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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

  • Ceremony Location

    Location of the Tent: West Parking Lot

    Post Commencement Reception: The Quad

    Please view this FAQ on why we use the West Lot.

  • Am I eligible to graduate?

    Seniors must complete an application to graduate via the Leopardweb.

    The Registrar's office will process the application, confirm that the student has met all of their eligibility requirements and will send notification weekly to those students who have been CLEARED TO GRADUATE. Questions: please contact the Registrar’s Office. 

  • Regalia - Cap, Gown, Hood and Cords

    When and where do I receive my cap, gown, hood and cords? Are they free? 

    • Caps, gowns, hoods and cords are FREE. Wentworth has selected an eco-friendly robe which is made from 100% recycled materials and the items can be recycled after use.

    • The students will receive an email when the ordering site is open and they will fill out the information requested with options to:

      • Ship to home (for a small shipping fee - approximately $15.00) - when your item ships (approximately 2 weeks prior to commencement) you will receive a tracking number from the vendor to alert you your item is on its way.

      • Ship to school (no additional fee). When the shipment arrives, the Office of University Events will send an email to students who chose this option and notify you of pick up days and times. It should be approximately 1-2 weeks prior to commencement. 
        • The pick up will occur via the Center for Student Life and students will be able to use the lockers to arrange for pick up at their convenience during non business hours.
    • Honors Cords and Veterans Cords will be distributed the day of your ceremony when you check in. [Note: if you are not attending the ceremony, we will mail your cords to you approximately 4 - 6 weeks after commencement; please email the commencement office to notify us of your plans and be sure to include your current mailing address and the cords you should be receiving.] 
  • Student Arrival for Commencement Ceremony

    What time do I need to check-in for Commencement?

    Spring Graduates:

    9:30am Ceremony (School of Architecture and Design, December Graduates and Petition to Walk Students)

    • Students should report to Tansey Gym at 8:15am to check in and line up for the ceremony. 
    • Bring your cap, gown and hood. (If you did not pick up or have shipped home, the vendor will be onsite to assist you.)
    • Honors and veterans cords will be distributed at check-in.
    • Do not bring any other items that you cannot carry with you.
    • Do not leave items behind, you will not be able to retrieve them.
    • The procession line up will begin at 9:00am.

     

    Summer Graduates:

    9:00am Ceremony (Schools to be announced)

    • Students should report to Watson Auditorium at 7:45am to check in and line up for the ceremony. 
    • Bring your cap, gown and hood. (If you did not pick up or have shipped home, the vendor will be onsite to assist you.)
    • Honors and veterans cords will be distributed at check-in.
    • Do not bring any other items that you cannot carry with you.
    • Do not leave items behind, you will not be able to retrieve them.
    • The procession line up will begin at 8:40am.

    2:30pm Ceremony (Schools to be announced)

    • Students should report to Watson Auditorium at 1:15pm to check in and line up for the ceremony. 
    • Bring your cap, gown and hood. (If you did not pick up or have shipped home, the vendor will be onsite to assist you.)
    • Honors and veterans cords will be distributed at check-in.
    • Do not bring any other items that you cannot carry with you.
    • Do not leave items behind, you will not be able to retrieve them.
    • The procession line up will begin at 2:10pm.

     

     

  • Tickets and Seating for guests only - graduates do not need tickets

    Commencement is held in a tent on our campus. The tent is considered a temporary structure and therefore we must submit a plan to the City of Boston to receive an occupancy permit. The permit allows for a maximum capacity to ensure the safety of all guests and we cannot exceed this capacity. The number of tickets per student is calculated based on the number of graduates and the capacity of the structure. 

    How many tickets does each graduate receive and how much do tickets cost?

    • Students can order up to 4 tickets for guests.

    • Tickets to commencement are FREE.  

    • A ticket is required for all guests ages six (6) and older. Children under the age of six (6) do not need tickets and may sit in the lap of their parent or in a stroller. 

