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. (The venue opens for seating at 8a.m.) 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
Accessible parking spaces indicated below can be found on this Commencement map.
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. If you enter from Route 2 onto Adams Memorial Theatre Drive, you can drop off at the ’62 Center’s front entrance and then proceed to the Parking Garage.
Ivy Exercises – Saturday @ 1:10 pm – Williams Quad
Limited mobility drivers can park in the lower Chapel Lot. If you are transporting someone with mobility challenges, we ask that you drop them off by Hopkins Hall and then park your car in the Chapel Lot. Rangers will be on hand at both locations to direct you to accessible seating.
The rain location for Ivy Exercises is the ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance. There is accessible parking on the top deck of the Parking Garage. If you enter from Route 2 onto Adams Memorial Theatre Drive, you can drop off at the ’62 Center’s front entrance and then proceed to the Parking Garage.
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 lot directly behind Chapin Hall If necessary, guests can also park in the Lower Chapel Lot, where Rangers will direct you to the venue.
Baccalaureate Simulcast – Saturday @ 5:00 pm – Brooks-Rogers and Presser Choral Hall (no tickets required)
We recommend all guests with mobility issues park in the lot directly behind Chapin Hall If necessary, guests can also park in the Lower Chapel Lot, where Rangers will direct you to Brooks-Rogers and Presser. Both are located in the Bernhard Music Center, adjacent to Chapin Hall.
Commencement – Sunday @ 10:00am – Williams Quad
Parking: Disabled drivers can park in the lower Chapel Lot. If you are transporting someone with mobility challenges, we ask that you drop them off by Hopkins Hall and then park your car in the Chapel Lot. Rangers will be on hand at both locations to direct you to accessible seating. Please plan to arrive by 8:30 am to assure you will be seated before the ceremony begins. The venue opens for seating at 8 a.m. If you plan to attend the post-Commencement picnic on Chapin Lawn, your driver can pick you up between the Frosh Quad and Chapin Hall.
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.
Note: Commencement will be outdoors even if there is light to moderate rain. A live stream will be available in Chapin Hall if you prefer to view the ceremony indoors. No tickets required.
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 live-stream the ceremony to multiple venues across campus. Those needing assistance accessing a livestream venue should proceed to The ’62 Center and park on the top deck of the Parking Garage. If you enter from Route 2 onto Adams Memorial Theatre Drive, you can drop off at the ’62 Center ’s front entrance and then proceed to the Parking Garage. Families are also welcome to view the livestream on mobile devices from the comfort of their homes or hotels. The livestream will be available on the Commencement website that day. A recording will be available on that site after the event as well.
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