Important Notice Regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Commencement Week

Update May 2020: For more information on the University-wide and College programs on May 28, 2020 to celebrate graduating College seniors, please visit this page. For any questions on Commencement programming, please contact us at haa_collegealumniprograms@harvard.edu.

 

Update March 2020: Harvard has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak as well as guidance set forth by the CDC, and the University's recommendations have been evolving quickly as the situation unfolds. The Office of the President announced that our community will not host Commencement exercises in person this May. We recognize how disappointing this is - especially for our students and their family and friends. Understanding why we must move forward this way does not make it any less difficult, but the health and safety of our community is paramount.

If there are further updates to Commencement and related activities, the University will post updates here. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

To stay up to date on Harvard's response to the outbreak, visit the University's COVID-19 website, which will be updated with information as it becomes available.

The Class Day Exercises, and other Commencement Week events, will not occur as traditionally presented. The 2020 Class Committee and Harvard Alumni Association will be exploring alternative options for portions of the Class Day program, including the Harvard Oration, Ivy Oration, Class Ode, and honoring the Ames Award recipients. Updates will be communicated to seniors via 2020 Class Committee email newsletters. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The original schedule of programming for May 2020 is below for reference. Please note that this programming as presented below has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The entry requirements, ticket information, and FAQs are no longer applicable. 

Please see the May 2020 update at the top of this page for the schedule of virtual programming.  

Event Schedule
Entry Requirements
Ticket Information
Frequently Asked Questions

Attire | Ticket Pick-up | Accomodations | Regalia | Accessibility | Visitor Visa | Parking | Children | Online Viewing | Yearbook | Photograph | Merchandise | Move-Out

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Commencement Week Event Schedule 

Commencement Week Schedule for Students and Families/Guests 

Tuesday, May 26
11:00 AM	Phi Beta Kappa Literary Exercises Sanders Theatre (Open to the public; tickets not required)
1:30 PM	Baccalaureate Procession Old Yard (graduating seniors march in the procession; guests welcome to observe) Tickets not required
2:00 PM	Baccalaureate Service The Memorial Church of Harvard University (graduating seniors only) Tercentenary Theatre (audio broadcast for families and guests) Tickets not required
3:30 PM	Class of 2020 Photograph Widener Library Steps Tickets not required *Rain date: Wednesday, May 27, immediately following Class Day Exercises.
5:00 PM	Class of 2020 Family Reception Science Center Plaza Tickets required

Wednesday, May 27
11:00 AM	ROTC Commissioning Ceremony Tercentenary Theatre Tickets not required
Noon	Class Day Picnic Old Yard Tickets required
2:00 PM	Class Day Exercises with featured Class Day speaker Tercentenary Theatre Tickets required
4:00 PM	Dudley Community Receptions Location to be announced Tickets not required
5:00 PM	Faculty Deans’ Receptions Undergraduate Houses Tickets not required
5:00 PM	Senior Letterwinners' Dinner Bright-Landry Hockey Arena (Reception begins at 5:00 p.m., Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m.) Tickets required. Senior student-athletes are free; $65 per guest. Tickets available until May 22.
8:00 PM	Harvard University Band and Harvard Choruses Concert Tercentenary Theatre Tickets not required

Thursday, May 28
6:45 AM	Yard Gates Open
9:45 AM	369th Commencement: The Morning Exercises Tercentenary Theatre Tickets required.
Noon	369th Commencement: Diploma Presentation Undergraduate Houses Tickets not required
2:30 PM	369th Commencement: The Afternoon Program with featured speaker Martin Baron Tercentenary Theatre Tickets required.

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Commencement Week Entry Requirements

Tickets to the Class Day Exercises, Morning Exercises, and Afternoon Program allow admission into Tercentenary Theatre, but do not guarantee seats. Seats cannot be reserved and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The sale of tickets for the Class Day Exercises, Morning Exercises, and Afternoon Program is strictly prohibited. Students who attempt to sell tickets may be referred to the Office of Academic Integrity and Student Conduct.