    When can I order tickets?

    • Ticket ordering date be announced soon.
    • Each student will receive an email with a unique promo code to use on the ordering site. They can order the tickets and email them to family and friends.

    Do I need to bring a paper copy of my ticket to check-in?

    • No, you do not need a paper copy of your ticket. We can scan the QR code from your mobile device.
    • Please note that each person in your party must have their own QR code on their mobile device.
    • If you do not have a mobile device where the code can be scanned, we recommend printing the ticket to bring with you for scanning at check-in. (We will not be able to print tickets for you, please plan accordingly.)

    Can a student receive extra tickets to the ceremony? 

    • Students can request additional tickets but there is no guarantee that extra tickets will be available. The extra tickets come from students who do not use their full allotment or who choose to release them back to Wentworth because they will not be attending the ceremony (and often they do not notify us).

    • These tickets become the extra ticket pool. There is no way to determine if any, or how many, may be available.  These tickets will be put into a pool and distributed evenly to those who asked for additional tickets to ensure every student has family and friends at the ceremony to support them.  (For example, 300 students request 2 extra tickets each - totaling 600 but only 300 are in the pool. We will allot 1 per request up to the 300 available.)

    • We will award the extra tickets and notify students via email. They will have 24 hours to claim their extra tickets. If they do not claim them, the tickets will be re-issued to fulfill other requests.

    • No tickets to Commencement may be bought or sold under any circumstances.  

    Is seating assigned or general admission? 

    • Seating is assigned and you will be able to choose your seats on our ticketing platform with a unique promo code. When ordering your tickets, you will select your designated seat(s) for the event. Seats are selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is similar to concert seating and there is a 15 minute time limit.

    • All seats are accessible seating. If your guest has mobility issues or uses a support device (i.e. walker or wheelchair), they will be able to remove the temporary chair and use their own.

    • Commencement will be held at Wentworth in a tent. All seats are at the same level (i.e., not stadium or amphitheater seating). Large viewing screens will be placed to ensure that all guests can see the ceremony from their seats. 

    Where is parking for students, guests and those needing accommodations?

    Free Parking is available in the following locations - it is first come, first serve and not guaranteed: 

    • Limited Accessibility Parking is available in the West Parking Lot at 550 Huntington Avenue, corner of Ruggles Street and Huntington Ave. All cars must have either a valid handi-cap hang tag or sticker visible in order to access this lot. The parking attendant will check.

    • FREE General Parking is available as follows - it is first come, first serve and NOT guaranteed:

      • Mindoro Lot: 20 Mindoro Street, Boston

      • Halleck Street Lot: 100 Halleck Street, Boston

      • Annex Lot: 55 Annunciation Road, Boston - behind the building near the Greek Orthodox Church

    • PARKING NEARBY: There are several additional parking garages within walking distance to Wentworth. You can pay and park there for the day.

      • Renaissance Parking Garage: 835 Columbus Ave, Boston

      • Longwood Galleria Garage: 350 Longwood Ave, Boston

      • Simmons University Garage: 86 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston

      • MASCO Garage: 375 Longwood Ave, Boston

     

  • Why Take the Career Outcomes Survey?

    Spring Graduates - please complete the survey by May 1.

    Summer Graduate link to be posted in the spring.

    Each year Co-ops & Careers asks graduating students, as they are about to graduate and again six months later, to share their plans for life after Wentworth through the Career Outcomes Survey. This is an opportunity to pay it forward as others did before you.

    Once collected, the responses are compiled in an anonymous report that shares the story of the most recent graduating class. The goal is to provide current and future students with the information they need to make decisions about their major and career plans. Your response also helps Wentworth and Co-ops & Careers understand how to best support you and future graduates.

  • Accommodations: Accessibility, Parking and Mobility Support

    I have guests who need accommodations, what arrangements are available? 

