COMMENCEMENT 2018A Guide for Graduates and GuestsFriday, May 18 to Saturday, May 19

Greetings to Class of 2018 Graduates and Guests!The Bentley community looks forward to welcoming you for Commencement 2018. It is a special time for new graduates and their families, and also for the university. Here is some general information to help you plan for this milestone occasion.

Contact the Commencement Office directly with specific questions, by phone at 781.891.2400 or email commencement@bentley.edu.

Schedule of EventsAll ceremonies take place on South Campus, under a tent on the football field. The end times for each are approximate.

Friday, May 18Baccalaureate 4:00 to 5:15 p.m.

Saturday, May 19Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Graduate and PhD Commencement Ceremony 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Academic ProcessionBaccalaureateUndergraduate students: Meet in the Dana Center Gym at 3:00 p.m. The procession begins at 3:45 p.m.

CommencementUndergraduate students: Meet in the Dana Center Gym at 9:00 a.m. The procession begins at 9:45 a.m.

Graduate and PhD candidates: Meet in the Dana Center Gym at 2:00 p.m. The procession begins at 2:45 p.m.

Academic RegaliaAcademic regalia — cap, tassel, hood and gown — is required for participation in the Commencement ceremonies. The cost of the cap, gown and tassel is $55 for under-graduate students and $60 for graduate students. Please note that undergraduate regalia differs from graduate regalia. Bentley University provides regalia to PhD candi-dates. There will be more information on how to place orders in the spring.

For general regalia questions, contact the Registrar’s office at 781.891.2177.

General InformationBACCALAUREATEBaccalaureate honors and celebrates the undergraduate class of 2018 and wel-comes seniors into the ranks of educated men and women. During the ceremony, students, faculty, and staff come together to share their advice, experiences and memories of their time at Bentley. Scripture readings, reflections and songs are also shared as the community celebrates the achievements of the class of 2018. Families, friends, and members of the community are welcome to attend.

BOOKSTORELocated in Collins Hall, the bookstore is open during the days and times noted below. Stop by to purchase diploma frames, gifts, greeting cards, snacks and drinks. Flowers, Bentley apparel and gifts are also available at a location near the Commencement tent.

For online purchases, visit bentley.bncollege.com.

Bookstore Hours Friday, May 18, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, May 20, Closed

Bookstore Tent HoursSaturday, May 19, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

FOOD AND BEVERAGEOn Saturday, coffee and water will be avail-able at 7:00 a.m. There will also be a retail tent that will offer more substantial food and beverage options for purchase which will open at 8:00 a.m.

For dining recommendations off campus, visit bentley.edu/family-dines.

HOMETOWN NEWS RELEASEThe News and Communications depart-ment at Bentley distributes a general announcement about the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies to the national media via PR Newswire and to local media on the day of Commencement.

In addition, the department provides a news release template that families can personalize with information and accom-plishments specific to the graduate, and then send to their preferred hometown media. There will be a template available on the “Students” section on the website in the spring.

COMMENCEMENT INVITATIONSGeneral announcements of graduation may be picked up at the Registrar’s office. Each student is offered five announcements. Additional announcements are available through the Bentley bookstore for those who are interested. To order, please con-tact the bookstore at 781.891.3107.

PHOTOGRAPHSThe university hires a professional photog-rapher who will take a photo as graduates shake hands with university dignitaries. There is no obligation to purchase these photographs. The company hired by Bentley is Grad Images. To order photo samples, go online to gradimages.com, click on pre-event registration and search for Bentley University. Please pre-register your email address to receive photo samples soon after the event.

Please remain seated during the ceremony. The professional photographer takes pic-tures during the ceremony; afterward there is ample time to take personal photos.

LimitedAccess

LACROSSE FIELD

MAIN STAGE

Undergraduate Commencement Tent Seating Chart

*Grad ceremony seating is similar

MAIN STAGE= General

= Reserved

= Students

= Class Cabinet

= Special Assistance

BE

AV

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ST

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ET

FOREST ST.

BE

AV

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ST

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ET

AL

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RIV

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CEDAR HILL LANE

FALCON WAY

FALCON WAY

ACCESS ROAD

FOREST STREET

FIELD ROAD

AC

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SS

RO

AD

= DIPLOMA PICK-UP

= RESTROOMS

= INFORMATION/LOST & FOUND

= BOOKSTORE/FLOWERS POP-UP TENT

= AMBULANCE

= STUDENT/FACULTY/TRUSTEE CHECK-IN

= POST-COMMENCEMENT RECEPTION

= REFRESHMENT TENTS

= EMERGENCY PHONES

= HANDICAPPED PARKING

= VISITOR PARKING

= SHUTTLE STOP

= FOOD COURT

= INDOOR OVERFLOW VIEWING

= GOLF CART PICKUP/DROPOFF

KEY

Commencement MapHandicappedPlacard Parking

Lot 20

RestrictedParking

RestrictedParking

RestrictedParking

LimitedAccess

SOUTHCAMPUS

QUAD

COPLEYCIRCLE

Dana Center

Arena

Maintenance

Copley North

Copley South

Fenway

Main Entrance

Main Entrance

Main Entrance

Handicap Entrance

COMMENCEMENT CAMPUS MAP

LimitedAccess

LACROSSE FIELD

MAIN STAGE

Undergraduate Commencement Tent Seating Chart

*Grad ceremony seating is similar

MAIN STAGE= General

= Reserved

= Students

= Class Cabinet

= Special Assistance

BE

AV

ER

ST

RE

ET

FOREST ST.