All persons, bags, and personal items are subject to inspection before entering Commencement Week events. Backpacks, luggage, and any bag or item larger than 12" x 12" x 12" will not be permitted inside Commencement Week events.

Strollers are not permitted inside Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement Day.

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Commencement Week Ticket Information 

All tickets for Commencement Week events and activities are obtained by seniors at Senior Desk, except where otherwise noted.

SENIOR DESK

Where: Harvard Alumni Association, 124 Mount Auburn Street, 6th Floor

When: Weekdays, May 11–27, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

• May 11: Adams, Lowell, and Quincy
• May 12: Cabot, Currier, Dudley, and Pforzheimer
• May 13: Dunster, Leverett, and Mather
• May 14: Eliot, Kirkland, and Winthrop
• Students from all Houses can come to any of the remaining days.

HUID required

Seniors must complete the online senior exit survey, titled "Senior Survey," before they pick up Commencement Week tickets. Graduating seniors will receive an email containing a URL to access the survey, which opens on May 8. The survey may take up to 24 hours to process, so seniors should wait until the next business day before picking up their tickets.

Each senior must pick up his or her own tickets in person. No tickets (allotted, free, or purchased) will be available onsite at Commencement Week events. To avoid long lines at Senior Desk, pick up tickets early. Additional tickets to some events are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ticket Summary

Tuesday, May 26
Time/Event	Total Tickets Given	Additional Tickets
Phi Beta Kappa Exercises	Not required	Not required
Baccalaureate Service	Not required	Not required
Class of 2020 Photograph	Not required	Not required
Class of 2020 Family Reception	3 (the senior will need to use one of these)	Free

Wednesday, May 27
Time/Event	Total Tickets Given	Additional Tickets
ROTC Commissioning Ceremony	Not required	Not required
Class Day Picnic	3 (the senior will need to use one of these)	$15 each
Class Day Exercises	3 (the senior will need to use one of these)	Free
Dudley Community and Faculty Deans' Receptions	Not required	Not required
Senior Letterwinners' Dinner	Free for senior student-athletes	$65 per guest (Tickets available through harvardvarsityclub.org/SLD until May 22)
Harvard University Band and Harvard Choruses Concert	Not required	Not required

Thursday, May 28
Time/Event	Total Tickets Given	Additional Tickets
Morning Exercises	4 (the senior will not need a ticket for this event)	Not available
House Diploma Presentation	Not required	Not required
House Luncheon	3 (the senior will need to use one of these)	$18 each
The Afternoon Program	4 (the senior will not need a ticket for this event)	Free but limited

Ticketed Events

Class of 2020 Family Reception
Tuesday, May 26 at 5:00 PM
Enjoy a reception and drinks with your senior, as well as other families and guests. Tickets are complimentary for the graduating senior and guests. 

Class Day Picnic 
Wednesday, May 27 at Noon
Enjoy a casual lunch in the Old Yard before the start of the Class Day Exercises. Tickets are complimentary for the graduating senior and two guests and $15 per each additional person. Seniors are encouraged to check with their family first before purchasing tickets as refunds are not accepted.

Class Day Exercises
Wednesday, May 27 at 2:00 PM
Where Commencement is a University-wide program, Class Day celebrates the graduating College Class of 2020, and includes the featured Class Day speaker invited by the Class. Each senior is entitled to three complimentary tickets. Graduating seniors will require one of these tickets for entry. Additional tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Commencement—The Morning Exercises
Thursday, May 28 at 9:45 AM (gates open at 6:45 AM)
Celebrating the achievements of all Harvard University graduates, this program features remarks from students, the presentation of honorary degrees, and the conferring of student degrees. The Commencement Morning Exercises are very crowded and, consequently, tickets are limited to a maximum of four per graduating senior for guests (no exceptions). Seniors will not require a ticket for themselves - their regalia, lanyard and Harvard ID will get them into the Yard. Please note that a ticket does not guarantee a seat. The sale of Commencement tickets is strictly prohibited.

