General Information
If you have questions about the Commencement events, please call the Office of College Relations at (413) 585-2170. For questions about Reunion events, call the Alumnae Association at (413) 585-2040 or visit their Web site. In case of rain on Commencement Day, call (413) 585-4636 (the college’s information line) after 7:30 a.m. that day.
Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities
Throughout Commencement and Reunion Weekend, every effort will be made to accommodate guests and alumnae with disabilities. Anyone with physical disabilities who wishes to be dropped off near the entry to the Quadrangle for the awards convocation or Commencement ceremony should speak to the police officer at the top of Paradise Road.
Seating
At Commencement and Ivy Day ceremonies, reserved seating will be provided for those in wheelchairs, those who require sign-language interpreters and those who have significant visual impairments or are legally blind. This seating is limited to two per party. To reserve tickets for both events, graduating seniors should submit a disability accommodations request form to the Office of College Relations, or call extension 2170, by Friday, April 13.
Sign Language
Sign language interpreters are routinely provided at Commencement, and a special seating section near the front of the audience will be designated. However, students should still submit a request form (see “Seating” above) for guests to obtain tickets to be seated in this section.
Commencement materials
Large-print Commencement materials for the visually impaired can be requested by seniors on the disability request form (see “Seating” above); the large-print materials can be picked up at the Campus Center information desk on Commencement Weekend. A transcript of the Commencement speaker’s address will be available for download at www.smith.edu/events/commencement.php.
Accessible restrooms
On the Quad, accessible restrooms are located on the first floors of Jordan and Cushing Houses. Emerson House also has a restroom that is accessible from the Emerson dining room ramp. If Commencement is held indoors, the Indoor Track and Tennis Facility has accessible restrooms near the main entrance.
Parking
See the parking facilities section below.
Alumnae Association of Smith College
The Alumnae Association, formed in 1881, organizes alumnae Reunions and assists each class in planning its programs. All alumnae are welcome at the Alumnae House (extension 2020), where they can get information on Reunion activities or make gifts to The Smith Fund. Staff members are available to welcome alumnae, answer questions and provide assistance.
“1776” Non-Reunion Classes
All members of non-reunion classes are welcome to join Reunion festivities. The headquarters for alumnae from non-reunion classes will be the Alumnae House, where ribbons for the Alumnae Parade are available. Alumnae can also purchase tickets for the Thursday dinner, Friday luncheon, Saturday box lunch and Sunday brunch. Breakfast is the only meal served in college dining rooms to 1776 alumnae.
Transform Your Career!
If you are stuck in your career, concerned about being laid-off or doing the work of many people, then it’s time for a change! Whether you want to do your current work in a different sector or change to a completely new line of work, this workshop will put you on the right path to transforming your career. Choose from two sessions: Friday or Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m., led by Colleen O’Mara, AASC associate director of alumnae engagement, at (413) 585-2588 or comara@smith.edu.
Internet Access
Alumnae on campus for Reunion can use the computers in the Mair Reference Room of Neilson Library and in the Campus Center. Assistance is available at Neilson Library on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Caps and Gowns/Bookshop Hours
The Grécourt Bookshop in the Campus Center will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Caps and gowns will still be available for purchase. The bookshop will also be open Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you have questions, please call (413) 585-4140.
Following the diploma circle, seniors may donate their caps, hoods and gowns to future seniors by placing them in the boxes in the Campus Center—by the café and the Student Government Association office on the upper level—and also at each of the 15 lunch locations that day. Those who have borrowed their academic regalia from SGA should return it to the Campus Center Information Desk.
Clothing
New England weather can be volatile and evenings may be quite cool; you may want to dress in layers and be prepared for rain.
Ivy Day Parade and Commencement
Seniors and alumnae participating in Ivy Day activities are asked to wear white; graduating seniors wear dark shoes and alumnae wear white or light shoes. For Commencement, graduating seniors generally wear white attire and dark shoes with their caps, gowns and hoods.
Crossing Elm Street
When crossing Elm Street, please use the manually controlled traffic light at the crosswalk near John M. Greene Hall. If an officer is not on duty, please use the manual traffic light for crossing at Bedford Terrace as well.
Dogs
Only certified guide and service dogs will be allowed on campus. No other dogs are allowed.
Emergencies/Health Problems
Any emergency, including one that may require an ambulance or the Northampton Fire Department, should be reported to the Campus Police, extension 800 (EMERGENCY).
Anyone who is injured or becomes ill while on campus should seek medical attention at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 30 Locust Street, at (413) 582-2000. If the illness or injury appears life-threatening, call Smith extension 800 (or 413-585-2490 from a cell phone) for ambulance service.
Lost and Found
Inquiries about articles lost on campus may be made Thursday through Sunday at the Campus Center information desk, (413) 585-4801. On Monday all unclaimed articles will be taken to the Alumnae House. Smith College and the Alumnae Association are not responsible for lost or stolen articles.
