Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
What are the dates?
Friday through Sunday, May 22–24, 2026.
Where can I find directions to campus?
Click here for maps and directions!
Where do I pick up my event tickets and wristband?
You may pick these up at registration during Alumni/ae Reunion Weekend. We do not mail tickets. Registration is open Friday from 2 to 10:30 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, and is located at the George Ball Lounge in the Heinz and Lilo Bertelsmann Campus Center. If you arrive after 11 pm on Friday, please go to the Office of Safety and Security at Memorial Hall (formerly “Old Gym”).
Please note: Alumni/ae and their guests must wear their wristbands throughout the weekend. The wristbands grant alumni/ae and guests open access to Annandale Roadhouse, the tent party, Alumni/ae HQ, the complimentary Reunion Cocktail Party, the Alumni/ae After-Party, and other areas of campus.
How can I find out who else plans to attend Reunion?
A list of attendees will be posted on the website closer to the event.
Where should I stay?
A comprehensive list of nearby hotels, inns, and B&Bs may be found on the Dutchess Tourism website. We recommend booking your accommodations as soon as possible. A limited number of on-campus residence hall rooms will be available to alumni/ae on a first-come, first-served basis. Residence hall room rates are $150 for single occupancy, $200 for double occupancy, and $250 for triple occupancy. The prices above indicate the total cost regardless of whether attendees stay for one or two nights.
I plan to stay on campus. Can I specify which dorm I want to be in? Do I need to bring sheets and towels?
We do our best to house reunion classes in the same or nearby dorms. It is not always possible, however, to honor specific housing requests. Towels, one pillow, sheets, a pillowcase, and a light blanket are provided. You may want to bring an extra blanket. All rooms must be vacated by noon on Sunday, May 24.
Will a shuttle service be offered between the Bard campus, train stations, and local hotels?
Please see “Special Schedules” on the College’s transportation website for information regarding shuttles to and from the Amtrak station in Rhinecliff and the MTA in Poughkeepsie. Schedules are subject to change. There is no shuttle service to and from off-campus hotels. You can also find directions to Bard here.
May I bring a guest?
Absolutely. Be sure to register all guests by the May 11 deadline.
Are pets allowed?
Only service animals are permitted on campus during Alumni/ae Reunion Weekend.
How do I make a gift to Bard in honor of my class reunion?
You can either make a gift when you register, or you can make a gift here. Thank you for supporting Bard and your reunion class!
Commencement Ceremony
When does the Commencement ceremony begin and end?
The academic procession will begin at 2:30 pm and enters the Commencement tent at approximately 3 pm. The Commencement ceremony will end at approximately 6 pm.
Is the Commencement tent air-conditioned?
No, though large fans will be stationed throughout. If extreme heat poses a health risk to members of your party, please plan accordingly. As an alternative, guests are invited to view the Commencement ceremony livestream in an air-conditioned campus location (see below).
Will water be available at the Commencement tent?
There will be bottle-filling stations around the perimeter of the tent, but no pre-filled water bottles or cups. Please bring your own reusable bottle to the ceremony.
I would like to walk in the Commencement procession. How can I do that?
Caps and gowns are required if alumni/ae plan to walk in the Commencement procession. The option to rent them will be on your Alumni/ae Reunion Weekend registration form. Rented caps and gowns should be picked up at the Bard’s campus bookstore in the Heinz and Lilo Bertelsmann Campus Center on or before 2 pm on Saturday, May 23, and returned to the bookstore immediately after Commencement. Please Note: The deadline to order regalia is April 10.
Do you offer livestreaming of Commencement?
Yes, a livestream of the Commencement ceremony will begin at 2:30 pm on Saturday, May 23. The streaming link will be posted on bard.edu closer to the event. We also livestream Commencement in Olin Hall, located in the Franklin W. Olin Humanities Building. The building is air-conditioned. All alumni/ae and their guests are welcome.
Meals on Campus
Are menu options available for people with special dietary concerns?
Vegetarian options will be available at the reunion barbecue and at Kline Commons, and we make every effort to accommodate dietary needs at Kline Commons throughout the weekend.
What happens if I purchase meal tickets and don’t use them? May I get a refund?
All requests for refunds must be submitted by Monday, May 11.
May I pay for the Saturday barbecue on site?
A limited number of tickets will be available at the registration table—located in the George Ball Lounge in the Heinz and Lilo Bertelsmann Campus Center—until 6 pm Saturday, but we highly recommend you register in advance.
May we join for fireworks and dancing if we don’t purchase barbecue tickets?
Yes, but you must register in advance in order to participate in any campus events. Fireworks begin at dark, around 9:15 pm. Bring snacks, a blanket, and a flashlight!
Contact
I have more questions. Whom do I ask?
If you need further assistance, feel free to contact the Office of Alumni/ae Affairs at [email protected] or 845-758-7116.
