Tips for a Wonderful Commencement 2024

May 21, 2024

Dear Guests of the Classes of 2024 and 24.5,

With Commencement Weekend nearly here, we want to share a few tips to help make this a great weekend for all.

On Commencement Sunday, June 2

The Williams Quad, our outdoor Commencement venue, will open at 8:00 a.m. The procession begins at 9:30 a.m. and the ceremony itself begins at 10:00 a.m. Please plan to occupy only six seats per graduate in the Williams Quad, and please refrain from saving seats. If additional guests plan to attend, we invite them to sit in Chapin Hall, immediately adjacent to the Williams Quad, where the ceremony will be live-streamed. This venue is air-conditioned, offers comfortable seating, and is fully accessible.

Please review accommodations for our guests with disabilities.

Comprehensive information about parking and access for visitors with disabilities can be found here. We ask that you arrive early for major weekend events–and by 8:30 a.m. Sunday for Commencement–so that we can help you from where you’ll park to where you’ll be seated.

Be prepared for all kinds of weather.

Commencement at Williams is an outdoor event unless day-of predictions for electrical storms or torrential downpours would endanger attendees. A forecast of light, even moderate, rain won’t move the ceremony indoors, so please pay close attention to the weather forecast. Bring a raincoat and umbrella or (if we end up with bright blue skies) a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle, and sunglasses, as there will be little to no shade. Again, the ceremony will be live-streamed in Chapin Hall, adjacent to the Commencement site, so you can always take a “weather break” there.

The ceremony lasts approximately two hours. The location of family seating will allow you to get up, stretch, and walk around without interrupting the proceedings. Water coolers will be stationed at convenient locations around the Commencement site, but we recommend you bring a water bottle as well. Complimentary coffee will be available at Lee Snack Bar from 7:30-10:30 a.m.

In the event of extreme or dangerous weather, we will move the Commencement ceremony to the Lansing Chapman Ice Rink. Admission will be limited to four guests per senior. (Seniors will receive tickets in their Paresky mailboxes during Senior Week, if the weather looks iffy.) The ceremony will be live-streamed into the MainStage of the ‘62 Center and will be available for viewing off campus as well.

On Class Day Saturday, June 1

No tickets are required for Ivy Exercises. The ceremony is held in the Williams Quad at 1:10pm.

Rain plans: In case of heavy rain, Ivy Exercises will be held on the MainStage of the ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance. Seating is limited. Guests are invited to view the live stream from the Weston Hall Presentation Room and the Paresky Auditorium. 

This Commencement map will help you find all rain-or-shine venues and parking places. Review the full weekend schedule here. 

Rain or shine, Commencement 2024 promises to be a wonderful event for you and your graduating Williams students. For now, we thank you for being flexible, remind you to pack some rain gear, and wish you a safe journey to Williamstown.

Sincerely,

The College Marshal’s Office

[email protected]