Family and friends are welcome to attend the commencement ceremony
We look forward to welcoming you to campus as we celebrate the wonderful accomplishments of your student. Family and friends are welcome to attend the commencement ceremony and this special event will not require a ticket this year. Below is information to help you plan your visit including accessibility accommodations, hotels, religious offerings, dining hours, parking, and more. Please contact us with any questions we may not have addressed here. Contact us by email at commencement@wellesley.edu or phone us at 781-283-2375.
Start planning your trip to Wellesley College months in advance. Many book hotel rooms months in advance in antiicpation of graduation season.
The Office of Parent & Family Programs has reserved a room block at a group rate for the families of the Class of 2020 at several area hotels. Rooms are based on availability. Please request the Wellesley College Commencement room block.
- Make reservations at the Hampton Inn, in the nearby town of Natick.
- To make reservations at the Verve Crowne Plaza in Natick, please call 1-800-265-0330.
- There are also rooms available at Babson Executive Conference Center in Wellesley. Please contact the hotel by phone at this number (781) 239-4000, ask for the Reservation Office, and request the Wellesley College Commencement room block.
- For other local accommodations, here is a list with additional hotel options.
The Wellesley College 2020 Commencement Ceremony is taking place just after the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which falls on Thursday evening, May 28, 2020 through Saturday, May 30, 2020. Shavuot services will be held on Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30 at the following local synagogues:
Need disability-related accommodations? Students or guests needing disability accommodations during Commencement should make accommodation requests using the Disability Accommodation Requests online form by May 15, 2020.
Questions? Email accessibility@wellesley.edu or call 781-283-1300 or 781-283-2434. View map with disability access points on campus.
Manual Wheelchair for use during Commencement
Requested wheelchairs will be available on the morning of Commencement. Your family member will need to sign for the chair at pickup and return it by 3:00 p.m. To rent a wheelchair privately, you may contact Byrne Home Health Center in Natick by calling 508-655-3656.
Accessible Seating because of a mobility, hearing, seeing, or health-related disability or impairment
There is limited seating capacity in the accessible areas of the Severance Green Tent, as well as indoors at Alumnae Hall Auditorium. When registering for accommodations, please alert us if you would prefer to use one of the tickets for the main tent your student has been allotted, or if you would prefer to have seating indoors at Alumnae Hall Auditorium, which is air conditioned. We will do our best to accommodate your first choice.
Accessible Seating with Aisle Space for a guest using a wheelchair
Please make a request to ensure enough maneuvering and aisle space.
Accessible Drop-off Area
There will be a drop-off area at Commencement for guests with disabilities who request this and are being driven to the ceremony.
Accessible Parking Area
A designated parking area will be provided for guests who have mobility impairments and are driving themselves and make this request.
Transportation between Parking Area, Ceremony, and Reception with lift-equipped Van
Transportation will be available upon request to get guests with disabilities to and from parking, the ceremony, and the reception.
Interpreters, Transliterators, and Captioning for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
Requests may be made for a sign language interpreter for American Sign Language (ASL), Signed English, Cued Speech, and Video Captioning Seating.
Alternative-Format Programs for individuals who are blind or have low vision
Requests may be made for audio, large print, or Braille Commencement programs: Please make your request for a large print or Braille Commencement program early to allow for production time.
Wellesley Fresh Dining Hours for 2020 will be posted in the Spring.
2019 Hours:
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Bae Pao Lu: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Tower: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Ramadan Service 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Pomeroy: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Bates: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Emporium: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Leaky Beaker: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Bates: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Bae Pao Lu: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Tower: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM * Closed for Picnic Lunch
Ramadan Service 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Pomeroy: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Emporium: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Leaky Beaker: Closed
*Optional Picnic Lunch at Tower Courtyard. See Ticket information.
Friday, May 31, 2019
Bates: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Tower: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Pomeroy: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Collins Cafe 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM *Near ceremony venue
Emporium: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Leaky Beaker: Closed
More information about our culinary centers
Thursday
There is no shuttle service or golf cart service on Thursday. If you are attending any activities on campus, please only park in public parking areas. The Davis Garage and the Science Center Meadow may be used for all activities. Founders Lot parking will open for the public after 3:30pm.
Friday
Parking attendants will guide families to several locations around campus. Once you have arrived on campus via the Route 16 or Route 135 entrances and are on College Road, parking attendants will be available to help you find a parking space. A designated parking area will be provided for guests who require accessible parking and have the appropriate tag.
