Commencement Information for Family and Friends

Seating

Tickets are not required.  Guests are welcome to arrive as early as needed to secure seating.  Seats may not be saved; items left on chairs to reserve them will be removed. 

Livestream and Video

Commencement will be livestreamed on YouTube. A full video will be posted on Hampshire's YouTube channel.

Accessibility Accommodations

Accommodations for students and guests with disabilities and special needs:  If you did not request accommodations when you registered, please request them on our accessibility request form. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact Assistant Director of Accessibility Teal Van Dyck at tvdDO@hampshire.edu. 

Accessible Check-In Site

There will be a tent located off of the Library Parking lot staffed by College staff and volunteers where guests who need accessibility services can check in on the day of the ceremony. This site will be staffed from 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Parking

All Hampshire College parking lots have designated accessible parking spaces. In addition, the Harold Johnson Library parking lot has been designated as accessible parking for the commencement ceremonies. Additional parking has also been designated on the Greenwich lawn across from the R.W. Kern Center.

Wheelchair Availability

We will have a limited number of wheelchairs available on-site on the day of commencement that can be checked out and returned to the accessibility check-in tent at the Harold Johnson Library Parking Lot. Wheelchairs can also be rented at Hometown Healthcare Store located in Northampton by contacting (413) 320-4665. 

Ceremony Seating

The Commencement ceremony takes place under a large tent in the Library quad. There is a section reserved for accessible seating on a first-come, first-served basis. There is also a small section directly behind the accessible seating area reserved for family and friends of those who need seating in that area.

Accessible Restrooms

Accessible restrooms are located on the first and second floors of the R.W. Kern Center, the first floor of the Cole Science Center, in the Harold Johnson Library and in the Robert Crown Center. 

Emergency Medical Technicians

The College has contracted EMT services with Action Ambulance Services and will be stationed near the commencement tent. Staff will be available on-site in order to assist in the event of a medical emergency.