COMMENCEMENT
2020 A Guide for Graduates and Guests
Congratulations to the Class of 2020!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The university looks forward to welcoming you to Commencement 2020. It is a special time for graduates, guests and the Bentley community. This brochure provides general information to help plan for this milestone occasion.
FRIDAY, MAY 15
Contact the Commencement Office directly with questions at 781-891-2400 or commencement@bentley.edu.
All ceremonies will take place in the Commencement tent on South Campus. The end times listed are approximate.
Undergraduate Baccalaureate 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Graduates should meet in the Dana Center Gym no later than 12:30 p.m. Undergraduate Presidential Reception to follow
Graduate and PhD Commencement 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Graduates should meet in the Dana Center Gym no later than 4:00 p.m. Reception to follow
SATURDAY, MAY 16 Undergraduate Commencement 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Graduates should meet in the Dana Center Gym no later than 8:30 a.m. Reception to follow
GENERAL INFORMATION ACCOMMODATIONS We strongly recommend making hotel room reservations as soon as possible. Many other Boston-area colleges and universities hold graduation ceremonies during the same time as Bentley University. There is a limited block of rooms available at the Westin-Waltham Hotel, located on Third Avenue in Waltham. Rooms are $239 per night. The rate is available until Thursday, April 23, 2020. To make reservations, contact the hotel at 888-627-8455. For more information, see the “Visiting Bentley” section on the website.
BOOKSTORE The bookstore is located in Collins Hall. Stop by to purchase diploma frames, gifts, greeting cards, snacks and drinks. Flowers, Bentley apparel and gifts will be available at a location near the Commencement tent.
INVITATIONS Graduation invitations are available for purchase through the Bentley bookstore for those who are interested. To order, please contact the bookstore at 781-891-3107.
PARKING AND SHUTTLES Traffic will be heavy and it’s recommended you arrive early. Once on campus, University Police will direct guests to available parking. There will be limited parking available on South Campus. Shuttle service will be available from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15 and from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. The shuttle will transport guests from the main parking lots to the Commencement site on South Campus. To avoid traffic backup, please do not drop guests off at the site.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
There will be visible security on campus. Please be prepared to have your bags checked upon entering the Commencement site. Backpacks are not permitted but small bags are allowed. If you see something suspicious, contact a Bentley staff member or University Police at 781-891-3131.
There will be food and beverage options available for purchase on Friday and Saturday.
SEVERE WEATHER AND EMERGENCIES
For online purchases, visit bentley.bncollege.com.
Ceremonies take place under a tent, rain or shine. Please dress accordingly. There will be an option to view the ceremony on screens in the Dana Center Gym. If severe weather does occur, visit bentley.edu and follow @bentley.edu on Twitter for updated information.
CEREMONY INFORMATION BACCALAUREATE Baccalaureate honors and celebrates the undergraduate class of 2020. During the ceremony, students, faculty and staff come together to share their advice, experiences, and memories of their time at Bentley University. Please note the conferring of degrees occurs at the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony, not at Baccalaureate. The Undergraduate Presidential Reception is to follow.
CEREMONY TICKETS Tickets are not required to attend the ceremonies.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS The 2020 Commencement speakers will be announced on the “Ceremonies” section on our website in the spring.
PHOTOGRAPHY Grad Images takes professional photos of the graduates. There is no obligation to purchase these photographs. To pre-register, visit gradimages.com, click on registration, search for Bentley University, and enter your contact information. After the ceremony, photos will become available within one week. Guests may not approach the stage for personal photos.
REGALIA Academic 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 undergraduate students and $60 for graduate students. Please note that undergraduate regalia differs from graduate regalia. PhD candidates have the option of renting or purchasing their regalia. Bentley University offers to pay for those who choose to rent regalia.
SEATING FOR GUESTS Seating is first-come, first-served. Saving seats prior to Commencement is not permitted. 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 items used to hold seats. On Friday, May 15, the tent opens at 12:30 p.m. for Undergraduate Baccalaureate, and reopens at 4:00 p.m. for the Graduate and PhD Commencement. On Saturday, May 16, the tent opens at 7:00 a.m. Out of respect for the graduates, all guests should remain seated until the ceremony ends.
