General Information

Gates

Please note: Commencement for 2013 will be held on Thursday, May 30th, 2013.

Welcome to the online information resource of Harvard University's Commencement Office. Here you will find a wealth of logistical information, helpful tips, and background material. Some of the most commonly sought after items include: the schedule of events, ticket, map and contact information from the Harvard University Commencement Office.
Academic Regalia

All degree candidates must wear academic regalia (caps and gowns) to the Commencement Morning Exercises. Regalia may be ordered through the Harvard Coop for distribution in May. Degree candidates will receive ordering instructions from their undergraduate House or Graduate/Professional School.
Guests with Disabilities

There is a reserved and accessible seating section available for individuals with disabilities in Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement Day.

Additional information can be found here.
Restrooms

Restrooms for the general public are located in the following buildings:

  • Weld Hall
  • Thayer Hall
  • Sever Hall

These restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
First Aid Stations

First Aid stations on Commencement Day are situated in the following locations:

  • Weld Hall - Room 11
  • Thayer Hall - Room 106
  • Sever Hall - Room 112
Water Stations

Water stations are located along the perimeter of Tercentenary Theatre and will be clearly marked.  Their locations are:

  • Widener Library steps
  • Weld Hall - porch north
  • Weld Hall - northeast entrance
  • Thayer Hall - south steps
  • Sever Hall - main entrance
  • College Pump - near Hollis Hall
Parking and Shuttle Services

Parking at Harvard University during Commencement Week is extremely limited. Please view updated information regarding Commencement Parking at the following link:

http://www.campusservices.harvard.edu/parking/information-for-commencement-2013-parking


All questions regarding Parking at Harvard University should be directed to:

Harvard Campus Service Center - Parking
Holyoke Center, 8th Floor
1350 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
617.496.7827

Email: parking@harvard.edu
Web: http://www.campusservices.harvard.edu/parking/

Harvard University Passenger Transport Services will be providing bus and van service throughout the day and night on Class & Commencement Day. 
Please call 617-495-0400 or refer to their web site for further information:
Public Transportation

The Harvard Square stop on the MBTA's Red Line subway is directly across the street from Harvard Yard. The Harvard Commuter Choice Program website describes the various routes to Harvard Square using public transportation. Please note: Acrobat Reader is required to view and print this information.
Televised Viewing

The Commencement Morning Exercises and the afternoon Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association are televised live for guests who are unable to attend these campus events.

The broadcast times are:  9:00 AM - 11:30 AM and 1:45 PM - 4:30 PM and can be seen on Comcast Cable (channel 283) in Boston/Brookline and Cambridge/Greater Boston.
Webcast Viewing

The live webcast may be viewed via computer from the following Harvard websites:
DVD Recordings

Broadcast-quality, multiple-camera DVD recordings are available of the Commencement Morning Exercises as well as the afternoon Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association. These DVDs are intended to be a permanent record of the day's events held in Tercentenary Theatre. They both include coverage of the processions with commentary leading up to the actual platform proceedings. The Undergraduate Class Day Exercises (Wednesday afternoon) are also available on DVD.

For purchase of, or information about these DVDs, contact Commencement Video at (617) 884-6000 or bobbydm@comcast.net.
Radio Broadcast

The complete Thursday morning and afternoon excercises will be carried live on Harvard's radio station, WHRB (95.3 FM, streamed at www.whrb.org) beginning with coverage of the academic procession beginning a little before 9 am.

WHRB's Commencement broadcasts began over half a century ago, in 1957, adding in recent years the Phi Beta Kappa Literary Excercises and Baccalaureate service on Tuesday (11 am, c. 2 pm) and Class Day on Wednesday (2 pm). For more information on these broadcasts or WHRB, see their website, www.whrb.org, where there is a program guide and much more.