Information for Families & Friends

Commencement celebrates the academic achievement of the Class of 2013 and recognizes the support and contributions of families, faculty and staff. We cordially invite you to attend and assist us in making this a weekend full of enjoyment!

• Families of all faiths are invited to attend the Baccalaureate Masson Saturday, May 18th, at 4:00 p.m. in the Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex. Graduates do not march in procession for the Mass and no academic robes are worn for the occasion. Please plan to sit with your graduate and friends for this important part of the Commencement activities.

Bishop George Coleman of the Diocese of Fall River will celebrate the Mass. Concelebrants will include President Mark Cregan, C.S.C., Vice Presidents and other members of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Accompanied by the Stonehill Chapel Choir, The Cranberry Brass and by Stonehill graduating seniors as liturgical ministers, this regal celebration will end in ample time for all participants to drive to Boston for the gala dinner event.

• Graduates, parents and friends are invited to attend the Commencement Eve Dinner Dance on Saturday, May 18, following the Baccalaureate Mass. The event takes place at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston and is organized by the Office of Student Activities. Transportation is not provided to the Dinner Dance. Each graduate will receive a complimentary ticket for him/herself along with 2 additional free tickets for a total of three (3) complimentary tickets for the event. Additional tickets may be purchased for $65 each (payment can be made by personal check, cash or on a student's Hill Card). Tickets may be obtained by only using the Ticket/Meal Order Form which students will be receiving. Order forms may be turned into the Office of Student Activities beginning Monday, April 22. The last day that ticket forms will be accepted is Friday, May 3. Students will be assigned tables by the Office of Student Activities. Confirmation of meals, number of tickets and seating assignments will be sent to their Stonehill email address as forms are processed. Please contact the Office of Student Activities with any other questions at 508-565-1308.
• Each graduate will receive six (6) tickets for the Commencement Exercises and six (6) engraved keepsake invitations. Personalized graduation announcements are available through Josten's, Inc. for those who are interested. Orders are placed through Josten's directly at http://college.jostens.com
• In case of rain, the exercises will be held in the Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex. We do try to stay outdoors if at all possible, so bring an umbrella and a jacket or sweater. The ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2013, and ends approximately 12:30 p.m. Seating is on a first-come first-serve basis. If the ceremony is held outdoors, there is plenty of standing room for non-ticket holders or you may want to bring a lawn chair for comfort. Guests are invited to watch the ceremony on a large projection screen in Dining Commons "A" or the Hemingway Theatre and classroom 101 in the Duffy Academic Center. All locations will have it televised, rain or shine.
• Accessible seating will be available for guests with mobility difficulties or physical disabilities. Please contact Nancy Dunsing at 508-565-1311 or e-mail ndunsing@stonehill.edu
• The Commencement Exercises will be videotaped in their entirety, as a service provided for the graduates by the Alumni Office. Seniors will receive ordering information prior to graduation.
• Each graduate will be photographed as he or she receives a diploma cover. Commencement Photos, Inc. will be sending you information about their services in early April. You may visit their wwebsite at: http://www.commencementphotos.com
• Parking for graduates, families and guests will be in areas designated on the morning of graduation. Parking assistants will be on campus to direct you to available parking. Handicap parking will be available in Lot #3 - Old Student Union parking lot. Please have the handicap decal visible in your car. Lot 3 will also serve as a drop off area. For safety, we do not allow vehicles to drop off guests in the roadway.
• On Sunday morning, coffee and/or water will be available from 9:00 a.m. until the end of the ceremony (unless the ceremony is moved inside).
• The Commencement Exercise is held outdoors and will not be under a tent so please dress accordingly.
• Guests are urged not to bring pets to the ceremony!
• Please plan to arrive early in order to avoid traffic congestion and to select good seating. Please understand that sections of the seating must be reserved for graduates, faculty, dignitaries' guests and the media.
• Click Area hotels for a list of local accommodations and restaurants.

Moving students out of the Residence Halls

• Graduating seniors have until 6:00 PM on Commencement day to check out of their rooms. In order to avoid traffic issues and speed up the move-out process, it is strongly recommended that students remove their belongings from their rooms prior to the Commencement ceremony.

• The College does provide a limited number of pushcarts for students to transport their belongings, and they are available on a first-come, first-serve basis; however, we strongly advise students and families to bring their own dollies/hand trucks in case a pushcart is not readily available.

• For moving purposes after Commencement, students and families may park in any residence hall lot, Lot 4 (Duffy), Lot 17, Lot 15 (Roche Commons East), Lot 2 (MacPhaidin Library South), Lot 9 (MacPhaidin Library North), Lot 3 (Old Student Union) and Lot 11 (Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex). Please park only in lined parking spaces. Cars may not pull up to the front of the residence halls, as these areas must remain clear for emergency vehicle access.
• Please try to limit your time in the residence hall lots to 20-30 minutes at a time, so that others have the convenience of loading their vehicles in close proximity to the building. Please move your vehicle as soon as it is packed. Vehicles not being used for moving items should be parked in Lot 17.
• Please follow the directions of our Campus Police officers. We also ask for your patience and understanding, as this is one of the busier times of the academic year for our staff members.
• Seniors living in New Hall and DuLac should check out with an RA at New Hall. Seniors living in Colonial Court should check out at Endicott. Seniors living in Commonwealth Court should check out at Ipswich. The RA staff will collect keys and process checkouts only after a student has fully moved out of his/her room.
• For questions on move-out day, you may call Campus Police at 508-565-5555. Officers will also be posted around campus to provide assistance and answer questions. In addition, Residence Life staff members will be available at Endicott, Ipswich, and New Hall to answer any questions about room inspections, returning keys, and the end of the year damage assessment process.