Do I need a ticket to attend the commencement ceremony?

The ceremony is open to the public. Seats are reserved for family and guests of the graduating class and special guests of the College, but others are welcome to observe from outside the seating area. Lawn chairs are permitted. If inclement weather moves the ceremony to an alternative location on campus, tickets are required for admittance, but those without tickets may watch the proceedings in other on-campus venues.

What is the schedule for closing Mayflower Hill Drive?

Mayflower Hill Drive will be closed Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as thousands of pedestrians cross between the Colby Green and the academic quadrangle. At the south end, the drive will be closed at the Mary Low parking lot. At the northeast end, Mayflower Hill Drive will be closed at the three-way intersection with Campus Drive and North Street (see campus map). Traffic delays may occur at other times during the weekend, especially from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, as pedestrians cross Mayflower Hill Drive. Accommodations will be made for emergency vehicles. Some on-campus traffic will be permitted when possible.

What other closings are planned?

At 9 p.m. Saturday, Mayflower Hill Drive near the rugby field will close for about 15 minutes for a fireworks display. Runnals Drive will be closed to traffic all day Saturday and Sunday (see campus map).

Where is parking for the commencement ceremony?

Beginning at 7 a.m. Sunday, Colby security officers will direct parking. Drivers will be directed to Mary Low, Lunder, Roberts, Athletics, and Facilities lots, and lots will be closed once they are full. Parking on Mayflower Hill Drive is restricted and spaces in Eustis Lot and on Bixler Drive (see campus map) are reserved for those with special permits. (To secure special parking permits call Director of Campus Events Karen Ledger in advance at 207-859-4735.)

Where are the restrooms?

Restrooms are available in the Lovejoy Building and in Cotter Union.

When does commencement start, and how long does it last?

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and usually lasts until 12:30 p.m. Guests should plan to arrive on campus by 9 a.m.

What is the rain plan?

In inclement weather, the ceremony will take place at an alternative location on campus and live-streamed to overflow seating in other on-campus venues. Each senior will be issued three rain tickets. The decision to move the ceremony will be made very early Sunday and posted at colby.edu and the College’s social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

When is baccalaureate, and may I attend?

Baccalaureate is at 10 a.m. Saturday. Seating in Lorimer Chapel is limited, but guests may view the procession and service on large video screens on the lawn in front of the chapel and in the Lovejoy Building.

How do I get meal tickets?

Graduating seniors are guests of the College for all meals during Commencement weekend. Two special meals are available: a lobster bake Friday evening, for which guests may purchase tickets, and a luncheon Sunday following the commencement ceremony, for which there is no charge for guests.

Families and guests may eat breakfast and lunch on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday, at Dana dining hall. For Saturday dinner, both Foss and Dana dining halls will be open. Breakfast is $6 per guest, lunch is $8, and dinner is $18. Children five and under are free, ages six to 11 are half-price.

Pre-purchased meal tickets and complimentary Sunday lunch tickets are issued along with commencement tickets. Graduating seniors can collect their tickets from the Campus Events office on the first floor of the Eustis Building during Senior Week. If a student is unable to pick up the tickets, reserved packets will be available at each of the meals during the weekend.

How are a cappella concert tickets distributed?

Seniors will be offered four tickets per student on a first-come, first-served basis when they pick up their meal/commencement tickets.

When and where is the Commencement Ball?

The ball, open to all seniors and their guests, will begin at 9 p.m. Saturday on the Colby Green. A live band will perform until midnight.

What are the sustainability initiatives around Commencement?

Commencement Weekend follows Colby’s campus-wide commitment to sustainability. Here’s what our guests should know:

1. All serviceware on campus — napkins, plates, cups, lids, straws, coffee cups, disposable utensils, etc. — is compostable.
2. Water filling stations and compostable cups and straws are provided during Commencement, which avoids thousands of disposable plastic water bottles.
3. Colby has single-stream recycling. Cans, glass and plastic bottles, and paper all go in the same recycling bin —no need to sort.
4. At the lobster bake, everything is compostable except for the butter cups and lobster bibs.
5. Student representatives will be around campus and present at events during Commencement Weekend to answer questions about what can be recycled or composted.

What is there to do around Waterville?

Waterville is home to 15,000 residents and boasts a downtown district that features a municipal auditorium (the Waterville Opera House), Railroad Square Cinema, one of America’s great independent cinemas (three screens), and many locally owned businesses. Visitors will also find a half-dozen hotels, two hospitals, a multiplex movie theater, and nationally recognized businesses—Starbucks, Home Depot, and others—within city limits.

How can I get professional photos of a graduating student?

The College contracts with Lifetouch National School Studios to take photographs of seniors as they receive their diplomas. Please visit events.lifetouch.com and enter your information to be contacted when photos are ready.

Are drones allowed on the Colby campus?

Private drones are not allowed on the Colby campus.

Residence Hall Closure Information

All graduating seniors are expected to vacate the residence halls no later than 8 p.m., Sunday, May 26th.

Who can answer other questions about commencement?

Please contact Karen Ledger, director of campus events, at 207-859-4735 or krledger@colby.edu.