We make every effort to anticipate the needs of the many guests who will gather at Williams for Commencement Weekend. We do have accessible seating available for guests who need it. We ask that you arrive early to the events below–and by 8:30 for Commencement–so that we can help you from where you’ll park to where you’ll be seated. If you do not find the information you need below, we encourage you to contact us. Printed maps and additional information will be available at Commencement Central in Paresky Student Center from 10 am – 6 pm on the Friday and Saturday of Commencement Weekend. We cannot provide wheelchairs. Please contact Surgimed (413) 663-8655 if you need such services.
Accessibility Information for Specific Commencement Weekend Events
Phi Beta Kappa Induction, Sigma Xi Induction, Senior Athlete Recognition Reception – Saturday @ 8:30 a.m -11:30 a.m – ’62 Center
We recommend all guests with mobility issues (and those driving guests) park on the top deck of the Parking Garage behind the ’62 Center. Golf carts will be available to transport guests to the ceremony site and back to the lot. If you enter from Route 2 onto Adams Memorial Theatre Drive, you can also drop off at the ’62 Center‘s main entrance and then proceed to the Parking Garage.
Ivy Exercises – Saturday @ 1:10 pm – Williams Quad
We will have a limited number of golf carts this year. If you are transporting someone with mobility challenges, we ask that you drop them off by Hopkins Hall and park your car in the lot behind Thompson Chapel. We will have Rangers on hand, ready to assist folks in getting to the site. Handicap drivers can park in the lower Chapel Lot; we will have golf carts ready to assist in getting to the site.
Baccalaureate – Saturday @ 5:00 pm – Chapin Hall (tickets required)
We recommend all guests with tickets (and those driving guests) with mobility issues park in the Chapin Hall Parking lot. If necessary, guests can also park in the Lower Chapel Lot. Golf carts will be available to transport guests to Chapin Hall and back to the lot.
Baccalaureate Simulcast – Saturday @ 5:00 pm – Brooks-Rogers (no tickets required)
We recommend all guests with tickets (and those driving guests) with mobility issues park in the Chapin Hall Parking lot. If necessary, guests can also park in the Lower Chapel Lot. Golf carts will be available to transport guests to Brooks-Rogers and back to the lot.
Commencement – Sunday @ 10:00am – Williams Quad
Parking: We will have a limited number of golf carts this year. If you are transporting someone with mobility challenges, we ask that you drop them off by Hopkins Hall and park your car in the lot behind Thompson Chapel. We will have Rangers on hand, ready to assist folks in getting to the site. Handicap drivers can park in the lower Chapel Lot; we will have golf carts ready to assist in getting to the site. Please plan to arrive by 8:30 am. If that lot fills up, please park in the lot behind nearby Thompson Hall. The demand for transport will likely be higher right after 9:00 am, so please plan to arrive early to assure you will be seated before the ceremony begins.
Seating: Seating for those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility will be located in a clearly marked section. We welcome one family member to accompany their guest(s) in this section; we ask that the rest of your group sit in adjacent bleachers to ensure enough seats for those who need them.
In the event of an Indoor Commencement or Ivy Exercises:
In the event we are forced inside due to dangerous weather, the Commencement ceremony will take place in Chapin Hall. Only seniors, masters students, faculty and the stage party will be seated in the hall. We will stream the ceremony to multiple venues across campus. Families are also welcome to view the stream from the comfort of their homes or hotels.
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