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE Bentley University is committed to improving the accessibility 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 dedicated section under the tent for those who require special assistance. Please know the view from this section
is no better than any other sections. It is simply an area that is convenient for golf carts and wheelchairs. The enclosed map displays the special assistance seating section. If you or someone else is in need of special assistance seating, please visit the “Visiting Bentley� section of the website and complete the form by Friday, May 1. Handicapped Parking Parking is available for visitors with a government-issued handicap plate or placard in Lot 20, by the Arena on South Campus. Parking is first-come, first-served. Golf Carts Visitors with limited mobility may request transport service from all lots. 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 requesting golf cart service, so those who truly need assistance may be accommodated. Wheelchairs Wheelchairs 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 Supply 185 Belmont Street Belmont, MA 02478 Phone: 617-484-3888
POSTCOMMENCEMENT RECEPTION Following all Commencement ceremonies, graduates and guests are welcome to attend a reception held at the Bentley Arena.
RESIDENCE HALLS MOVE OUT Graduates are asked to be moved out of the dorms by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. Traffic and congestion is heavy on that day so it is encouraged to plan ahead and send items home in advance of Commencement day.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION The Alumni Association welcomes the Class of 2020. For ways to stay involved, contact the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement at 781-891-2000 or alumni@bentley.edu.
Lot 20 Handicapped Placard Parking
ACC
Limited Access
ESS
RO
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The Bentley Arena
= General = Reserved = Students = Senior Class Leadership = Special Assistance
ACCE
BEAVER STREET
* Grad ceremony seating is similar
SS R OAD
Handicap Entrance
Copley South
LACROSSE FIELD
Main Entrance COPLEY CIRCLE
Copley North
MAIN
STAG
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Main Entrance Fenway
FIE
LD
Main Entrance RO
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SOUTH CAMPUS QUAD
Maintenance
Dana Center
E A L U M N I D R IV
BEAVER STREET
FA L C O
Limited Access FOREST ST.
Restricted Parking
Restricted Parking
FA L C O
A N W
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Restricted Parking
AY N W
COMMENCEMENT CAMPUS MAP
Undergraduate Commencement Tent Seating Chart
MAIN STAGE
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION For general questions, contact the Commencement Office at 781-891-2400 or commencement@bentley.edu. Other helpful contacts are listed below. Alumni Career Services If you are graduating or an alumnus/a of the university, and need career guidance, please contact the Pulsifer Career Development Center at 781-891-2164.
= RESTROOMS = INFORMATION AND SERVICE TENT = BOOKSTORE/FLOWERS POP-UP TENT = AMBULANCE = STUDENT/FACULTY/TRUSTEE CHECK-IN = RECEPTION = REFRESHMENT TENTS = EMERGENCY PHONES = HANDICAPPED PARKING = VISITOR PARKING = SHUTTLE STOP = FOOD COURT = INDOOR OVERFLOW VIEWING = GOLF CART PICK UP/DROP OFF = WATER STATION
= RESTROOMS Bentley in the Bahamas If you are an undergraduate Bentley = INFORMATION AND SERVICE TENT student= BOOKSTORE/FLOWERS who is eligible to participate in POP-UP TENT the Bentley in the Bahamas trip, please visit the= AMBULANCE Student Life page on our website = STUDENT/FACULTY/TRUSTEE CHECK-IN or email ga_Bahamas@bentley.edu with questions. = RECEPTION
Registrar’s Office = REFRESHMENT TENTS For questions regarding degree require= EMERGENCY PHONES ments, email ga_registrar@bentley.edu. = HANDICAPPED PARKING
Office of Alumni and VISITOR PARKING Family= Engagement For information about your regional alumni = SHUTTLE STOP chapter= FOOD and ways to stay involved with COURT Bentley University, please contact the = INDOOR OVERFLOW VIEWING Office of Alumni and Family Engagement = GOLF CART PICK UP/DROP OFF at 781-891-2000. = WATER STATION University Police For a medical or safety emergency, please contact University Police. The main line is 781-891-3131.
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Bookstore To purchase commemorative items such as diploma frames, rings and more, PICK contact= DIPLOMA the store atUP 781-891-3107.
BENTLEY UNIVERSITY 175 Forest Street Waltham, Massachusetts 02452 USA