Commencement Access and Accommodations

The one-hundred eighty-eighth Commencement Ceremony will take place on Pageant Green (see square C3 on the campus map). This is an untented and grassy outdoor space. If inclement weather is forecasted, a decision may be made, at least three days in advance, to relocate the ceremony indoors to the Kendall Sports Complex. We expect the weather may be sunny and there is no shade in the seating area. If it is raining or has recently rained, the ground will be muddy and less firm. Rows of folding chairs will cover the green. There is no reserved seating. Guests may arrive as early as 9 am to secure a seat. Restrooms will be available in locations across campus. Please read further for more information.

A note about Commencement communications: Graduates, please make sure to check your email regularly for important Commencement information including weather-related updates. If your guest has any access needs associated with extreme temperatures or sensitivity to the weather, please fill out the Guest Access and Accommodations form. Graduates, if you have any access needs, please fill out the Graduate Access and Accommodations form. If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us via email at commencement@mtholyoke.edu.

Parking is free on campus and available on a first-come-first-served basis. All guests are welcome to park in the designated Commencement lots and take the shuttles to the Commencement Ceremony on Pageant Green. Please note that the ongoing Geothermal Project could impact parking locations. We encourage you to visit this page in early May for updated information.

Parking is available in the following lots. Guests may park in marked spots only or in designated grass parking lots. Please reference the campus map for planning purposes.

Kendall Sports and Dance Center Lot, see square 5D

Mary Lyon Lot, see square B3

Observatory Lot, see square B3

Morgan Street Lot, see square B1

Gorse Lot, see square C1

Mandelles/1837 Lot, see square D2

Ham McGregor Lot, see square D4

Equestrian Lot, see square F2

Guests with accessible tags and plates are welcome to park in designated spots in these parking lots and take shuttles to Pageant Green. There are designated accessible tag and plate parking spots in all of the lots listed above, except for the Morgan Street lot.

For guests who cannot use the shuttle service due to a disability, those who need alternative accessible parking, and those who are traveling without accessible tags or plates, reservable, limited, accessible parking for the Commencement Ceremony must be requested via the Guest Access and Accommodations Form. Please complete the Guest Access and Accommodations Form and indicate parking needs so that we can be in touch to review the various parking options on campus.

More information about parking at other Commencement events can be provided upon request.

Commencement Parking and Shuttle Map

Shuttle vans and golf carts are available to bring guests to Pageant Green from designated Commencement parking lots on campus. Shuttles will be available before and after the ceremony. They will run continuously between 8 am and 2 pm at 10-15 minute intervals and visit the following stops:

Loop 1 (orange):

• Morgan Street Lot
• Observatory Lot
• Mary Lyon Lot
• Kendall Sports and Dance Main Entrance
• MHC Museum (drop off location for guests)

Loop 2 (green):

• Gorse Lot
• Mandelles/1837 Lot
• Equestrian Center Lot
• Hamm/MacGregor Lot
• MHC Museum (drop off location for guests)

Shuttle stops will be designated with signage. Most shuttle vehicles (vans and golf carts) are not wheelchair accessible. If an individual needs a wheelchair accessible vehicle from a shuttle stop to the Commencement ceremony, please let a shuttle driver know. From there, the shuttle driver will call for a wheelchair accessible vehicle to come to your stop. Please note that the ongoing Geothermal Project could impact shuttle routes. We encourage you to visit this page in early May for updated information.

Select non-residential buildings will be open to guests on the day of Commencement. The buildings closest to Pageant Green are:

• Clapp Laboratory — basement-level bathroom with accessible features
• Blanchard Campus Center — multiple bathrooms with accessible features throughout the building
• Willits Hallowell Conference Center — single-user bathroom with accessible features, right inside the lower entrance by the Executive Boardroom
• Art Museum (available once the ceremony commences) — single-user bathroom with accessible features, inside the front entrance of the museum
• Porter - two bathrooms with accessible features on the first floor
• Ciruti - one all gender bathroom with accessible features on the ground level

*For specific details on the accessible features in these buildings, please feel free to contact us at commencement@mtholyoke.edu.

Additionally, there will be portable restrooms, including accessible portable restrooms for guests to use located outside of the Central Services building and outside of Porter Hall (square D3 on the campus map).