    Wentworth offers accessible parking (see parking information above) and we can arrange for assistive listening devices for the visually impaired (please send an email to commencement@wit.edu to request a device) or if sign language interpretation is needed for the hearing impaired.

  • What time is the ceremony and how long will it last? Are there post ceremony receptions?

    SPRING COMMENCEMENT - APRIL 20, 2024 - 

    There is one ceremony only and it begins at 9:30am.

    • When should my guests arrive? Doors open at 8:00am Tickets will be scanned at the Parker Street entrance to the Quad, in the West Lot and by the Treehouse near the CStore. Guests should be in their seats no later than 9:00am as the processional will begin and no one will be able to take their seats while the processional is occurring.
    • How long will the Ceremony Last? The ceremony will begin at 9:30am and last approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
    • Post-Commencement Reception: At the conclusion of the ceremony, the students will recess out to the Quad. There will be light refreshments under the quad tent and an opportunity to gather with family, friends and faculty for photos and congratulations. 

     

    SUMMER COMMENCEMENT - SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2024 

    9:00am Ceremony - Schools to be announced in the spring

    • When should my guests arrive? Doors open at 7:45am. Tickets will be scanned at the Parker Street entrance to the Quad, in the West Lot and by the Treehouse near the CStore. Guests should be in their seats no later than 8:30am as the processional will begin and no one will be able to take their seats while the processional is occurring.
    • How long will the Ceremony Last? The ceremony will begin at 9:00am and last approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
    • Post-Commencement Celebration Reception: At the conclusion of the ceremony, the students will recess out to the Quad. There will be light refreshments under the quad tent and an opportunity to gather with family, friends and faculty for photos and congratulations. 

    2:30pm Ceremony - Schools to be announced in the spring

    • When should my guests arrive? Doors open at 1:30pm. Tickets will be scanned at the Parker Street entrance to the Quad, in the West Lot and by the Treehouse near the CStore. Guests should be in their seats no later than 2:15pm as the processional will begin and no one will be able to take their seats while the processional is occurring.
    • How long will the Ceremony Last? The ceremony will begin at 2:30pm and last approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
    • Post-Commencement Celebration Reception: At the conclusion of the ceremony, the students will recess out to the Quad. There will be light refreshments under the quad tent and an opportunity to gather with family, friends and faculty for photos and congratulations. 
  • Weather

    What if it rains? Will Commencement still be held outside? 

    • The event will take place rain or shine unless a national weather emergency is declared at which time we will make a determination in the days leading up to the ceremony and announce it via email.
    • The event is held inside a climate controlled tent (heat in the Spring, air conditioning in the Summer).
    • Please dress accordingly for the weather. 
  • Children

    Is there accommodation to feed and change a baby? 

    • There are restrooms available in Beatty Hall which is the large concrete building adjacent to the Quad. 

    Do small children need a ticket to attend Commencement? 

    • A ticket is required for children ages six (6) and older. Children under six (6) may be seated in your lap or in a stroller. 

  • Parking & Transportation

    Public transportation

    • Check the MBTA website and Commuter Rail website for schedules. The mass transit system undergoes periodic disruption as they repair and update the tracks and equipment. We will post any known disruptions as soon as we receive notification but urge you to visit their sites for information.

    Driving/Parking

    Where is parking for students, guests and those needing accommodations?

    Free Guest Parking is available in the following locations - it is first come, first serve and not guaranteed: 

    • Limited Accessibility Parking is available in the West Parking Lot at 550 Huntington Avenue, corner of Ruggles Street and Huntington Ave. All cars must have either a valid handi-cap hang tag or sticker visible in order to access this lot. The parking attendant will check.

    • FREE General Parking is available as follows - it is first come, first serve and NOT guaranteed:

      • Mindoro Lot: 20 Mindoro Street, Boston

      • Halleck Street Lot: 100 Halleck Street, Boston

      • Annex Lot: 55 Annunciation Road, Boston - behind the building near the Greek Orthodox Church

    • PARKING NEARBY: There are several additional parking garages within walking distance to Wentworth. You can pay and park there for the day.

