Harvard University Commencement Office

General Information

GATES

On Commencement morning the gates will open at 6:45 AM. Parents and guests of degree candidates who have tickets to attend the Morning Exercises should plan their arrival accordingly. All guests will be required to show their tickets at the gates in order to enter Tercentenary Theatre. All guests should be seated by 8:30 AM for the start of the academic procession which begins at 8:50 AM.

ACADEMIC REGALIA

All degree candidates must wear academic regalia (caps and gowns) to the Commencement Morning Exercises. Regalia may be ordered through the Harvard Coop for distribution in early June. Degree candidates will receive ordering instructions from their undergraduate House or Graduate/Professional School.

GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES

There is a reserved and accessible seating section available for individuals with disabilities in Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement Day. To make reservations, obtain tickets and/or have questions answered regarding any available services, graduating students need to contact Marie Trottier, University Disability Coordinator, Holyoke Center, Room 547 by calling 617-495-1859(v) / 617-495-4801(TTY) or via email: marie_trottier@harvard.edu.

Seating in this section is by confirmed reservation and ticket only. The deadline for these arrangements is Friday, May 16, 2008, however, it is recommended that you call prior to the deadline, as soon as you know that guests need these services. The University Disability Coordinator is responsible for all central services as they relate to accessibility for Commencement Week. Each decision is made on a case by case basis, and only this office can authorize any of these services. If you have any questions or concerns — please contact Ms. Trottier's office as soon as possible.

RESTROOMS

Restrooms for the general public are located in the following buildings:

Weld Hall
Thayer Hall
Sever Hall

These restrooms are wheelchair accessible.

FIRST AID STATIONS

First Aid stations on Commencement Day are situated in the following locations:

Weld Hall - Room 11
Thayer Hall - Room 106
Sever Hall - Room 112

WATER STATIONS

Water stations are located along the perimeter of Tercentenary Theatre and will be clearly marked. Their locations are:

Widener Library steps
Weld Hall - porch north
Weld Hall - northeast entrance
Thayer Hall - south steps
Sever Hall - main entrance
College Pump - near Hilles

PARKING SERVICES

Parking at Harvard University during Commencement Week is extremely limited. Please view updated information regarding Commencement Parking at the following link:

http://www.uos.harvard.edu/transportation/par_spe.shtml#comweekpark

All questions regarding Parking at Harvard University should be directed to:

Parking Services
46 Blackstone Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
617.495.3772

Email: parking@harvard.edu

Web: http://www.uos.harvard.edu/transportation/par.shtml

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

The Harvard Square stop on the MBTA's Red Line subway is directly across the street from Harvard Yard. The Harvard CommuterChoice Program website describes the various routes to Harvard Square using public transportation. Please note: Acrobat Reader is required to view and print this information.

TELEVISED VIEWING

The Commencement Morning Exercises and the afternoon Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association are televised live for guests who are unable to attend these campus events.

The broadcast times are: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM and 1:45 PM - 4:30 PM and can be seen on Comcast Cable (Cambridge - channel 54, Boston/Brookline - channel 12).

WEBCAST VIEWING

The Live Webcast may be viewed via computer from the following Harvard websites:

VIDEO SERVICES

Broadcast-quality, multiple-camera DVD and HHS recordings are available of the Commencement Morning Exercises and the afternoon Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association held in Tercentenary Theatre. Class day exercises (Wednesday afternoon) are also available on DVD and VHS. The morning and afternoon Commencement Day recordings include commentary during the processions. Single-camera recordings are made of the diploma ceremonies at all of the Houses and some of the Graduate/Professional Schools.

For purchase of or information about videos, contact Commencement Video at (617) 884-6000; for audio only, call the Media Production Center at (617) 495-9440.

COMMENCEMENT OFFICE Wadsworth House