Essential Information
Commencement is an important event for you, your family, and the entire University community. To participate in this event, eligible graduate students need to take several steps:
REGALIA: To participate in the pomp and pageantry of this event, eligible graduate students need to rent or purchase academic regalia. If you haven’t ordered yet, do so as soon as possible. You must wear regalia appropriate for your degree to participate in the procession and ceremony. There are no exceptions to this rule. You can order your academic regalia by phone or in person at the Brown Bookstore. Master’s candidates need a gown and a cap or tam. PhD candidates need a gown, cap or tam, and a hood.
REHEARSAL: Saturday, May 25, at 2 pm at Simmons Quadrangle. All graduating master’s and PhD students are expected to attend this rehearsal. See full schedule for additional details.
PROCESSION LINEUP: By 8:45 am on Sunday, May 26, report to the Graduate School lineup area on Waterman Street. See schedule for additional instructions.
CEREMONIES: The Graduate School Ceremony is on Simmons Quadrangle. The procession will arrive around 10:00 am and the ceremony will begin around 10:15 am. After its conclusion, graduating students are encouraged to attend the University Ceremony on the Main Green. Seats are reserved for graduate students.
WEBCAST: The Graduate School procession and full ceremony will be streamed live on the Brown University website.
SEATING: Seating inside the tent on Simmons Quadrangle is limited. The front half of the tent is reserved for graduating students and faculty mentors. Family and friends are welcome in the remaining sections, exterior seating, and in the simulcast area. The videocast provided in Metcalf Friedman Auditorium [insert map link} will include the entrance of the procession, speakers, awards, student’s receiving their degrees, and the hooding of PhD candidates.
BRUnet: Graduating students should sign up with BRUnet, Brown’s career network for alumni and students. Join today to become one of the more than 5,400 alumni members who share their professional experiences and expertise through informational interviews.
Storm Plan: In the event of severe storm conditions, the storm plan will go into effect. The University procession will be canceled. By 9 a.m., Ph.D. candidates should report directly to the west-facing entrance of Barus and Holley (the eastern end of Manning Walk) and Master’s recipients should report to the lobby of MacMillan Hall. They will line up for a short procession to the Graduate School ceremony on Simmons Quadrangle. Guests of graduate students should go to the tent on Simmons Quadrangle for the 10:15 a.m. ceremony; additional seating is available in Metcalf Friedman Auditorium and in MacMillan Hall 117 and 115, with viewing by simulcast. The ceremony may be viewed by webstreaming. If the storm plan is in effect, it will be announced on the Brown University home page, a message will be left at (401) 863-3100, and a text message will be sent to all graduating students’ cell phones.
Special Accommodations
Individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations during the weekend should contact the Office of University Events and Conference Services as far in advance of Commencement as possible at 401-863-3100 and complete the form requesting a parking permit for persons with special accessibility needs.