BE

AV

ER

ST

RE

ET

AL

UM

NI D

RIV

E

CEDAR HILL LANE

FALCON WAY

FALCON WAY

ACCESS ROAD

FOREST STREET

FIELD ROAD

AC

CE

SS

RO

AD

= DIPLOMA PICK-UP

= RESTROOMS

= INFORMATION/LOST & FOUND

= BOOKSTORE/FLOWERS POP-UP TENT

= AMBULANCE

= STUDENT/FACULTY/TRUSTEE CHECK-IN

= POST-COMMENCEMENT RECEPTION

= REFRESHMENT TENTS

= EMERGENCY PHONES

= HANDICAPPED PARKING

= VISITOR PARKING

= SHUTTLE STOP

= FOOD COURT

= INDOOR OVERFLOW VIEWING

= GOLF CART PICKUP/DROPOFF

KEY

Commencement MapHandicappedPlacard Parking

Lot 20

RestrictedParking

RestrictedParking

RestrictedParking

LimitedAccess

SOUTHCAMPUS

QUAD

COPLEYCIRCLE

Dana Center

Arena

Maintenance

Copley North

Copley South

Fenway

Main Entrance

Main Entrance

Main Entrance

Handicap Entrance

Important Contact InformationFor general questions, contact the Commencement Office at 781.891.2400 or commencement@bentley.edu. Other helpful contacts are listed below.

Alumni Career ServicesIf you are graduating or an alumnus/a of the university, and need career guidance, please contact Alumni Career Services at 781.891.2164.

BookstoreTo purchase commemorative items such as diploma frames, rings and more, contact the store at 781.891.3107.

Commencement WeekFor more information about activities planned for undergraduates, visit bentley.edu/commencement-week.

Registrar’s Office For questions regarding academic regalia or degree requirements, call 781.891.2177.

The Center for Alumni, Parents and FriendsFor information about your regional alumni chapter and ways to stay involved with Bentley University, please contact the Center for Alumni, Parents and Friends at 781.891.2025.

University PoliceIf you see something to report or otherwise need to contact University Police, the main line is 781.891.3131.

SPEAKERSThe 2018 Commencement speakers will be announced on the “Ceremonies” section on the website in the spring.

TICKETSTickets are not required to attend the ceremonies.

AccommodationsWe strongly recommend making hotel room reservations as soon as possible. Many other Boston-area colleges and uni-versities hold graduation ceremonies during the same time as Bentley. There is a limited block of rooms at the Westin-Waltham Hotel, located on Third Avenue in Waltham. There is also a discount available at the Residence Inn by Marriott on Arsenal Street in Watertown.

For more on these promotions, visit the “Hotels and Dining” section on the website.

Parking and ShuttlesTraffic will be heavy that weekend and it’s recommended to arrive early. Once on campus, University Police will direct guests to available parking on main campus. There will be limited parking available on South Campus.

Shuttle service will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will transport guests from the main parking lots to the commencement site. To avoid traffic backup, please do not drop guests off at the site.

Safety and SecurityThere will be visible security on campus. Please be prepared to have your bags checked upon entering campus. If you see something suspicious, contact a Bentley staff member or the University Police at 781.891.3131.

Seating and AccessibilitySEATING FOR GUESTSSeating is first-come, first-served. Saving seats prior to Commencement is not per-mitted. If your family or group would like to sit together at the ceremony, please arrive together. Ushers are instructed to remove signs, tape and other devices attached to seats. The tent opens at 7:00 a.m.

Out of respect for graduates, all guests should remain seated until the ceremony ends.

ACCESSIBILITYBentley is committed to improving acces- sibility and providing accommodations for those with mobility, visual or hearing impairments. The ceremonies are closed- captioned on video monitors located throughout the tent. There is a sign- language interpreter at the ceremony and reserved seating upon request.

To reserve seating for the person in need and one guest, please complete the form posted online by Thursday, May 10: bentley.edu/forms/assistance.

Please know the views from this section are no better than any other section. It is simply in an area that is convenient for golf carts and wheelchairs. The enclosed map displays the special assistance seating section.

Golf CartsVisitors with limited mobility, who do not have a handicap plate or government- issued placard, may request transport service from all lots on the main campus. Upon entering any parking lot, please inform the parking attendant and a golf cart will be summoned. Bentley kindly requests that visitors without mobility issues refrain from golf cart service, so those who truly need assistance may be accommodated.

Handicap ParkingParking is available for visitors with a government-issued handicap placard or license plate; they may park in Lot 20 on the South Campus. Parking is first-come, first-served.

WheelchairsWheelchairs are available to transport those in need from the parking lots to the seats. Those who require a wheelchair for the whole ceremony should bring their own. Rentals are available through:

Belmont Medical Supply185 Belmont Street Belmont, MA 02478 Phone: 617.484.3888

Severe Weather and EmergenciesCeremonies take place under a tent, rain or shine. Please dress accordingly. If it does rain heavily on the day of the ceremony, there will be an additional option to view the ceremonies on a screen in the Dana Center. However, if extreme severe weather does occur, visit the Bentley website and follow our social media channels for updat-ed information.

Post-CommencementDIPLOMA PICK UPDiplomas are not distributed on stage during the Commencement ceremony. Directly after the ceremony, they may be picked up at Copley Circle. Students who do not retrieve their diploma should contact the Registrar’s Office at 781.891.2177.

RECEPTIONDirectly after the Undergraduate and Grad-uate Commencement ceremonies, gradu-ates and guests are welcome to attend a reception held at South Campus Quad.

UNIVERSITY RESIDENCE HALLS MOVE OUTTo help avoid prolonged delays and heavy traffic after the ceremonies, please follow these recommendations:

n In advance of Commencement, send home items no longer needed, e.g., winter clothing

n Prior to Commencement Week, pack up any items not needed on a daily basis

n Because traffic is at a higher volume directly after the ceremonies, it is recommended to move out before the ceremony or wait a few hours after Commencement

2.2M1/18PC.MC.494.17

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