Indoor viewing is available via feed in the Science Center, the Smith Campus Center, and most Undergraduate Houses, and the program will also be streamed online. For more information about the schedule for the Morning Exercises please visit the University Commencement website.

Commencement—Diploma Presentation and Luncheon
Thursday, May 28 at Noon
Between the Commencement Morning Exercises and Afternoon Program there is a diploma presentation ceremony and luncheon in each House. This is the ceremony where the graduate receives their diploma. Tickets are not required for the ceremony but are required for the luncheon. Tickets for the luncheon are complimentary for the graduating senior and two guests. Additional guest tickets can be purchased for $18 each.

Commencement—The Afternoon Program
Thursday, May 28 at 2:30 PM
The Afternoon Program is the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association. The 2020 program will be hosted by HAA President Alice Hill AB '81, AM '88, PhD '91 and includes remarks by Harvard University President Lawrence S. Bacow JD '76, MPP '76, PhD '78 and the Commencement speaker Martin Baron; an introduction of the 25th Reunion Chief Marshal Koma Gandy Fischbein AB '95; the announcement of Harvard Overseer and HAA Director election results; and the presentation of the Harvard Medals. Graduating seniors are allotted four free tickets for guests. Seniors will not require a ticket for themselves - their regalia, lanyard and Harvard ID will get them into the Yard. Additional tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about the schedule for the Afternoon Program please visit the University Commencement website.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Questions and Answers about Commencement Week

What is the attire for Commencement Week activities?
Business casual attire is appropriate for all Commencement Week activities. 

How and when can tickets be obtained?
Tickets for Commencement Week can be picked up at Senior Desk, located at the Harvard Alumni Association (124 Mount Auburn Street, 6th Floor; except where otherwise noted), weekdays 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., from Monday, May 11, through Wednesday, May 27 (Class Day). HUID required.

Seniors must complete the online senior exit survey, titled "Senior Survey," before they pick up their Commencement Week tickets. Graduating seniors will receive an email containing a URL to access the survey, which opens on May 8. The survey may take up to 24 hours to process, so seniors should wait until the next business day before picking up their tickets.

Each senior must pick up his or her own tickets in person. No tickets (allotted, free, or purchased) will be available onsite at Commencement Week events. Please make an effort to pick up tickets early; you can expect a considerable wait during the last days of Senior Desk. Additional tickets for some events are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please bring your HUID since only you can pick up your Commencement Week
tickets—no exceptions. 

Are accommodations available?
There are a number of hotels in and around Harvard Square and the Cambridge area, including some accessible via the MBTA Red Line. Please plan to book early as hotels will quickly fill up. Unfortunately, courtesy rates at hotels are not available. Please visit the University Commencement website for more information. 

At which events is regalia required?
Academic regalia (cap and gown) is required for the Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) Literary Exercises (for PBK seniors), Baccalaureate Procession and Service, and the Class of 2020 photograph on Tuesday, May 26, and for the Commencement Morning Exercises and the Diploma Presentation ceremonies on Thursday, May 28.

Cap and gown rentals are available for pickup May 21 to 28 in the textbook department on the third floor of the Coop, located on Palmer Street, during normal store hours (Monday to Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.). The Coop is also open early on Commencement Day (beginning at 6:15 a.m. on Thursday, May 28).

The rental fee is $43.20 for seniors; dual AB/AM candidates will have an additional $37.80 rental fee for the master hood (cash, check, charge, and Crimson Cash are accepted). No reservations are needed for the Harvard College senior regalia rentals. Seniors should go to the Coop during the dates listed above to rent their regalia. Please email customerservice@thecoop.com if you have regalia questions.

Where can I find information about accessibility for guests with disabilities?

Harvard University welcomes all guests on Commencement Day!

