Commencement: Seating Information and What to Wear

Seating Information

There is no limit on the number of guests graduating students may invite and seating tickets are not used at this ceremony. Ample chairs will be provided in the front section of the ceremony area on Holmgren Meadow and plenty of lawn seating is available behind the chairs.  The front chaired section will open to guests beginning at 8:30 am and the lawn section is always open. Seating is on a first-come basis in both sections.  The stage can be seen clearly from both sections.

The front chaired section will be closed during the processional and guests sitting in this area should plan to be seated between 8:30 am, when this section opens, and 9:30 am, shortly before the processional begins.  This section will open again after the blessing is given at the beginning of the ceremony.

Encourage those who like the shade, don't like to sit for long periods, or have young children to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets and sit in the lawn section, which has shade trees. There will also be a limited number of chairs available under awning in the lawn section for the elderly or very young.

Reminder: No pets or smoking are allowed at the event site.

For Guests with Disabilities
If guests have disability-related needs, please contact Katelyn Ricks, events@mills.edu, 510.430.3230, no later than Friday, May 3, 2013. See Disability Needs for more information.

What to Wear
The Commencement ceremony will be held outside on Holmgren Meadow, rain or shine. Advise guests to bring appropriate rain gear, if it looks like rain. If it looks like sun, guests should bring brimmed hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and bottled water, if desired, for their several hours in the sun.

Ice water will be provided for all guests at no charge. The water tables are located on Holmgren Meadow under the trees in the lawn section. Food and beverages are also available for purchase from the Tea Shop and the Bookstore, located in Rothwell Center, adjacent to Holmgren Meadow.

Academic regalia are required for all students who participate in the Commencement ceremony. Students may not walk without academic regalia. Purchase regalia well before Commencement day.