Graduate Commencement Guide

Caps and gowns will be available for purchase at the Blue and Gold Campus Bookstore starting on Friday, May 1.  The Blue and Gold Campus Bookstore hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.; and Saturday, 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

All August 2019, October 2019, February 2020, and May 2020 graduates are eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony. Graduates are asked to notify Student Administrative Services at 413-796-2080 immediately if they change their mind about participating in the Commencement ceremony.

Graduates who will be within six credits of graduation as of May 17, 2019, may be eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony.   A Participation Request Form must be sent to the Dean's office prior to March 30, 2020.

Graduates are advised to report to the Alumni Healthful Living Center between 1:00 and 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, May 17.  They should enter the campus by way of the access road next to the Church in the Acres on Wilbraham Road and enter the building through the rear door of the Multipurpose Room. Parking is available in the lot behind the Alumni Healthful Living Center. Graduating seniors must check in and should be dressed in their caps and gowns, as well as appropriate attire. Only graduates who check-in will have their names read during the ceremony. There will be no rehearsal.

May graduates will receive their actual diploma on stage.  If you do not attend Commencement your diploma will be mailed to your home address 4 weeks after Commencement. You may arrange to pick up the diploma by contacting Rebecca Sargent in Student Administrative Services at 413-796-2080.  All August, October, and February graduates who have already received their diploma and plan to attend the ceremony will receive a diploma cover containing a letter instead of the diploma.

Guests must enter through the main entrance of the Alumni Healthful Living Center and must have a ticket to enter. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. The ceremony will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m. and will last approximately 2  hours. Seating will be in chairs, not bleachers.

The deadline for settling all accounts at the Student Administrative Services Office in order to receive a diploma at Commencement is Thursday, May 14, 2020.

Students who borrow under the Federal Direct Loan Program are required to complete an online exit interview. The Direct Loan Servicing website is https://www.studentloans.gov.  Students who borrow under the Federal Perkins Loan Program are also required to complete an online exit interview . The Perkins Loan exit interview site is https://www.uasexit.com

Invitations and tickets will be available at the Blue and Gold Campus Bookstore starting Friday, May 1. The Blue and Gold Campus Bookstore hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.; and Saturday, 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  Each graduate is provided with a maximum of 10 tickets. Additional tickets are not available due to space constraints.  If you are having your regalia shipped , your invitations and tickets will be included in the package.  Law graduates will pick up their tickets and invitations in the Law Records office starting May 1.

Parking is available at various locations on campus.  Guests will be directed to parking areas as they approach campus.  As a convenience to guests, shuttle service vans circle the outer campus parking lots on a continuing basis for one hour before and one hour after the ceremony.

Photographs will be taken of each graduate as they receive congratulations from President Caprio. After March 1, log on to http://www.events.lifetouch.com/westernnewenglanduniversity to preregister your email address.  As soon as your Commencement photos are processed you will receive an email from Lifetouch with instructions for viewing and purchasing your photos online.

Guests or graduates in need of special arrangements must contact the University by May 11. Please call Rebecca Sargent at 413-796-2080.  There will be a limit of one family member sitting with a guest who requires special accommodations.

Accessible parking near the Alumni Healthful Living Center is limited to vehicles with designated license plates or placards. Drop-off of elderly guests in front of the Alumni Healthful Living Center is available. The University does not provide wheelchairs for guests.

Assisted listening devices are available for use during commencement.  Please contact Bill Arnold, Senior Manager of Media Services, at 413-782-1639 to reserve a device.