      • Renaissance Parking Garage: 835 Columbus Ave, Boston

      • Longwood Galleria Garage: 350 Longwood Ave, Boston

      • Simmons University Garage: 86 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston

      • MASCO Garage: 375 Longwood Ave, Boston

  • Prohibited Items

    • Wentworth is a smoke-free, drug-free, and alcohol-free campus.  

    • Security has the right to inspect any item at any time for the safety of the community. 

    • Prohibited items must be returned to cars or disposed of before entering the venue and will not be accepted by employees. There will be no place offered to store any of these items. 

    1. Alcohol 

    2. Animals (Service animals are permitted with proper identification and a vest - see Wentworth's full policy regarding animals on campus) 

    3. Artificial noisemakers (including air horns, whistles, etc.) 

    4. Balloons (latex allergies and popping can disrupt the ceremony)

    5. Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, marijuana, all forms of smokeless tobacco, clove cigarettes and any other smoking devices that use tobacco such as hookahs or simulate the use of tobacco such as electronic cigarettes 

    6. Fireworks of any kind (including smoke bombs and flares)  

    7. Flags on poles 

    8. Open flames 

    9. Glitter 

    10. Illegal drugs or chemicals 

    11. Laser pointers 

    12. Signs on sticks 

    13. Signs that block the view of others 

    14. Skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, roller shoes, etc. 

    15. Unapproved pamphlets, handouts, advertisements, etc. 

    16. Weapons of any kind (i.e. Knives, stun-guns, slingshots, concealed weapons including those carried with a permit, firearms, etc.) 

    17. Other items as may be determined by the event security, staff or management.

  • Photography

    Will there be a professional photographer taking photos of the graduates? Yes. 

    • Grad Images will be the official photographer for Wentworth Institute of Technology’s commencement ceremonies. 

    • Each student will be photographed twice, once as they are conferred their diploma by the president and again as they exit the stage in front of a Wentworth backdrop. 

    • Each graduate will receive ordering information from Grad  Images via their Wentworth email and via a mailing to the student’s address on file from their graduate application. 

    • For additional information please visit the Grad Images website.

    • Guests may take photos from their seats, while seated. There is NO designated area at the front of the tent where photos can be taken during the ceremony and you will be asked to take your seat by security. 

    • Guests are not permitted to stand in chairs, in the aisles, or to move to the front of the tent at any time as this is disruptive to the flow of the ceremony and to all attendees.  

    • This is for safety reasons and to not block the views of others. We encourage you to consider purchasing professional photographs from Grad Images. 

    • Personal photographs may be taken on the campus after the ceremony.  

  • Watching Commencement Remotely

    Will Commencement be available to watch online?

    Yes, commencement will be livestreamed! 

    The event will be viewable via the Wentworth livestream

    We recommend tuning in no later than 15 minutes prior to the start times listed for each ceremony. Commencement will also be recorded and available to watch on Wentworth's YouTube channel once it has been captioned, approximately 2 - 3 weeks after the event.  

  • Will there be refreshments available?

    Will food and drink be available at the commencement ceremonies?

    Yes. Concessions will be open and refreshments will be available for purchase next to the tent on the quad from our on-site catering service by cash or credit card.

    Post-Commencement Reception

     After each ceremony, there will be a 1 hour reception with complimentary cookies and drinks available under the tent on the Quad. Take photos with family, friends and faculty. 

     

     

  • Wentworth branded merchandise, gifts and flowers for sale

    Can I buy Wentworth merchandise during commencement? 

    The campus bookstore will be open to purchase diploma frames, gifts and souvenirs for graduates and guests before and after the ceremony.

    The gift store is located in Beatty Hall on the ground level at the back of the building.