Men’s Restrooms
Men’s restrooms can be found in the Ainsworth/Scott Gymnasium complex, Alumnae House, the Campus Center, Clark Science Center, Hatfield Hall, the Indoor Track and Tennis Facility, John M. Greene Hall, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, the Museum of Art, Neilson Library, Seelye Hall and Wright Hall.
News Reporters and Photographers
Media representatives must have clear identification, worn in full view, to enter the roped-off areas of the campus on Saturday and Sunday. Please notify the News Office, in advance, if your organization plans to report on events through print, radio, television or social media. Contact Kristen Cole, media relations director, at kacole@smith.edu or (413) 585-2190.
Parking and Traffic Regulations
Cars may be left overnight on the street except in posted areas. All parking ordinances, as well as meters, remain in effect for the City of Northampton. Neither the Alumnae Association nor the college will be responsible for fines incurred for parking violations.
Parking Lots
Parking is available at the Smith College parking garage, the Indoor Track and Tennis (ITT) Facility and the stables (all on West Street); the Dickinson parking lot (entrance on Green Street); the Ainsworth Gym (off lower College Lane); and Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts (entrance from Belmont Avenue or West Street/Ahwaga Avenue); there are a few spaces near Sage Hall and at the tennis courts off West Street (across from the stables).
Shuttle Service
Campus shuttles will stop on a regular basis at the Smith College parking garage, and the ITT and stables parking lots, all on West Street. Shuttle service will also be available on a continuous basis from the Alumnae House. Shuttle service is provided for on-campus transportation only. For shuttle service, call 585-2400.
Shuttles will stop at Emerson arch at 7:30, 8 and 8:30 a.m., on Sunday, May 20, to transport alumnae and their luggage. No shuttles will be available from the Quad area after 8:30 a.m.
Parking Prohibited
There is no parking on the central campus at any time, and parking is not permitted in the Quadrangle, on Mandelle Road, on Paradise Road, on Prospect Street, at the Lamont House circle, or at the rear or side of Wilder House between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Sunday. Violators will be towed (see below).
A city of Northampton ordinance prohibits overnight parking on Kensington Avenue except for Kensington Avenue property owners or their tenants.
Parking Facilities for Those With Physical Disabilities
The following campus locations have parking spaces for those with disabilities: the college parking garage, Alumnae House, Ainsworth Gymnasium, Albright-Baldwin Houses, the Chapel, Chase-Duckett Houses, Davis Center, Dewey Hall, Gill Hall, Hubbard House, the ITT, Lamont House Circle, the Lyman Plant House, Northrop-Gillett Houses, Sage Hall, the Smith College Conference Center, Tyler House rear, Wright Hall, Ziskind Drive and 7 College Lane.
Towing
Parking violators will be towed at the owner’s expense; towing questions should be directed to the Campus Police at 585-2490.
Performances
Dance
The Commencement concert of Smith’s exclusive student-run dance company, directed by Lucia Young, will present several new works choreographed and performed by members of the company. Performances: Thursday and Friday, May 17 and 18, 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 19, 2:30 p.m. Scott Dance Studio, Scott Gymnasium. Tickets: $8 general; $5 students/seniors. E-mail celebrat@smith.edu for reservations.
Theatre—Staged Reading
The Strength of Stones, by Samantha Noble ’12. Directed by Kathryn Stewart ’12. Written as part of a fellowship for the Kahn Liberal Arts Institute’s colloquium titled “Evil,” The Strength of Stones follows the evolving relationship of Georgina and Lucy, two isolated students at an Catholic high school. Alone among their peers, they find themselves spiraling into a new understanding of both themselves and the evil at their fingertips. Performances: Thursday and Friday, May 17 and 18, 8:30 p.m., Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts. Free and open to the public.
Smoking Regulations
Smoking is prohibited in all campus buildings, including campus houses, meeting rooms, auditoriums and students’ private rooms.
Sunday Senior Lunch Tickets
Two complimentary Commencement lunch tickets will be mailed by Monday, May 9, to each senior who submits the online senior survey. (Those from Friedman, Tenney and Hopkins; Ada Comstock Scholars; January graduates; and those living off-campus will be assigned to a dining location.) Additional tickets for guests may be purchased at the Dining Services office, 30 Belmont Avenue. (Price: $12 before May 1, $13 after May 1)
After May 9, tickets should be picked up at the Dining Services office (413) 585-2300. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to noon. Tickets will not be available after noon on Saturday (May 19).
Weather
The Senior Candle-Lighting Ceremony, Sophomore Push/Senior Step Sing and Illumination could be canceled in extreme weather conditions, such as lightning, hail or severe winds.
Wireless Internet Access
Wireless access is available in all academic buildings, Neilson Library, Stoddard Hall, the Campus Center and in the common areas of residential houses. Check the schedule that was mailed to you for user name and password information.
