Reserved seating is available for graduating students, the 50-year reunion class, and guests of trustees and faculty only. All other seating is open on a first come, first served basis. Please see the seating map of the Green for details.
Using signs, tape, etc. for the purpose of "seat saving" is not permitted. We recommend that guests arrive, find a seat, and remain in their seat until the ceremony has concluded.
Top of pageThe majority of guests arrive between 7:00 am and 8:30 am. Please note: seating on the Green is not available until after 6:30 am. The Commencement procession begins at 9:30 am sharp. Since all aisles must remain clear for approximately half an hour during the procession, guests should take their seats no later than 9:15 am.
Top of pageThe majority of the Green is general seating available for family and guests. These seats do not require a ticket. However, there are sections on the Green which do require tickets. The accessible seating, blue ticket, and red ticket sections all require tickets. Please see the seating map of the Green for details.
Using signs, tape, etc. for the purpose of "seat saving" is not permitted. We recommend that guests arrive, find a seat, and remain in their seat until the ceremony has concluded.
Top of pageCommencement usually concludes between 12:30 and 1:00 pm. Note: In the case of dangerously high winds, lightning, or other severe weather, the ceremony will be delayed or possibly canceled.
Top of pageSeniors march in alphabetical order. March order lists, with the number assigned to each graduate, will be posted in Parkhurst Hall on Friday, June 11. On Commencement morning, students will march in the same order as they did in the Class Day Exercises.
At a signal from the class dean, the class marshals and the bagpiper will lead the seniors from Leede Arena to the Green. Once on the Green, the seniors will form two lines through which the Academic Procession will advance toward the platform, providing an opportunity for acknowledgment of the accomplishments of the seniors and support from faculty and administrators. The seniors and graduate and professional school students then march to their seats in the front sections.
Top of pageThere is no location beyond your own seat where guests may take photos of graduates. If you need to stand to get your shot, we ask that you do so briefly so as not to block others' view of the ceremony. Commencement guests will be prohibited from taking pictures or videotaping from locations near the platform.
Arrangements have been made for Commencement Photos, Inc. (CPI), a professional photography company, to take a picture as each graduate shakes the President's hand after receiving a diploma. Graduate and professional school students and families of undergraduates will receive an order packet from CPI with details in May.
Videotapes and DVDs of the Commencement ceremony may be purchased from Computing Services. For further information, please visit www.dartmouth.edu/~commence/media/videotapes.html, or e-mail commencement-2009-video@mac.dartmouth.edu.
Top of pageCommencement exercises will be held on the College Green, rain or shine. Please bring raincoats and umbrellas, if appropriate. In the case of dangerously high winds, lightning, or other severe weather, the ceremony will be delayed. Only in the highly unlikely event that such weather persists would the ceremony be canceled. Information about a delay or cancellation may be obtained on Commencement morning by accessing the following resources: the Commencement web site, www.dartmouth.edu/~commence/; the individual web sites of the graduate and professional schools (link to the Commencement web site home page); a recorded message at (603) 646-8181; or WFRD radio, 99.3 FM.
The web sites and phone number listed above will be updated throughout Commencement weekend with any venue changes, delays, or cancellations.
Please click here for information on diploma distribution in the case of inclement weather.
Top of pageUmbrellas are ONLY permitted when there is heavy rain. We ask that you be considerate of those sitting behind you and use an umbrella only when necessary.
Umbrellas are not permitted as sun shades. Please arrive on the Green prepared for the weather; remember your hat, sunscreen, raincoat, etc. If you would prefer to view the Commencement ceremony from an indoor location, please click here for a list of air-conditioned rooms that will be open and available for guests.
Top of pageHanover weather can vary widely from sunny and hot to cold and rainy in mid-June. Since Dartmouth's Commencement ceremony is located outdoors on the Green, please dress comfortably, keeping in mind the weather. Guests may be most comfortable in shoes with low or flat heels due to uneven ground. Please bring hats, sunscreen, raincoats, etc. as necessary.
Top of pageHearing enhancement equipment, sign language interpreters, and other accommodations for guests with disabilities are available for Commencement, but we ask that you contact us in advance to make arrangements. To request a sign language interpreter, please submit a Designated Seating Request Form no later than Friday, May 1. Guests using wheelchairs or with other mobility disabilities should submit a Designated Seating Request Form no later than Friday, May 29. If you have questions, please contact Conferences and Special Events at (603) 646-2923 or conferences.and.special.events@dartmouth.edu.