Please take note of the lot you are parked in. It is easy to forget which location you are parked in as many of the spaces are in fields.
There will be transportation, both shuttle service and golf car service, from the parking areas to the ceremony and back to the parking areas.
View the Commencement Map and print a copy to note where you have parked.
Commencement Exercises Sunday:
Tickets will not be required for the ceremony in 2020. There should be adequate seating to accommodate your guests. Additionally, there is seating available in air conditioned venues including Jewett Auditorium, Collins Cinema, and Pendleton Hall. This ceremony is also livestreamed.
Baccalaureate Saturday:
Each graduating senior will be issued one complimentary guest ticket for the Baccalaureate service at Houghton Chapel. Seating is limited in the chapel. No additional tickets may be purchased. Only seniors and guests with a ticket will be seated inside the Chapel. Additional viewing areas will be available for family members and the service will be livestreamed.
Please take into consideration the ever-changing nature of New England Weather. The Commencement ceremony under the tent on Severance Green Lawn will continue rain or shine. In the event of rain, please be prepared to wear appropriate shoes and clothing. We also recommend bringing your own reusable water bottle to help reduce the use of disposable plastic bottles and cups. This is particularly helpful in the case of a very warm day. There will be water stations set up at the ceremony.
Commencement Flowers will be set up on Severance Green on Friday morning to offer beautiful bouquets of flowers for sale. You may also pre-order flowers if you prefer. Order Flowers in advance or at the kiosk located near the ceremony.
Class Rings, Diploma Frames, Announcements are available through Herff Jones.
The Wellesley College Bookstore has wonderful gift ideas. The Bookstore Hours will be:
Friday: 9am-3pm
Saturday: 9am-3pm
Sunday: 9am-5pm
Safety and security are paramount at Commencement.
Our safety precautions are intended to ensure Commencement and related events run smoothly. We appreciate your assistance as we work to ensure that Commencement is a joyous occasion for all.
Bags, Luggage, Backpacks, and Other Large Containers
Commencement attendees are respectfully discouraged from bringing large bags, luggage, backpacks, and other large containers to any Commencement activities. Please know that all such bags and containers are subject to search. Attendees are also asked not to leave personal property unattended while attending Commencement.
In the event unattended property is discovered, it may be inspected in place, removed, and searched for ownership information by College officials. Any removed property may be recovered at the Wellesley College Police Department located in the Davis Parking Facility or you can call campus police at 781.283.2121 (extension 2121 on-campus) to inquire about removed or recovered property.
Obtaining a travel visa for family members to visit from other countries?
If you would like to invite your immediate family members to visit the United States for your graduation ceremony, they may need to apply for a B-1/B-2 tourist visa at the American Embassy in their home country. The Registrar's Office will assist you by providing the letter authenticating that your student is a graduate at the commencement ceremony. Students should visit this page and submit the Google Form to the Registrar's Office to begin the process. Questions? contact registrar@wellesley.edu
Videography
Wellesley College videotapes the full Commencement Exercises and posts this video on YouTube for students and families to enjoy.
Photography
The respective companies will contact graduating seniors directly to offer these items for sale. You are not under any obligation to purchase the photos.
Panoramic Photos of Senior Graduating Class on Severance Hill:
Panfoto, 781.788.9595, Order form
The senior class photo is scheduled to be taken on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 1:15 p.m.
Individual Photos of Graduates Receiving Diplomas:
Grad Images is the professional photographer hired for this event to capture three different photographs of each student during the conferring of degrees. These photographs will be available for students and their families to order. We encourage all students to pre-register with Grad Images in order to have viewing access to the proofs. Pre-Registration closes on commencement day. Register here
Once pre-registration closes, students and families who would like to see the proofs and haven't pre-registered should contact: Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email giservice@gradimages.net. Grad Images has a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything they may need.
Additional Photo opportunities with your student
Wellesley College Campus is alive with beautiful plantings and gorgeous outdoor settings. Throughout the Commencement activities, there will be many opportunities to take photographs. Here are some of our favorite photo opportunities:
Senior Week activities
Saturday Senior Class Photo
Saturday Procession to the Chapel for Baccalaureate
Saturday post Baccalaureate Reception
Sunday pre ceremony and post ceremony
During the commencement ceremony we recommend that families stay at their seat and snap a photo of the Jumbo Screen showing their student processing and more fun candid shots that will appear on the viewing screens in all locations.
Friday post ceremony light lunch is a beautiful setting for gathering everyone together for celebratory photos.