Hobart and William Smith Colleges

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES

   

   

FRIDAY, MAY 19

6 – 9:30 p.m.
Senior Family Barbeque and Fireworks
Stern Lawn
For members of the Classes of 2023 and their guests. Cost is $15 (plus tax and fees) per person, 5 years old and under is free. Seniors who have purchased a senior week bracelet are covered for their meal. No need to purchase a ticket for them. There will be a traditional barbeque and a performance by a live band. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display. Registration is required by Friday, May 12. Deadline for cancellation or full refund is Friday, May 12.

8 p.m.
Oneg Shabbat Dessert Reception in Honor of the Classes of 2023
Abbe Center for Jewish Life, 764 S. Main Street

SATURDAY, MAY 20

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Master of Science in Management Family Reception
Bozzuto Center, 1^st Floor

1:30 p.m.
Baccalaureate
St. John’s Chapel
For members of the Classes of 2023 and their guests. This is a ceremony of transition, thankfulness and reflection in honor of our graduates.
Keynote speaker: Father Tom Mull

3 p.m.
First Generation Initiative Ceremony
Stern Lawn Tent

4:30 p.m.
Posse Ceremony
Froelich Hall

6 - 8 p.m.
Family Dinner
Adams Intercultural Center, Front Lawn
Free and open to all.

SUNDAY, MAY 21

7 a.m. – 12 p.m.
au bon pain
Warren Hunting Smith Library, lobby
Cash/credit card service, beverages and baked goods

7:30 a.m.
Service of Holy Eucharist with Communion
St. John’s Chapel
All are welcome

9 a.m.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
The Hobart Quad
Keynote speaker: Alan Khazei
We will be outdoors on grass surfaces so we suggest you wear appropriate footwear for the weather and conditions. In the case of inclement weather the ceremony will be moved to the Bristol Field House and the start time will be 10 a.m. An announcement will be broadcast on WHWS between 6 and 8 a.m.

Immediately following Commencement Exercises
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) & Educational Studies Family Reception
Merritt Hall 
Drop-in reception after the commencement ceremony for families of graduate students completing the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program and undergraduate students completing Educational Studies, the Teacher Education Program (TEP) and/or TEFL Certification.

Immediately following Commencement Exercises
Commencement Day Luncheon
Saga Dining Hall
For members of the Classes of 2023 and their guests. Cost is $18.55 per person including seniors and all HWS students, $7.20 for 10 years old and under, 5 and under is free. Registration is required by Friday, May 12. Deadline for cancellation or full refund is Friday, May 12.

1 - 2 p.m.
Community Lunch
Adams Intercultural Center, Front Lawn
Free and open to all.

 

COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION

ACCOMMODATIONS

LOCAL LODGING and RENTALS
A list of local accommodations can be found here. Please make reservations directly with your hotel of choice. We suggest doing so soon as rooms will be booked quickly.

ON CAMPUS HOUSING
Rooms are available for families in the deCordova residence hall on Friday, May 19, Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21. These air-conditioned dormitory rooms have twin beds with shared bathrooms. Linens are included (1 sheet set, 1 pillow, 1 blanket, 1 washcloth, 1 bath towel), but you may want to bring extra. Doubles and some singles are available – please indicate your preference when registering and we will do our best. Friday and Sunday nights are $45.54 per person per night, plus taxes and fees, Saturday night is $55.54 per person per night (includes $10 voucher for Sunday breakfast at au bon pain). Non-voucher housing option is not available for Saturday night. Sunday au bon pain hours are 7 a.m.-12 p.m.

Registration is required by Friday, May 12. Deadline for cancellation or full refund is Friday, May 12.

MEALS

The Colleges offer special meals including a Family Barbeque on Friday night, Commencement Day lunch on Sunday (see details above). Au bon pain will be open from 7 a.m.-12 p.m. on Sunday, May 21 (no registration required, cash or credit card accepted). Vegetarian and gluten-free entrees will be available at all meals. Children five (5) and under eat for free and do not need to be registered for any meals.

OTHER

TICKETS FOR COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Tickets are not required. There will be plenty of seating available (rain or shine), and all family and friends are welcome to attend. Commencement is held outdoors on the Hobart Quad with unlimited seating. The ceremony will be simulcast in Gulick Hall as well. In the case of inclement weather, an announcement will be made between 6-8 a.m. on WHWS (105.7 FM) and the ceremony will be moved to Bristol Field House with a start time of 10 a.m.

