Helpful Info

Registration will be open end of March through May 12.

Reunion registration fee: $40 per person, inclusive of programming, class reception, and Saturday night tent party. Additional fees apply for class dinner and meals.

Commencement Ceremony: Families only attending the Sunday commencement ceremony do not need to register or check in for the weekend.

Advance purchases for meals can only be made through advance online registration and is highly recommended to guarantee availability. A limited number of Usdan Marketplace tickets may be available during meal hours, but is not guaranteed.

After May 12 and on-campus check-in for meal tickets and weekend packets: Walk-in registration/check-in is at the Welcome + Giving Center, Office of Admission, 70 Wyllys Avenue. Hours listed below.

Note: most events and seminars, unless otherwise noted, are free and open to all. All events are limited capacity and seating/entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have questions about your registration, please contact rc@wesleyan.edu.

 

Welcome Center + Giving Center Hours:

• Thursday: 2–7 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Sunday*: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

*Commencement only guests do not need to register or check in.

Welcome + Giving Center, Office of Admission
70 Wyllys Avenue

• Thursday: 2–7 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Sunday: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

Usdan University Center

• Thursday: 8:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Friday–Saturday: 8 a.m.–11 p.m.
• Sunday: 8 a.m.–3 p.m.

Campus Bookstore, Usdan University Center

• Thursday–Friday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Sunday: 8 a.m.–3 p.m.

Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
413 Main Street, Middletown

• Thursday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Olin Library

• Thursday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Saturday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed

FOOD LOCATIONS

Usdan Café, Usdan University Center

• Thursday: Closed
• Friday–Saturday: 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Sunday: 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Pi Café, Exley Science Center

• Thursday: Closed
• Friday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Saturday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m.–11 a.m.

Story and Soil Café, Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore (413 Main Street)

• Thursday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Parking for persons with disabilities: please see Accessibility

Middlesex Corporate Center Parking Garage

181 Court Street, Middletown
This public parking garage is available for a nominal hourly rate. It is a 10–15 minute walk to campus and is convenient to Main Street restaurants and shops.

Wesleyan’s Transportation Department Campus Shuttle will operate throughout the weekend between the garage and campus.

 

Transportation to/from campus

Hotels:
Some hotels offer limited shuttle service or may be able to assist with rental cars or ride shares. Please contact your hotel’s front desk.

Public transportation:
From New Haven Union Station: Transfer to the Hartford Line/Amtrak Hartford Line north to Meriden, then transfer to the 590 Bus to Middletown Bus Terminal on Main Street.

Campus shuttle service:
Wesleyan’s Transportation Department will offer campus-operated shuttles. Flag down a shuttle or you may request a shuttle by calling (860) 982-8031 during shuttle hours of operation. Please allow at least 30 minutes for requests. 

Hours of Operation:

• Thursday: 2–9 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m.–10 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.–10 p.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Shuttle Pick-up/Drop-off Locations:

• Wyllys Avenue:
  Registration, Usdan University Center, College Row, Center for the Arts
• Middlesex Corporate Center Garage
  181 Court Street at Main Street
• Inn at Middletown
  70 Main Street
• Church Street:
  Olin Library, Exley Science Center, Public Affairs Center, Clark Hall, Judd Hall
• Freeman Athletic Center, Cross Street Entrance
• Vine Street Parking Lot
• Wesleyan R.J. Julia Bookstore
  413 Main Street near Washington Street

Guests may obtain access via a self-registration page that is presented upon connecting to the Wes-Guest network. Follow these instructions for accessing Wesleyan's guest network. You will request an account using an email address and optional cell phone number where a username and password will be sent. Guest accounts will be valid for 72 hours. Guests on campus longer than that may register as often as needed.

Requests for refunds can be made up until May 12 by emailing rc@wesleyan.edu.

 

Note: refund requests made in the month of May will be processed after Reunion + Commencement weekend.

Advance ticket purchases through registration is required for all guests—including graduating seniors and current students*—attending these meals. Pick up your tickets at the Welcome + Giving Center when you arrive—tickets will not be mailed. A limited number of tickets may be available for purchase during the weekend, it is highly recommended guests purchase meals in advance through online registration.

*Meal plan does not include Reunion + Commencement weekend meals.

Please note any dietary restrictions and allergies when registering in advance. We will do our best to accommodate all requests. Vegetarian options will be offered at every meal.

Cash bars will be available at most lunches, dinners, and some events. Cash or Venmo only, and please bring a photo ID.

Breakfast, snacks, and light fare are available for purchase at several campus locations. 

Usdan Café, Usdan University Center

• Thursday: Closed
• Friday–Saturday: 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Sunday: 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

 

Pi Café, Exley Science Center

• Thursday: Closed
• Friday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Saturday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m.–11 a.m.

 

Story and Soil Café, Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore (413 Main Street)

• Thursday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Commencement Guests: all parents and families will need to make other arrangements for dinner on Saturday night. Campus events and dinners will be for Reunion alumni. Middletown offers numerous dining experiences—please visit the Downtown Middletown website.