Please note: tickets are required for the accessible seating section. Additionally, due to limited space, only one guest may escort each individual sitting in the accessible seating section. Guests are also strongly encouraged to contact C&SE by May 29 to request accommodations for any other disabilities.
If you need to rent a wheelchair while visiting the Hanover area, you can contact Yankee Medical at 1-888-909-8853.
Graduating students with disabilities who are unable to participate in rehearsals, march, or climb the platform stairs should contact:
An accessible seating area is available to guests using a wheelchair or with mobility restrictions, please see the seating map of the Green for details. Due to safety regulations, wheelchairs are not allowed in the aisles or seated areas of the Green. Guests attempting to place a wheelchair in these areas will be required to move them to the exterior of the Green or utilize the accessible seating area. Please contact Conferences and Special Events by May 29 to inquire about seating arrangements (please note: tickets are required for this section). Due to limited space, only one guest may escort each individual sitting in the accessible seating section.
Top of pageDue to safety regulations, strollers are not allowed in the aisles or seated areas of the Green. Guests attempting to park strollers in these areas will be required to move them to the exterior of the Green. For your convenience, a stroller check area is available in the accessible seating section of the Green.
Top of pageCaps and gowns will be on sale for $16.40 (cash only) at Tindle Lounge, Thayer Dining Hall, from Thursday, June 11, through Saturday, June 13, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day. Graduates needing special gown sizes or custom gowns (i.e. those graduates under 4'9'' or over 7' or graduates using a wheelchair) should contact Conferences and Special Events at (603) 646-3749 or conferences.and.special.events@dartmouth.edu before April 24.
Caps and gowns are worn with appropriate attire during the Commencement ceremony on Sunday. They are not worn Saturday's Class Day.
Seniors assemble at 8:45 am in Leede Arena and must be in their assigned seats by 9:00 am. The doors will be locked at 9:00 am sharp so that diplomas may be arranged in final march order. Seniors will not be admitted to the Commencement procession after 9:00 am. Only graduating seniors are permitted in Leede Arena; family and guests should go directly to the Green.
Graduate and professional school students gather at their designated assembly sites at Sanborn Library and behind Wentworth Hall (contact your department directly for details).
Top of pageA translation of the undergraduate diplomas can be found here.
Top of pageIf you bring a pet to the Commencement ceremony, please be aware that the animal must remain on a leash at all times. Pets are not permitted in seating areas. We ask that you and your pet remain behind the general seating area.
Top of pageAfter the platform group and graduates have recessed, you may meet your graduate at the far south end of the Green near the bleachers. However, due to the large crowd at Commencement, we strongly urge families to designate a building at which to meet their graduate after the ceremony.
Top of pageThe seating areas on the Green are designated as smoke-free. Please use the area behind general seating or off the Green for smoking.
Top of pageGraduating students will receive their diploma on stage upon receiving the congratulations of the President and Deans. If it rains, or if rain is predicted, in order to preserve the diplomas students will not receive their diplomas on stage. Instead, they will pick up their diplomas at the following locations immediately following the ceremony:
Dartmouth students may purchase generic announcements at the Collis Information Desk starting March 30 through June 12 (or until they sell out). The cost is $1 each. Cash, check, DASH, or credit cards are accepted. Hours of sale are noon to midnight seven days a week.
Additionally, personalized announcements may be ordered through The Dartmouth Co-op; (603) 643-3100 or www.dartmouthcoop.com.
Top of pageYes, the ceremony may be viewed in the following air-conditioned spaces: Spaulding Auditorium*, Collis Common Ground*, L01 Carson Hall, L02 Carson Hall, 60 Carson Hall*, 28 Silsby Hall, 1 Rockefeller Hall, 2 Rockefeller Hall, 006 Kemeny Hall, 007 Kemeny Hall, and 008 Kemeny Hall. Additionally, the ceremony can be viewed anywhere on local access television (CATV 8 at the Hanover Inn & downtown establishments; CATV 2). *Notes viewing options easily accessible by those with mobility restrictions.