In Tercentenary Theater, accommodations for individuals with disabilities may include but are not limited to accessible seating, wheelchair loan, Assistive Listening Devices, American Sign Language, and alternate program formats, including Braille, large font and accessible digital files. Accommodations are available by request through the Harvard Alumni Association at alumni.harvard.edu/guest-accessibility-requests; please submit accommodation requests via this link prior to Friday, April 24.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early (gates open at 6:45 a.m.) and there will be staff at the entry gates to Harvard Yard providing courtesy wheelchair transportation for all guests from the gate to guest seating in Tercentenary Theater. First aid stations and wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located in Sever, Weld, and Thayer Halls in Harvard Yard. If you have questions about accommodations and the physical access provided for other commencement activities, please call the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) at 617-496-7001 or email haa_collegealumniprograms@harvard.edu. For information about accessible parking, transportation, please visit commencement.harvard.edu/guests-disabilities.

Accessible Seating Details: The accessible seating section is located adjacent to University Hall and will be clearly marked with the International Symbol of Access (a figure in a wheelchair). Once a request is made for accessible seating, graduating seniors will exchange their guest ticket(s) for an accessible seating ticket(s); exchange details will be provided via email once the request is made. One companion accessible seating ticket is available to each guest in the accessible section; however, when space is available, best efforts will be made to seat a limited number of additional guests (without accessible seating tickets) with the understanding that they may need to relocate if an accessible seating ticket holder needs the space.

What if family or friends from overseas require a visa?
Family and friends visiting the U.S. will most likely need to apply for a visitor visa. The process may vary widely by region and country. This process could take a long time to complete, so please start working on this sooner rather than later. For more information about the specifics of this process, please visit hio.harvard.edu/b-visa. Individuals will need to contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home countries for specific instructions on the visa application process and processing times. If family members or friends require invitation letters for this process, students should reach out directly to their Allston Burr Resident Dean, whose contact information can be found at osl.fas.harvard.edu/house-deans.

Is parking available during commencement week?
For the Class of 2020 Family Reception, complimentary parking is available at the 52 Oxford Street Garage on a first-come, first-served basis. On Class Day and Commencement Day, complimentary parking is available on campus in Allston on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit the Harvard Transportation & Parking office at transportation.harvard.edu/parking.

Do children need tickets to events?
All children—except for infants under the age of one—require tickets for all events except for the Class Day Picnic. For the Class Day Picnic and House Luncheon, a ticket is required for each bagged lunch.

Will commencement week activities be available for online viewing? 
The Class Day Exercises, Morning Exercises, and Afternoon Program will be streamed online at harvard.edu/live-stream.

How do I get a copy of the 2020 Harvard College yearbook?
To order the Class of 2020 Harvard Yearbook or a parent congratulatory Parent Ad, visit harvardyearbook.com/forms/yearbook . If there are questions about the Yearbook, please email inquiries@harvardyearbook.com.

How do seniors order the class photograph?
Orders can be placed online. Students can also pick up an order form at the time the photograph is taken. The cost is $35 for the color photograph, $40 for the laminated photograph, and $135 framed, plus shipping and tax (where applicable). Discounted pricing is available until May 31 for orders placed online.

Where can I get graduation-related merchandise?
The Coop offers personalized graduation announcements and the largest selection of diploma frames with the Harvard Seal, class rings, and Class of 2020 apparel and gifts. The Coop hosts a Grad Fair in the spring that offers great discounts on diploma frames and class rings. Students are encouraged to stay connected and visit the Coop in person or online in early 2020 for Grad Fair dates and to view the selections. 

The Harvard Shop provides personalized graduation announcements. For more information and to order, visit balfour.com/harvard or call 800-433-0296. Contact George Guarneiri, managing director of The Harvard Shop, at george.guarnieri@hsa.net with any questions. The Harvard Shop also offers rings. To view rings for sale, visit The Harvard Shop at 65 Mount Auburn Street from 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, through Friday, May 29. Balfour representatives will be on hand to help order rings and to offer free sizing services.

When do seniors have to vacate their rooms?
All seniors must be out of their rooms by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29. No exceptions.

All other Commencement information can be found by visiting commencement.harvard.edu.

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