Understanding Brown’s
Commencement
246th Commencement
Sunday, May 25, 2014
What we will discuss
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Important dates
Description of weekend events
Tips for families and guests
Frequently asked questions
Your questions!
End of Semester
• May 6: Last day of class
• May 7-16: Final exams
• May 23-25: Commencement & Reunion
Weekend
– Friday, May 23: Campus Dance
– Saturday, May 24: Forums and Baccalaureate
– Sunday, May 25: Procession and Ceremonies
• May 26: Senior move-out by noon
Campus Dance
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Friday, May 23 from 9 PM to 1 AM
Sponsored by the Brown Alumni Association
Tradition dates back to 1868
Celebration brings together seniors, reunion
classes & members of Brown community
Campus Dance (cont.)
• Families welcome, not required to attend
• Senior sing at midnight on Sayles steps
• Need to make reservations and purchase
tables & tickets online:
alumni.brown.edu/news_events/campus_dance/
Forums
• Saturday, May 24 - three sessions (9 AM,
11 AM, and 12:30 PM)
• Wide variety of topics led by Brown faculty,
alumni, medical professionals, and honorary
degree candidates
• Similar to Family Weekend Forums (but
many more!)
• Schedule will be announced via the
Commencement website at the end of April
Baccalaureate
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Saturday, May 24 from 2:30 PM – 4 PM
Multi-faith ceremony
Held at the First Baptist Church
Includes a procession, dancing, music,
readings, and a keynote address
Baccalaureate (cont.)
• Seniors process from College Green to the
Church (line up on Waterman at 1:30 PM)
• Seniors only are in the Church
• Families watch a live simulcast on Main
Green (Sayles & Salomon also open)
Commencement Day
9:45 AM Procession steps off
10:15 AM Graduate School Ceremony on
Simmons Quad
11:15 AM Medical School Ceremony at
1st Unitarian Church
12:10 PM College Ceremony at FBMH
12:45 PM University Ceremony on Green
2:15 PM Diploma Ceremonies/Receptions
Procession
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Line up at 9:30 AM, Step off at 9:45 AM
One of the oldest traditions
Brings together entire Brown community
Approx. 6,000 participants; 15,000
spectators
• Led by Chief Marshal – a member of the
50th reunion class
• All march through Van Wickle Gates, which
are only open 2 times a year – inward
during Convocation, outward during
Commencement
Procession Route (Part 1)
Important Procession Tip
• Families and guests WILL NOT see
anything on the route itself!!!
• Guests are STRONGLY encouraged to
watch the procession simulcast via the
jumbotron on the Main Green
The College Ceremony
• Approximately at Noon
• Held on the Grounds of the First Baptist
Church
• Official conferral of undergraduate degrees
• Seniors ONLY
• Families and guests can watch a live
simulcast on the Main Green
• Ceremony is approximately 15 minutes long
• Since 1776 all but 2 Commencements have
been celebrated in the FBMH
Procession Route (Part 2)
The University Ceremony
• Approximately at 12:45 PM
• Held on Main Green
• Seniors, Graduate and Medical students
celebrate accomplishments
• Senior Orations
• Presentation of Honorary Degrees
• Presentation of
Symbolic Degrees
Diploma Ceremonies
• After University Ceremony (approx. 2:15 PM)
• Held in locations all across campus – make
sure family knows your concentration
• Diplomas awarded to graduates
• Refreshments and/or lunch
• All families and guests are invited to attend
FAQ: Seating & Tickets
• Tickets are required for Campus Dance
• Currently not needed for any other event for
the weekend
• No tickets are needed for seating during
Commencement
• Seating is first come, first served on the
Main Green
• Make plans to meet up
with your family in
advance
FAQ: Viewing & Photos
• Baccalaureate, Procession, College, and
University Ceremony are all live web
streamed
• Watch from the Main Green via simulcast
• DVD sales are available – info. sent to
home addresses on record (official company
is Collegiate Video)
• Van Wickle Gates stay open
through Monday evening for photo
opportunities
• Diploma Ceremonies
FAQ: Storm Plans
• Dress weather appropriate for all events –
be comfortable and safe!
• Storm plan in effect only in SEVERE
conditions
• No procession, students only to Pizzitola
• Guests to Meehan, Salomon, Sayles
• Announcement on Brown homepage
• Light rain = you will be wet
FAQ: Housing & Dining
• Most Providence hotels have a 2 night
minimum
• Residence hall rooms are available through
Residential Life (reservations begin in
March)
• Make dinner reservations in advance!
• Several “grab and go” locations open on
campus over weekend
• Commencement Day is long – make sure
you stay well fed, hydrated, and take care of
your guests!
FAQ: Parking
• Parking IS a challenge
• Plan that parking will be challenging
• All University lots open beginning at 5 p.m.
on Friday
• University “borrows” lots from local
neighbors for Commencement Day
• Several street closures on both Saturday
and Sunday
• Plan that parking will be challenging
FAQ: Guests w/Special Needs
• Handicapped parking is available via online
beginning in early spring
• This must be requested in advance
• Handicapped parking is observed
• University does not rent wheelchairs
• Most of campus is accessible, but consider
your guest and the amount of travel!
• Student and Employee Accessibility
Services office offers shuttles and
assistance
FAQ: Academic Regalia
• Caps and gowns are picked up and
purchased in the bookstore beginning May 1
• No pre-order needed
• Caps and gowns are made from
Greenweaver® - 100% recycled bottles
• Cap & gown are required for Baccalaureate
and Commencement
• Rings, personalized announcements, and
diploma frames
available for purchase
in the bookstore
FAQ: Tips for the grads!
• Bring your phone/camera (turn your phones
off during the ceremonies!!)
• Eat in the morning
• Plan for your guests now
• Warn your family about parking
• Establish meeting places
with family members in
advance
• Enjoy the time with friends!!
FAQ: More Information
• Websites contain 2013 info – updated in
December/January timeframe
• Commencement information:
www.brown.edu/commencement
• Campus Dance information:
http://alumni.brown.edu/news_events/camp
us_dance/index.html
• Postcard to families in spring
• Most communication to seniors, so please
share information with your guests
• Contact the Office of University Event &
Conference Services, 401-863-3100
Any Questions?