A live video webcast of the ceremony will be available Sunday, June 14, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. Please click here or the Dartmouth Homepage to watch. A recorded video of the ceremony will be available Tuesday, June 16 on Dartmouth's YouTube channel.
President James Wright and Susan DeBevoise Wright host a reception in the garden outside their home for all graduating students and their guests. The President's home is located on Webster Ave. In the case of rain, this event will be held in Alumni Hall, Hopkins Center.
Appropriate attire is business casual.
Top of pageImmediately following the Commencement rehearsal on Saturday morning, seniors will process to the Bema for the Class Day program (Thompson Arena in case of rain), entering the Bema at approximately 10:00 a.m. The program will include speeches by seniors and faculty, as well as an awards ceremony. Guests are invited to join the graduates at this event.
Due to the nature of the event and venue, guests are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes in which one can comfortably sit on the ground and shoes that are good for walking. For further details regarding Class Day, please click here.
Top of pageBaccalaureate is a multifaith service of thanksgiving and celebration for the completion of the undergraduate and graduate careers of Dartmouth students. The service, conducted by the Tucker Foundation, is held in Rollins Chapel. Doors open at 2:30 pm and the service begins promptly at 3:00 pm. Seating is limited; remote viewing will be available in 105 Dartmouth Hall. This event is open to the public.
Rollins Chapel is not air-conditioned; summer dress attire is recommended. A water bottle and hand-held fan may be useful.
The Graduation Gala is an evening of entertainment, dancing, and refreshments for all ages at the Collis Center. This event is open to graduating seniors and their guests. There is no charge for this event.
Appropriate attire ranges from casual to dressy (note: this is not a black tie event).
Please review the Guide to Lodging and Restaurants in the Hanover Area for a list of area hotels and B&Bs.
The College also makes available a certain number of residence hall rooms for Commencement guests. Information and an application form are sent to graduating students' families in early spring. Residence hall rooms are available for guest occupancy from 2:00 pm on Friday, June 12 through 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 14. For additional information or an online application (available early spring), please visit http://www.dartmouth.edu/~orl/housing/cr-housing/ or please call the Commencement and Reunion Housing Office at (603) 646-3288.
Please note: The Hanover Inn is not available to seniors' guests at Commencement. It is reserved for Trustees, honorary degree recipients, and the 50-year reunion class.
Top of pageThe Information Booth is located on the east side of the Green. During Commencement weekend the booth will be open from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm on Friday and Saturday and from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday. The booth will serve as a resource for Commencement weekend details.
Top of pageGuests arriving before 4:00 p.m. on Friday are requested to park in the Thompson Arena Lot on South Park Street. Advance Transit shuttle service to campus is available on a ten-minute schedule weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Guests arriving after 4:00 p.m. on Friday or any time over the weekend may use any campus parking lot, including the H, J, and Dewey Lots behind Dartmouth Medical School on the corner of Lyme Road and North Park Street, and the Thompson Arena Lot on South Park Street.
Please note: A majority of the Maynard parking lot will be closed due to Commencement Weekend activities beginning on Wednesday, June 10. Parking is not permitted in driveways or emergency access areas.
Shuttle bus service will be provided from the Dewey, Thompson, and Ledyard lots on Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The shuttle route will travel along Park Street and Wheelock Street with a stop at the corner of the Green at College and Wheelock Streets. The shuttles are not handicap accessible, however guests may be dropped off along the edge of the Green before parking. Shuttle bus map.
On Sunday, a limited number of accessible parking spaces will be available near the Green in the Visitor Lot located off North Main Street between Parkhurst and Blunt. These spaces will be open to vehicles with the proper state licenses and accessible parking permits and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. For additional information on assistance to those with mobility restrictions, please see the Accessibility Services section.
For a more detailed look at the campus, click here for a scrollable map.
Parking Options On and Off Campus
Top of pageFor a selection of dining options in the Hanover area, please see the Guide to Lodging and Restaurants. If you plan to visit a local restaurant for dinner on the Friday or Saturday before Commencement, we recommend that you make reservations early (before you come to Hanover).
The Hanover Inn offers special dining hours during Commencement weekend. Please call (603) 643-4300 for details and reservations.
Dartmouth Dining Services will be open at various times during the weekend. Please see their website for a complete, up-to-date schedule.
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