    You can also order gifts on-line at the bookstore.

    Will there be flowers and other gifts available for purchase the morning of the ceremony?

    Yes, there will be other vendors on-site where you can purchase flowers and other gift items. The Commencement Group is the official gift vendor for commencement and will have locations on campus near the West Lot and on Parker Street. They donate a portion of the proceeds back to support student services. You can also pre-order gifts to pick up the morning of the ceremony.

  • Graduation Diplomas

    When should I expect my diploma? 

    • The Registrar's Office staff require 6 - 8 weeks from the official graduation date to clear all students for graduation. After this time diplomas, will begin to be mailed. A general guideline for this mailing is below:  

    If your graduation date is: 

    • April, your diploma is expected to be mailed no later than June.

    • August, your diploma is expected to be mailed no later than October. 

    Name on Diploma 

    • Diplomas are printed using the name you provided on the graduation application. If you need to update any changes to your diploma, please contact the Registrar's Office. 

    Mailing Address for Diploma 

    • Diplomas are mailed to the address on your graduation application. Please contact the Registrar’s Office to make any changes to your address 

  • Invitations to Commencement

    Does Wentworth send a formal invitation to guests to attend the ceremony?

    No, Wentworth does not send a formal invitation. Please see our webpage for an announcement card you can download and share with family and friends.

  • Senior Housing - Move Out

    When do I need to move-out of my residence hall assignment?

    • Current residential students participating in commencement should plan to move out of their residence hall assignment no later than:
      • Spring Graduates: Seniors must move out by 12:00pm on Sunday, April 21, 2024
      • Summer Graduates: Seniors must move out by 12:00pm on Sunday, August 18, 2024
    • Students may check out through the main housing office on Monday or through use of the express checkout process in the main lobby of their residence hall to return keys.
    • For move out related questions, please speak with your Community Advisor (CA) or contact the Housing & Residential Education at housing@wit.edu or 617-989-4160.
  • International Visitors Attending Commencement

    My family wants to attend the ceremony and they need a letter of invitation from Wentworth. Who can provide this so they can attend?

    To have your family, relatives and friends attend your graduation ceremony, they will most likely need to apply for a tourist visa (B1/B2) to enter the United States. 

    Please encourage those wishing to visit you to review the visa application process on the website of the U.S. consulate in their home country as well as any travel restrictions/bans or CDC requirements in place when they plan to travel. 

    Since the purpose of a tourist visa directly involves a visit to you, it will be beneficial if you provide them with a “Letter of Invitation” written by you. (Open the link, save a copy to your computer, fill in the highlighted areas  and send your copy to your family)

    The “Letter of Invitation” should include the following attachments: 

    1. A copy of your transcript showing you are enrolled as a student at Wentworth. 
    2. A copy of the commencement page from our website which provides the date, time, and location of the ceremony.  
    3. A copy of your Enrollment Verification Certificate from the National Student Clearinghouse

    To obtain copies of your transcript and Enrollment Verification Certificate, please login to your MyHub account or email: registrar@wit.edu for assistance. 

    (Revised: 5-24-2023)

  • Are animals allowed at commencement?

    Animals are not permitted on Wentworth's campus unless they are in service. Please see Wentworth's full policy regarding animals on campus here. 

  • Is there overflow space on campus for non-ticketed guests to watch the ceremony or space for them to hang out and wait?

    Unfortunately, we do not have any overflow space or waiting space for any non-ticketed guests. Most of the spaces on campus are being used as part of the event and all other buildings are locked.

  • Do you have a question that has not been answered here? 

    For questions regarding the commencement ceremony, please reach out to the Commencement Team by email. We will do our best to respond within 2 - 3 business days during Wentworth's business hours - Monday through Friday between 8:15am and 4:45pm.

    Emails sent between the Friday prior to commencement will likely not be answered as the team is in final preparation for the day. Please refer to the FAQ for most questions.

    Thank you.