What are the dates?
Friday through Sunday, May 22–24, 2026.
Where can I find directions to campus?
Click here for maps and directions!
Where do I pick up my event tickets and wristband?
You may pick these up at registration during Alumni/ae Reunion Weekend. We do not mail tickets. Registration is open Friday from 2 to 10:30 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, and is located at the George Ball Lounge in the Heinz and Lilo Bertelsmann Campus Center. If you arrive after 11 pm on Friday, please go to the Office of Safety and Security at Memorial Hall (formerly “Old Gym”).
Please note: Alumni/ae and their guests must wear their wristbands throughout the weekend. The wristbands grant alumni/ae and guests open access to Annandale Roadhouse, the tent party, Alumni/ae HQ, the complimentary Reunion Cocktail Party, the Alumni/ae After-Party, and other areas of campus.
How can I find out who else plans to attend Reunion?
A list of attendees will be posted on the website closer to the event.
Where should I stay?
A comprehensive list of nearby hotels, inns, and B&Bs may be found on the Dutchess Tourism website. We recommend booking your accommodations as soon as possible. A limited number of on-campus residence hall rooms will be available to alumni/ae on a first-come, first-served basis. Residence hall room rates are $150 for single occupancy, $200 for double occupancy, and $250 for triple occupancy. The prices above indicate the total cost regardless of whether attendees stay for one or two nights.
I plan to stay on campus. Can I specify which dorm I want to be in? Do I need to bring sheets and towels?
We do our best to house reunion classes in the same or nearby dorms. It is not always possible, however, to honor specific housing requests. Towels, one pillow, sheets, a pillowcase, and a light blanket are provided. You may want to bring an extra blanket. All rooms must be vacated by noon on Sunday, May 24.
Will a shuttle service be offered between the Bard campus, train stations, and local hotels?
Please see “Special Schedules” on the College’s transportation website for information regarding shuttles to and from the Amtrak station in Rhinecliff and the MTA in Poughkeepsie. Schedules are subject to change. There is no shuttle service to and from off-campus hotels. You can also find directions to Bard here.
May I bring a guest?
Absolutely. Be sure to register all guests by the May 11 deadline.
Are pets allowed?
Only service animals are permitted on campus during Alumni/ae Reunion Weekend.
How do I make a gift to Bard in honor of my class reunion?
You can either make a gift when you register, or you can make a gift here. Thank you for supporting Bard and your reunion class!
Commencement Ceremony
When does the Commencement ceremony begin and end?
The academic procession will begin at 2:30 pm and enters the Commencement tent at approximately 3 pm. The Commencement ceremony will end at approximately 6 pm.
Is the Commencement tent air-conditioned?
No, though large fans will be stationed throughout. If extreme heat poses a health risk to members of your party, please plan accordingly. As an alternative, guests are invited to view the Commencement ceremony livestream in an air-conditioned campus location (see below).
Will water be available at the Commencement tent?
There will be bottle-filling stations around the perimeter of the tent, but no pre-filled water bottles or cups. Please bring your own reusable bottle to the ceremony.
I would like to walk in the Commencement procession. How can I do that?
Caps and gowns are required if alumni/ae plan to walk in the Commencement procession. The option to rent them will be on your Alumni/ae Reunion Weekend registration form. Rented caps and gowns should be picked up at the Bard’s campus bookstore in the Heinz and Lilo Bertelsmann Campus Center on or before 2 pm on Saturday, May 23, and returned to the bookstore immediately after Commencement. Please Note: The deadline to order regalia is April 10.
Do you offer livestreaming of Commencement?
Yes, a livestream of the Commencement ceremony will begin at 2:30 pm on Saturday, May 23. The streaming link will be posted on bard.edu closer to the event. We also livestream Commencement in Olin Hall, located in the Franklin W. Olin Humanities Building. The building is air-conditioned. All alumni/ae and their guests are welcome.
Meals on Campus
Are menu options available for people with special dietary concerns?
Vegetarian options will be available at the reunion barbecue and at Kline Commons, and we make every effort to accommodate dietary needs at Kline Commons throughout the weekend.
What happens if I purchase meal tickets and don’t use them? May I get a refund?
All requests for refunds must be submitted by Monday, May 11.
May I pay for the Saturday barbecue on site?
A limited number of tickets will be available at the registration table—located in the George Ball Lounge in the Heinz and Lilo Bertelsmann Campus Center—until 6 pm Saturday, but we highly recommend you register in advance.
May we join for fireworks and dancing if we don’t purchase barbecue tickets?
Yes, but you must register in advance in order to participate in any campus events. Fireworks begin at dark, around 9:15 pm. Bring snacks, a blanket, and a flashlight!
Contact
I have more questions. Whom do I ask?
If you need further assistance, feel free to contact the Office of Alumni/ae Affairs at [email protected] or 845-758-7116.