Sunday, May 19 • University Green (main ceremony)
followed by diploma presentations at separate sites
Graduates report for lineup no later than 9:30 a.m.
Graduates will line up behind the main Commencement tent (the side facing Mortensen Library). In the event of inclement weather, there will be no processional, as graduates will be seated inside the tent upon arrival.
The Commencement for Undergraduate Programs will be held on Sunday, May 19, beginning with the main ceremony at 10 a.m. on the University Green (the large lawn area at the center of the academic buildings and student union). Following the main ceremony, graduates and guests will proceed to separate sites across campus for school and college diploma presentations.
• College of Arts and Sciences: Sports Center *
• Barney School of Business: Auerbach Hall lawn tent *
• College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions: Main site (large tent)
• College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture: Gray Center courtyard tent
• Hartford Art School: Art School courtyard (if significant rain, University Commons)
• The Hartt School: Lincoln Theater *
• Hillyer College: Millard Auditorium
• University Studies: Gengras Cafeteria
* indicates locations showing a simulcast of the main ceremony
A simulcast of the main ceremony will be shown in the following locations: the large tent on the Auerbach Hall lawn, the Sports Center, and Lincoln Theater (ticketed Hartt School guests only). Guests who wish to bypass the main ceremony and settle in early at diploma presentation sites should consider these options. Vehicles will be restricted from traveling on campus roads between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Additional indoor viewing areas are Mali Auditorium (off the Dana Hall lobby) and Suisman Lounge on the main floor of Gengras Student Union. In the event of inclement weather, additional classrooms on the main floors of Hillyer Hall and Dana Hall will also be open for simulcast viewing of the main ceremony.
The main ceremony will be streamed live online via this website.
Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns will be distributed on the third floor of Gengras Student Union (rooms 331 and 333) during the following times:
Thursday, May 16: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Friday, May 17: 12 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 18: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 19: 8:30 a.m. to start of ceremony
Women do not remove their caps at any time during the ceremony. Men remove and replace their caps whenever President Harrison does. Undergraduate candidates wear tassels forward and to the right. Caps and gowns are to be returned to a
designated area at each site. A standard tassel is provided with your cap and gown. Degree-specific souvenir tassels may be purchased at the time of cap-and-gown pickup for $5 each, cash only. Honors cords may be purchased for $10 each.
Tickets
Tickets are not required to attend Commencement, with the exception of The Hartt School’s diploma presentation ceremony in Lincoln Theater.
Residence Halls
Residence Halls will close at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 19.
Diplomas
Any undergraduate student with pending judicial charges, including those stemming from inappropriate behavior during Senior Week, will not be allowed to participate in Commencement or to receive his or her diploma. It is also possible that students who did not file their degree applications on time may not receive a diploma on Commencement Day. Diplomas are withheld if a student has not satisfied all of the academic requirements of his/her degree or if a student has a Bursar’s restriction. In both cases, students will be allowed to attend the ceremony, but will receive blank diploma covers. Graduates not attending Commencement should call 860.768.4517 (or 768.4969) and arrange to pick up their diplomas in the Registrar’s Office the following week. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Diplomas not picked up by June 1 will be sent via certified mail to the address provided on the degree application.
Online Information Session
An on-demand video information session is now available. This is a great way for graduates to prepare for Commencement and to be anxiety free on their special day.
Reception for the Class of 2013
Graduating members of the Class of 2013 and their immediate families are invited to attend a graduation reception, hosted by the Alumni Association. It will be held on Saturday, May 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the North and South Cafeterias, located in the Gengras Student Union. Graduates will be welcomed into the Alumni Association and will have the opportunity to celebrate their achievements. RSVP online. For more information, please contact Stacey Kohl at 860.768.2401, or send an e-mail to skohl@hartford.edu.
Commencement Day Dining
A hot breakfast (cash basis) will be served at The Hawk’s Nest from 8 to 10 a.m. on Commencement Sunday. The popular 1877 Club Commencement luncheon buffet will be offered (prepaid reservations only, 860.768.4817) with seating starting at 1 p.m. A food concession tent will be open at the main site from 8:30 a.m. to the end of the main ceremony. Einstein Bros Bagels, on the main floor of Gengras Student Union, will be open from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Flowers
Flowers will be available for purchase at the main site and can be ordered in advance for quick pick up that day.
Bookstore
The University of Hartford bookstore will be open extended hours during Commencement Weekend for the convenience of graduates and their guests. Hours are Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Gallery
Joseloff Gallery, an art gallery in the west wing of the Harry Jack Gray Center, will be open Commencement Weekend from noon–4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Sunday.
