2026 Commencement Weekend Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
What are the dates?
Friday through Sunday, May 22–24, 2026.
Do I have to register to attend?
We ask that all visitors to campus register to attend so that we can account for an approximate number of attendees. To register, please visit bardian.bard.edu/register/commencement26.
Where can I find the Commencement schedule?
View the weekend schedule online at bard.edu/commencement/schedule or families.bard.edu/commencement/schedule.
When should I arrive to campus?
We recommend that you check with your student. Some guests arrive on Friday, while others arrive on Saturday.
Where do I pick up my meal tickets?
Guests may pick up meal tickets at registration, which is open on Friday from 2 to 7 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm in the lobby of the Gabrielle H. Reem and Herbert J. Kayden Center for Science and Computation.
Commencement Ceremony
Do I need tickets to enter the tent?
Tickets are not issued for Bard Commencement. The tent opens at 1:30 pm, and seating is first come, first served. We suggest that you arrive as early as possible.
Will water be available at the Commencement tent?
Bottle filling stations will offer free water refills around the perimeter of the tent. Please bring your favorite reusable bottle to the ceremony.
Must I limit the number of guests I can bring?
Commencement takes place under a grand tent with a finite number of seats. To provide the most enjoyable experience for all our guests, we request limiting each party to six individuals.
What about the accessible seating area?
Advance registration is required to reserve a seat in this area, and a wristband will be provided for access. Requests for accessible seating must be received on or before Monday, May 4, through an application process. To begin the application, please indicate your interest in accessible seating on the online registration form. You will then be contacted by Commencement accessibility staff to provide additional information.
Please note: In order to accommodate as many requests as possible, a person in need of accessible seating will be allowed no more than two guests to be seated in this area. Wristbands will be included in the main registrant's packet. Please see the schedule for registration hours and location. For questions, please email Jacob Testa at [email protected].
When does the Commencement ceremony begin and end?
The procession begins at 2:30 pm. Everyone will be seated in the Commencement tent by 3 pm. Graduation ends at approximately 6 pm.
Is the Commencement tent air-conditioned?
Large fans are stationed throughout the tent, but the tent is not air-conditioned. If extreme heat poses a health risk to members of your party, we encourage you to view the Commencement ceremony via livestream at Olin Hall, located in the Franklin W. Olin Humanities Building, which is air-conditioned.
Is there accessible parking?
Accessible parking will be in the Kline Commons parking lot and along Library Road, near the Commencement tent. Persons with disabilities that impair their mobility will be required to display a parking permit from their rear view mirrors for access to this area. Once capacity has been reached, guests are welcome to drop off members of their parties at this location before parking elsewhere. A limited number of accessibility golf carts will be available to shuttle those who meed assistance. If you plan to park in accessible parking, please arrive before 1:30 pm. Road closures from 1:30 to 3:30 pm may impact access to these areas.
Are there any other parking recommendations?
Campus Security will direct guests to designated parking areas. Once parked, if possible, we recommend you use your phone to pin your car’s location, in order to more easily locate it following the festivities.
Will I receive a formal invitation?
Commencement invitations will be available for download at bard.edu/commencement starting in mid-March. You can order printed invitations here.
Where and when do students pick up their caps and gowns? What’s the process?
Graduates can pick up their caps and gowns from Wednesday, May 20 through Friday, May 22, between the hours of 10 am – 4 pm and on Saturday, May 23 beginning at 8 am at the Bard's campus bookstore in the Lilo and Heinz Bertelsmann Campus Center. A variety of sizes will be available, so there is no need to place an advance order or schedule a fitting. Please note: In order to pick up caps and gowns, student accounts must be paid in full.
As a family member, may I attend Baccalaureate or Senior Dinner?
No. Due to limited capacity, the Baccalaureate ceremony and Senior Dinner are reserved for graduating seniors only.
Do you offer livestreaming of Commencement?
Yes, a livestream of the Commencement ceremony will begin at 2:30 pm on Saturday, May 23. The link will be posted on the Bard website on the morning of Commencement.
On Campus
Are pets allowed?
Only service animals are permitted on campus during Commencement weekend.
Are flowers for sale on campus during Commencement?
Bard has partnered with Stark Blooms—a local sustainably grown flower farm—to offer seasonal, celebratory bouquets for Bard’s Commencement. We recommend purchasing in advance with this link, but you can also buy flowers on-site at the Stark Blooms Flower Truck, located on the south side of Kline Commons (until supplies last), from noon to 5 pm on Saturday only. Please visit starkblooms.com. Note: For prepaid orders, please be prepared to show your email confirmation or receipt when picking up.
May I stay on campus?
On-campus housing is for alumni/ae only.
When do seniors need to vacate their dorm rooms?
Seniors must vacate their rooms by noon on Sunday, May 24.
Travel Arrangements
Will a shuttle service be offered between the Bard campus and local hotels and train stations?
Shuttles will not be available between campus and hotels. Saturday's shuttles will pick up passengers at the Amtrak station in Rhinecliff. The pickup schedule will be posted on the College’s transportation website, blogs.bard.edu/transportation (under "Special Schedules"). Guests are responsible for making their own return travel arrangements.
I will need a travel visa to attend Commencement. Do you have any information to assist with the application process?
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services provides a list of helpful tips, which can be found here.
Meals on Campus
Will there be meals for those with special dietary concerns?
We make every effort to accommodate dietary needs. A vegan option will be available will be available at the post-Commencement barbecue and at Kline Commons.
What sort of meal is provided at the Commencement Barbeque?
Guests will have an option of individually-portioned meals from the local, family-owned Brooks’ House of BBQ or Red Hook's Bliss Juice + Cafe. On the registration form, please choose between barbecue chicken, pulled pork, or a black bean burger—each with sides of mac and cheese, corn bread, and coleslaw—or a fresh bowlful of organic vegan fare.
I would like to add tickets to my registration. Is that possible?
Yes, if you would like to purchase additional tickets, please create a new registration. As long as you register under the same name, we will combine any tickets into one registration packet.
What happens if I purchase meal tickets and don’t use them? Can I get a refund?
All requests for refunds must be submitted by May 4. Please email [email protected] with any refund requests.
May I pay for the Saturday barbecue on site?
A limited number of tickets will be available at registration, located at the Gabrielle H. Reem Herbert J. Kayden Center for Science and Computation, before 3 pm on Saturday, though we recommend you register in advance.
May I come for fireworks if I don’t purchase barbecue tickets?
Yes, find a spot on the lawn and enjoy! Fireworks begin at dark, around 9:15 pm.
Should I include my graduating senior when I register for the barbecue?
The barbecue is free for graduating seniors, but they must be registered in advance to receive their complimentary ticket. Graduating seniors can register themselves, or signed up through the registration form.
Contact
I have more questions. Whom do I ask?
If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact the Office of Events at [email protected] or 845-758-7414.