To: Graduating seniors and their families and friends, faculty and staff
From: Ken Walsh, Director of Public Safety, and Sheilah Shaw Horton, Vice President and Dean of Students
Re: Commencement safety guidelines
Date: May 14, 2024
We are looking forward to celebrating the class of 2024 this Friday, May 17. Please find below some important information that will help us all have a wonderful celebration.
Parking passes required for visitors
Graduating seniors participating in commencement ceremonies are asked to reserve parking passes for their guests who plan to park on campus. Seniors must provide the email address of one person per vehicle on this form, and the College will email them a pass approximately one hour after it is submitted. Guests should print the email and display it clearly on their dashboard or have it ready to display on their phones upon arriving on campus. Seniors are allowed to reserve up to five passes. Please note that vehicles without a pass may be denied entry.
Parking staff will be highly visible on site and will direct guests to designated parking areas when they enter campus. Accessible parking will be available.
Faculty and staff can park in the Davis garage; IDs will be required for access.
Large bags and luggage prohibited
Commencement attendees are prohibited from bringing large bags, luggage, backpacks, and other large containers to any commencement activities. Please know that all such bags and containers will be subject to search. Attendees are also asked not to leave personal property unattended at any time.
In the event unattended property is discovered, it may be inspected in place, removed, and searched by College officials to determine its owner. To recover property, visit the Wellesley College Police Department in the Davis Parking Facility or call 781-283-2121 (ext. 2121 on campus) to inquire about specific removed or recovered property.
Conduct guidelines and prohibited items
Commencement is a time to honor and congratulate the members of the class of 2024, and they—and their friends and families—deserve a celebration worthy of their accomplishments; therefore, respectful conduct is expected at all times, and interfering with the program or interrupting any speaker on stage is prohibited. Nonverbal protests and nondisruptive small signs, mortarboard decorations, special clothing, props, or other silent protests will be permitted without intervention.
Wellesley College’s demonstration policy requires notification to the College in advance of a demonstration. As the event will be held outdoors, sound amplification devices for the purpose of protest will not be permitted around the commencement tent.
Any individuals who cause a significant disruption of the event, such as shouting or interrupting the speakers, will be required to leave the premises immediately.
A designated protest area will be available on campus, and student protestors should be prepared to share Wellesley IDs. Anyone who does not have a current Wellesley ID will be escorted off campus.
The following items are prohibited:
- Noisemakers, bullhorns, megaphones, or other sound amplifiers
- Large signs, banners, flags, posters, or other items that may unreasonably obstruct the view of any participant or guest
- Any other item which could potentially compromise safety or disrupt College operations or activities
Thank you for observing these guidelines. We want this celebration to be a joyful one for our seniors, their families and friends, and our community.