Guests attending the Commencement Ceremony can expect to be seated for most of the event. There is an area toward the back of Pageant Green where guests who wish to do so may stand. General seating on Pageant Green will be ticketed. There is no reserved seating; guests may select their seats on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats must be occupied by 10 am.

The Accessible Seating area for guests will be located to the left of the stage. A temporary flooring system will be installed in the Accessible Seating area and adjacent pathways to ensure easier access for guests. Accessible seating provides nearer access to accessible restrooms, entry and egress.

Accessible seating may be requested for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, nearer access for guests using mobility aids such as wheelchairs, rollators and walkers; aisle seating; size-inclusive seating; needing firm/level walking surface.

The majority of seating on Pageant Green will consist of armless folding chairs, each with a 300 lbs. weight capacity. Chairs with a higher weight capacity of 350-400 lbs. as well as chairs with arms will be available upon request. You may request either of these chairs via the Guest Access and Accommodations Form. A limited number of these chairs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be requested at the Information Tent on Pageant Green located near the entrance to the Art Building (see square C4 on the campus map). Guests who request a chair at the information tent will be shown to that seat at the time of the event.

Guests may request accessible seating due to a visible or invisible disability that prevents them from otherwise participating in the Commencement Ceremony and related events. We’re committed to providing access to the level of your comfort.

If you feel you or your party may need accessible seating please complete the Guest Access and Accommodations Form so we can be in touch to provide more information, answer your questions, and determine together what’s best for your party.

Additional, unticketed seating will be available in the Gettell Amphitheater located just behind Pageant Green. Commencement will be streamed with captions on a large screen so that guests in the amphitheater will be better able to see. Most seating in the amphitheater requires navigating narrow steps, grass aisleways and wood bench seating.

Alternative viewing areas are available for all guests and do not require a Commencement ticket. Each of these viewing sites has a wheelchair accessible entrance with an automatic door opener which can be found on this campus map.

The Great Room is located on the Ground Floor of the Blanchard Community Center (square C3 on the campus map). Blanchard Community Center is air conditioned. Seating in the Great Room includes rows of armless, rigid plastic chairs as well as padded benches with tables. The weight capacity for the plastic chairs in the Great Room is 250 pounds. Two other smaller spaces in the Blanchard Community Center – the Beverly Daniel Tatum Unity Center and Room 227 – will also be open. These spaces feature comfortable furniture and fewer stimuli. Commencement will be live streamed with captions in all three spaces.

The Morrison Room in Willits Hallowell Conference Center (square D4 on the campus map) is an additional, smaller alternative viewing location for those with access needs requiring closer proximity to accessible parking and an accessible indoor bathroom. Seating in the Morrison Room will feature rows of armless, rigid metal chairs with padded seats. The weight capacity of these chairs is 300 lbs.

Finally, the Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed for guests and graduates who cannot or choose not to attend the ceremony in person. The livestream will be captioned.

Wheelchairs can be rented at Hometown Healthcare Store located in Northampton. Beginning April 15, you can reserve a wheelchair via their online form. You can reach the store by phone at (413) 320-4665.

Whether you are a graduating student or a guest, service animals — as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — are allowed at commencement ceremonies. All other animals, including Emotional Support Animals and pets, are prohibited from the Commencement Ceremony and related events. It is not necessary for individuals with service animals to complete the Access and Accommodation form.

For more information, please see the Mount Holyoke College Service Animals Policy and the Pets on Campus Policy.

If you have any questions, please email section504coordinator@mtholyoke.edu.

There will be no food served during the Commencement Ceremony. Guests are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle. Water stations will be available in select locations on campus, identified by signage. Boxed water will be provided for graduates.

• American Sign Language (ASL) will be available via livestream. Guests and graduates attending the Commencement Ceremony in person may access the ASL livestream on their own personal devices or may request a tablet via the Access and Accommodations Form.
• Live captioning (CART services) will be available on two large screens flanking the ceremony stage. CART services are also available via livestream and guests or graduates can view the captions via their own personal devices or request tablets on which to view the captions during the ceremony.
• Assistive Listening Devices are available with either headphones or a neck loop and may be borrowed for the duration of the ceremony. Anyone who would like to borrow an assistive listening device should request one via the Access and Accommodations Form.