PARKING
Commencement ceremony parking will be available in the Medbery North lot, Scandling lot, JPR Complex and Odell’s South lot. Parking for guests with accessibility needs will be in the Medbery South lot. Please alert the parking attendants at Medbery, when you arrive, that you need accessible parking. Shuttles will be available from the Odell’s South lot to the ceremony on the Quad. Click here to view the parking and shuttle map.

If the ceremony is moved indoors to Bristol Field House, shuttles will be available from the Medbery/Scandling parking lots to Bristol Field House. Click Here to view the parking and shuttle map.

Please see the SPECIAL NEEDS section below for more information about accessible parking and access.

RAIN PLAN
The ceremony will happen rain, snow or shine. We strongly encourage all participants to watch the weather forecast and dress accordingly – including bringing an umbrella if the forecast calls for showers and dressing warmly. Since we will be outdoors on grass surfaces, please wear appropriate footwear for the weather and conditions. In the case of dangerous weather, the event will be moved to Bristol Field House and begin at 10 a.m. This change will be broadcast on WHWS between 6 and 8 a.m.

RADIO COVERAGE
WEOS (89.7 and 90.3 FM) and WHWS 105.7 FM will make continuous announcements on Sunday morning beginning at 6 a.m. You may also check the HWS Update for the most current information.

SPECIAL NEEDS
If you need accessible parking on the day of the ceremony, please go to the Medbery Parking Lot where you will be directed to spaces adjacent to the Quad.  There will be golf carts available to transport people with limited mobility, and ramps available to access the quad. At the ceremony, there will be large screens for better viewing and sign language interpreters.  The ceremony will also be simulcast in a classroom in Gulick Hall.

In the case of the ceremony being moved indoors at the Bristol Field House, parking is very limited. Those with special needs who can board a shuttle bus should park in the Medbery South Lot and take the shuttle to the Field House. For those with special needs who are unable to board a shuttle bus, curbside drop off will be available at the Bristol Field House lot. For those with special needs who cannot take the shuttle or be dropped off, there are a limited number of parking spaces for vehicles with valid handicapped permits only at the Bristol Field House lot.

If you have special needs that may require accommodation in order to ensure your full participation, please contact the Parents Office at (315) 781-3700.

BROADCAST ARRANGEMENTS
The Commencement ceremony will be simulcast in Gulick Hall in Room 100. Additionally, Commencement will be streamed online starting at 9 a.m.

DIPLOMA FRAMES, CLASS RINGS AND OTHER GIFTS 
The College Store is your source for diploma frames and class rings. Visit the College Store and click on Graduation Items. The College Store will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20, and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, May 21. Phone: (315) 781-3449. Jostens will be in The College Store on March 16 and 17 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Students can get up to $160 off if they place their order during the event.

GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please visit the Herff Jones site to order Hobart College, William Smith College, or Hobart and William Smith Colleges graduation announcements and thank you notes.

PHOTOGRAPHY
A professional photographer will photograph each senior as they receive their diploma. You will receive a color proof and order form a few weeks after Commencement from Genesee Photo Systems (105 W. 4th Ave., Stillwater, OK, 74074, 1-800-345-7427).

PRESS RELEASES
Press releases will be sent to the hometown newspaper of graduates after Commencement. As soon as possible prior to Commencement, please email publicity@hws.edu with your hometown newspaper’s name, address (e-mail address if they have one) along with a current photo of the graduate.

CAP AND GOWNS
The Office of Student Engagement has emailed students the information to order their cap and gown. There is no additional charge for caps and gowns as it is covered by the student activity fee. Seniors will have until March 15 to place their order.

STUDENT COMMUNICATIONS
Students will be notified via student email about schedules for rehearsals and procedures. Namecoach will also be used to ensure correct name pronunciation for Commencement.

SENIOR WEEK EVENTS
The Senior Class Presidents plan activities for seniors during the week before Commencement. Contact the Office of Student Engagement with questions at (315) 781-3513.

OUTSTANDING BILL
Students slated for graduation will receive their E-Bill in April, which must be paid prior to Commencement. E-bills are generated by the Student Accounts and issued via each student’s Nelnet account. Questions about billing can be directed to Student Accounts at 315-781-3343 or studentaccounts@hws.edu.

QUESTIONS ABOUT ELIGIBILITY
Should you have any questions regarding your child’s eligibility for graduation, the student may email Linda Radin at radin@hws.edu from their HWS email account with concerns. If the student includes their parent or family member’s email address, and states in the inquiry that they are providing permission for their parent or designated party to be included in Registrar email correspondence, then they will be included in the response. Please allow several days for a response, as many students are writing in with questions at the same time.

If you have any additional questions regarding Commencement, please contact the Parents Office at (315) 781-3700 or at parentsoffice@hws.edu.