Information for Graduates
Pre-Commencement Planning
Commencement Information and Diploma Form
All graduating students will receive a Qualtrics form sent by Yaniris Fernandez to your Hampshire email address. Please make sure to fill this out. If you have questions please email ymfPR@hampshire.edu.
Graduate Names
Pronunciation
In order for us to ensure that we pronounce your name correctly during Commencement activities, all graduating students will receive an email from NameCoach with a unique link that will allow you to log in and record your name. It is important that you do this in advance to assist us in reading names correctly during the ceremony. If you need technical assistance with NameCoach, please send an email to support@name-coach.com. If you have further questions please contact the Office of the Dean of Faculty at 413.559.5378 or dof@hampshire.edu.
At the Event
You will receive a name card at registration Saturday morning in Franklin Patterson Hall beginning at 9:00 a.m. to present to the dean when crossing the stage. Do not change or exchange your card. If you have a concern about the pronunciation of your name, someone will be at the registration table to assist you. Make sure you have your name card with you at all times.
An usher will indicate when each row is to go up to the stage. Make sure you have your name card with you. You will be guided to the entering side of the stage. Staff will give your name card to the dean of faculty, who will read your name and prompt you to cross the stage. Stand on the marked spot on the stage (an "X") to meet the President. After the President congratulates you, you will leave the stage on the other side and go directly back to your seat. Graduating students must be in their seats after all the names are read, so degrees can be conferred by the President. The commencement ceremony is over at this point, and you may leave to meet your families and friends.
Diplomas
Diplomas are digital and are handled by the Office of the Dean of Faculty. To receive a diploma, you must not have any holds on your account (e.g., overdue library materials, unpaid balance on your student account, etc.). You should check your student account on TheHub to confirm if you have a balance due, and, if possible, be sure to settle your student account by the Friday before Commencement, at noon. After Commencement, you will receive an email from Parchment asking you to claim your digital diploma as well as verify the address you want your actual diploma mailed to.
If you have a question about a library hold, please contact Suzanne Karanakis (413.559.5762 or smkLO@hampshire.edu). Questions about holds from the business office should be directed to the Student Accounts Office. Please note that diploma holds cannot be cleared on the date of Commencement.
Cap and Gown Ordering Information
If you would like to use your Hamp Dollars for your cap and gown, please use the size chart here and send your size and preferred color to Tammy at the Hampstore (tryan@hampshire.edu) by May 1, 2024. Please write CAP AND GOWN ORDER in the subject line. Tammy will email you when the items are ready for pickup. There is a sample cap and gown at the Hampstore if you want to check it out in person. If you want to purchase a cap and gown directly, you may do so here.
First-Generation College Student Information
First-generation students are invited to request a first generation cord to wear at commencement by emailing akretschmar@hampshire.edu.
Division III Title Changes
Students can change their Division III titles directly on TheHub without having to revise their entire contracts. From the evaluation menu, there is a new link under "Division III" called "Change My Division III Title." Students can complete this form anytime until their Division IIIs are evaluated by their chairs.
Important Note: Due to publication deadlines, the title listed on the May Commencement program is the title on the Division III contract on the pass date. The titles will be shared with the Dean of Faculty Office and Central Records. It is therefore strongly recommended that students consult with their Division III chairpersons and confirm that the title on the contract is consistent with the title submitted to the committee and the one they want listed on the commencement program.
Commencement Procession and Seating
Day of Check-In
Registration begins on Saturday, May 18 in the Franklin Patterson Hall lobby at 9 a.m.
Line up
Lining up for the Commencement procession begins at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 18 in the Franklin Patterson Hall courtyard. Participants line up in the following order: pipers, staff convener, president, trustee chair, dean of faculty, keynote speaker, student moderators, student speaker, deans, trustees, faculty, alumni, and students. There is no alphabetical order for graduates, so you may process with wherever you choose. The procession begins at 10:45 a.m. sharp! Note, you cannot join the procession after it begins.
Seating
Please take your seats as quickly as possible. As you process into the tent find a seat and fill the rows. Due to the quick nature of this, please note that it might not be possible to sit with all your friends.
Schedule of Events
Please review the Commencement schedule for a full list of the weekend's events including key pre-Commencement gatherings, showcases, and more.
Important post-Commencement Information
Residences Closing
All residents must be completely moved out of campus housing, have returned their keys to the Residence Life and Housing Office, and have left the campus by noon on Sunday, May 19. Graduating residents will be permitted to move out on Monday, May 20, if they need the extra day. Residents who return keys late will be billed a $100 per day late-stay charge.