Guests, please complete the Guest Access and Accommodations Form to share your request for a tablet or an assistive listening device. Graduates, please complete the Graduate Access and Accommodations Form to share your request for assistive devices. Tablets and devices will be available for pick-up at the Information Tent on Pageant Green located near the entrance to the Art Building (see square C4 on the campus map).

The ceremony program will be printed in a variety of font sizes (smaller than 14) and colors on a light-toned paper. The program is also available digitally. Guests may request the program in alternative formats, including larger print, screen-reader friendly, and Braille by completing the Guest Access and Accommodation Form. Graduates may also request the program in alternative formats by completing the Graduate Access and Accommodations Form.

Graduates will line up either in Gamble Auditorium and Abbey Chapel. Graduates will be assigned to a specific location for line-up before the rehearsal. Gamble Auditorium is close to an accessible bathroom and air conditioned. Students with mobility concerns can choose to line up in Gamble Auditorium.

Once the ceremony begins, graduates will exit the Art Building through a door that is on the ground level, cross a small paved sidewalk and move onto Pageant Green. They will make their way to the graduate seating near the front of the stage. A temporary flooring system will be installed in the aisleways adjacent to graduate seating to ensure easy access.

During the ceremony, graduates will mostly be sitting. Once diploma distribution starts, graduates will stand, walk to the line adjacent to the stage, and move across the stage. The stage has ramps with handrails on either side.

The ceremony concludes with the graduates following the stage party and faculty back down the two main aisles. There is no designated space for graduates to return.

Most seating in Gamble is auditorium style with padded chairs with arms and accessed through four aisles of stairs. Seating in Abbey Chapel is rows of wooden pews accessed through three aisles. Alternative seating options are available. Please fill out the Graduate Access and Accommodation Form to share your request for alternative seating during line-up.

Once on Pageant Green, graduates will be seated on armless folding chairs with a 300 lb. weight capacity. Chairs with a higher weight capacity of 350-400 lbs. are available upon request. You may request a chair with a higher weight capacity via the Graduate Access and Accommodations Form.

The temporary flooring system will be located under a small number of graduate chairs. Any graduates needing seating on the temporary flooring, or seating with space for service animals, mobility aids, access to an aisle, or seating on a firm surface, are asked to complete the Graduate Access and Accommodation Form so that we may coordinate the details of your request with you.

If inclement weather is forecasted, a decision may be made, at least three days in advance, to relocate the ceremony indoors to the Kendall Sports Complex. Graduates, please make sure to check your email regularly for important Commencement information including weather-related updates.

We expect the weather may be sunny and there is no shade in the seating area on Pageant Green. All students will receive a boxed water. If it is raining or has recently rained, the ground will be muddy and less firm.

If you or your guest have any access needs associated with extreme temperatures or sensitivity to the weather, please fill out the Graduate Access and Accommodations form.

Live captioning (CART services) will be available on two large screens flanking the ceremony stage. CART services are also available via livestream and guests or graduates can view the captions via their own personal devices or request tablets on which to view the captions during the ceremony.

Assistive Listening Devices are available with either headphones or a neck loop and may be borrowed for the duration of the ceremony.

American Sign Language (ASL) will be available via livestream. Graduates attending the Commencement Ceremony in person may access the ASL livestream on their own personal devices or may request a tablet via the Graduate Access and Accommodations Form.

Graduates, please complete the Graduate Access and Accommodations Form to share your request for a tablet or an assistive listening device.

Shuttle service for students will be provided by Friendly Ride Van Service. Shuttle service will run from Wednesday, May 21 through Sunday, May 25, 2024 from 7:30 am-11 pm.

The shuttle will be an on-call service.

Students may call 413-523-2607 to request an on-campus ride. The back up number will be 413-361-3311.

First call will be 7:30 am, and last call will be 10:45 pm. Individuals can expect a short wait after calling and before the van arrives, similar to the ARC shuttle during the academic year.

The driver will take two 30-minute breaks

• Wednesday: 11:30 am-12 pm and 8:30-9 pm
• Thursday: 11:30 am-12 pm and 8:30-9 pm
• Friday: 11:30 am-12 pm and 8-8:30 pm
• Saturday: 11-11:30 am and 8:30-9 pm
• Sunday- 11-11:30 am and 8:30-9 pm