10:45 a.m.        Procession from Foss Hill begins
11 a.m.             Ceremony begins
1 p.m.               Approximate end time of the ceremony
Andrus Field (rain or shine)

Download the Commencement Procession Map

Family members of graduating seniors who work in the field of education are invited to march as a division in the Commencement Ceremony. Educators are then welcome to sit as a division, along with a guest, or may choose to sit in general seating following the procession. Educators must supply and wear their own regalia. Please respond in the online weekend registration form if you would like to participate or contact Cecilia McCall to sign up.

Registration and tickets not necessary. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis with 5000 chairs on Andrus Field, guests may also choose to bring a lawn chair and blanket to watch the ceremony from Foss Hill. We do not anticipate limitations or restrictions on attendance of this outdoor ceremony, however, we will continue to assess health and safety concerns, making revisions to policies if necessary.

Guests are welcome to join other weekend events* such as WESeminars, which are free unless otherwise noted.

Advance registration and ticket purchase required to attend meals (light a la carte options are available for purchase on campus).

*Some events may be private and will be noted as such on the schedule.

Unless otherwise noted, all weekend events are informal. Dress casually and comfortably. The outdoor ceremony is held rain or shine—please prepare accordingly.

The ceremony will be simulcast online. Indoor viewing locations include Memorial Chapel, Patricelli '92 Theater, Exley Science Center room 150, and CFA Ring Hall. The ceremony will also be shared live on the Commencement website. 

Accessible seating at the ceremony is available for guests with mobility challenges and requests must be placed in advance. Up to three seats per student can be reserved. To request accessible seating please fill out this form.

Graduation Announcements
A limited number of graduation announcements will be made available to seniors after February 28 through the Class Dean, Jennifer Wood. A digital download is also be available for seniors and families to print on their own. 

Professional Photography
Wesleyan has partnered with GradImages and professional photographers will be at the ceremony to take a candid photograph. You may pre-register for photos and receive a coupon for 20% off your entire order.

Housing
Seniors must move out of campus housing by Monday, May 29 at 4 p.m.

Regalia
All Bachelor Regalia will be shipped to the Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore and will be available for pick up starting Monday, May 15th. Beginning February 1 until Wednesday, March 29, students purchase their caps and gowns online.

Masters and PHD candidates will either elect to pick up their package at the Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore or have it sent to their home address.
• Masters and PHD candidates who wish to have their regalia shipped to the Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore must order online by Wednesday, March 29. Masters and PHD regalia will be available for pick up at the Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore starting Monday, May 15th.
• Masters and PHD candidates who wish to have their caps and gowns shipped to a home address will have until Friday, April 28th, to order online.

Please note: There is a $15.95 shipping and handling fee for domestic ship to residence orders.

Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore: 413 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457. (860) 685-3939.

Store Hours: Sunday through Wednesday 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Cap and Gown Rental Program
The Campus Store in Usdan rents regalia as a sustainability initiative. Students may rent a cap and gown starting May 8, 2023 during normal business hours at the Campus Store in Usdan by providing a $20 cash or check deposit. Deposits cannot be made with a credit card. Students must return their rental cap and gown after the graduation ceremony to the Campus Store in Usdan to receive their deposit back.
Rentals do not include tassels. 2023 tassels will be available to purchase for $8 at the time of rental. Students who choose to purchase new regalia are encouraged to donate their cap and gown at the end of the ceremony in designated bins to be used by future graduating classes. All gowns are laundered and caps are disinfected prior to renting. There are a limited number of rentals; sizes are not guaranteed. Rental questions may be directed to Sam Burr x3190 sburr@wesleyan.edu

 

A list of current accommodations can be found on the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce's website or check our Visitor's Guide. Please contact hotels directly for reservations and also be sure to make note of their cancellation policies.

Reunion Alumni: Please visit the Reunion website for weekend accommodations for alumni.

Wesleyan is partnering with Neighborhood Preschool at 60 Long Lane to offer childcare sessions for children 3–12 years old. Each session will be staffed by Neighborhood Preschool teachers, and children must come with their own bagged meals, drinks, and snacks. Space is limited, advance registration by May 12 required. 

$50 per child per session

Session I: Friday, May 26, 5–9 p.m.
Session II: Saturday, May 27, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Session III: Saturday, May 27, 5–9 p.m.

Register by May 12

Wesleyan provides up to three seats in the accessible seating area. We ask that at least one guest/escort remain with the person requiring accessible seating for the duration of the Ceremony.

Please be advised that the accessible seating section is located outdoors on an open, grassy field, and guests should come prepared for appropriate weather conditions. Real-time simulcasts of the Ceremony will be available in locations around campus for guests who would be more comfortable indoors. Reservations do not need to be made for the indoor simulcasts.

Please complete the accessibility seating form to request seating.

Request seating

 

If you need to obtain a wheelchair:
Wesleyan is committed to full access for all people, however, we cannot provide wheelchairs on a rental basis. Please contact one of the following companies if temporary arrangements are needed:

• Ellsworth Medical
• Volusia Medical Supply
• APEX Pharmacy

E Lot on Wyllys Avenue is reserved throughout the weekend for mobility-impaired guests.

On Sunday for the Commencement ceremony  staff and students will be driving golf carts to assist in transporting guests to and from lots to the accessibility section on Andrus fields. Parking spaces are on a first-come, first-served basis—if spaces are no longer available, drivers may drop off guests on Wyllys Avenue for golf cart transportation and park elsewhere.

Google Map directions to E Lot

Download a parking map pdf