, students will be sitting in the four reserved sections immediately in front of the stage. Following rehearsal the day before, your student will have a pretty good idea which section he or she will be sitting in.
The best way to save a good seat at Commencement is to be sitting in it. College staff sets up ten thousand chairs on the Green between Wednesday and early Sunday morning; almost immediately they begin removing hand-written "reserved" signs placed by family and guests who've snuck onto the Green in the night. Seating is first come, first served, with priority given to those actually in the seat.
The good news is, there are unlimited great places to watch Commencement. Special areas are reserved for those in wheelchairs or who are sensitive to the weather. If it's too hot, unseasonably cold, miserably wet, or excessively dry, you can watch the events from a classroom or the comfort of your hotel room—just make sure your hotel offers community access television (CATV). If you do come to the Green, we'll have 700 gallons of fresh water, 13,000 programs, and dozens of staff and volunteers on hand to make the event as comfortable as possible for you. And you can bring a blanket or a folding chair to stretch out on.
More good news: you can get photos of your student shaking President Wright's hand on stage. The bad news is, you can't take them. In order that everyone (in particular, those behind you) may see the ceremony, scrupulously polite ushers will gently but promptly ask you to sit down if you stand up to take pictures. So save your memory card for moments with family and friends after Commencement. You'll receive an order form in May from the professional photographer with whom the College has made arrangements.
Every restaurant in town is crowded Commencement weekend. Commencement veterans joke that the closest uncrowded restaurant that weekend is in Boston... unless the Red Sox are playing. Seriously, if a local restaurant (here's a list from the Hanover Chamber of Commerce) takes reservations, you should make them. Otherwise take your chances: newer, less well-known restaurants on the edge of town have reported being able to seat the unreserved. Deploy your charm.
Vendors are prohibited from the Green on Sunday, but you can still get sandwiches to go, flowers, and balloons. Once again, our friends at the Hanover Chamber are the go-to folks for up-to-date information on businesses. But it's always a good idea to order early; as many as 20,000 guests are in town Commencement Weekend—nearly twice the population of Hanover.
Need more information? Check the Commencement website. If you're already on campus, stop by the Information kiosk on the east side of the Green, across from Dartmouth Hall. They answer hundreds of inquiries every Commencement Weekend; they'll be happy to answer yours.
Congratulations!