Student Information
Congratulations, seniors! In May we celebrate your academic achievements with a variety of activities, culminating in the conferring of degrees at a formal ceremony on Commencement Day. Please take a moment to review this information and understand how you need to prepare for graduation.
In February, the Registrar’s Office sent an Intent to Graduate survey to seniors who are eligible to graduate in the spring 2024 semester. You must meet all graduation requirements to receive a diploma on stage during the Commencement ceremony. Students unsure whether they have met all requirements should contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@middlebury.edu.
Seniors who expect to complete their degree requirements in August 2024 or by March 1, 2025 are also invited to attend Commencement. You will receive an Intent to Participate survey via email in mid-March. You must complete this survey if you intend to participate in Commencement. Please review the chart below for important details and deadlines for non-graduating seniors.
Senior Deadlines
Seniors must meet the following deadlines to participate in the Commencement ceremony.
Friday, May 3
- Deadline for non-graduating seniors to notify the Registrar’s Office of any change in plans to participate in Commencement.
Monday, April 29
- Returning Febs must complete this form to arrange for on-campus Commencement Weekend housing.
- Order printed graduation announcements from Jostens or the College Store for delivery before Commencement.
Monday, May 20
- Decline Participation
Notify the Registrar’s Office by noon if you are not planning to attend graduation.
Wednesday–Friday, May 22–24
8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Cap and Gown Distribution
Pick up cap, gown, and keepsake Commencement invitations at the middstore.
Saturday, May 25
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Final Cap and Gown Distribution
Last chance to pick up cap, gown, and keepsake Commencement invitations at the middstore.
Sunday, May 26
Commencement Day
- 9:00 a.m. Processional Lineup
Seniors check in at registration tents in front of the Davis Family Library. - 11:00 p.m. Graduate Departure
Graduates and Senior Febs must be moved out of residence halls.
Non-graduating Seniors
Participation
Non-graduating seniors who will complete their degree requirements after May but before March of the following year can participate in the May 2024 Commencement ceremonies as outlined below. May 3 is the deadline to let the Registrar’s Office know of any change to your plans regarding participation in Commencement.
| Graduation Term | Participation Details | Diplomas & Canes |
|---|---|---|
| August 2024 Graduates | You can fully participate in Commencement. You will wear a cap and gown, march with your department, your name will be called, and you will cross the stage. | You will receive a blank diploma case and your cane. |
| Ninth Semester EDST Students | You can fully participate in Commencement. You will wear a cap and gown, march with your department, your name will be called, and you will cross the stage. | You will receive a blank diploma case and your cane. |
| February 2025 Graduates who began in Fall 2020 | You can fully participate in Commencement. You will wear a cap and gown, march with your department, your name will be called, and you will cross the stage. | You will receive a blank diploma case and your cane. |
| February 2025 Graduates who began in a term other than Fall 2020 | You will wear a cap and gown and march with your department. However, you will remain seated and your name will not be called on stage. |
Housing
Non-graduating seniors (those completing degree requirements after May 2024 but by February 2025) are allowed to stay on campus during Commencement Week. Students wishing to stay must either be registered to participate in Commencement with the Registrar’s office, or sign up to participate in senior week activities with the Student Activities office. The Registrar’s and Student Activities Offices will share with Residential Life directly who has registered to stay on campus.
Returning Febs must make special arrangements for on-campus weekend housing no later than May 1 by filling out this form. Weekend housing is available from 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday of Commencement Weekend to 11:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Please note: All students must move out of residence halls no later than 11:00 p.m. on Commencement Day so the College can prepare rooms for Reunion Weekend and Language Schools.
Feb Celebration
Questions about the Feb Celebration in February should be directed to febceleb@middlebury.edu.
Regalia and Attire
Middlebury College provides complimentary regalia (caps and gowns), which may be kept as souvenirs. You may pick up caps, gowns, and two keepsake Commencement invitations from the middstore (802-443-5334) May 22–24 (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and May 25 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Please honor this dignified occasion and your family by wearing appropriate clothing and footwear. Dress for the weekend is typically smart casual. All ceremony participants must wear regalia at Commencement.
Tips
- You wear the tassel on the right side of the mortarboard until after the bachelor’s degree is conferred, at which time you move the tassel to the left.
- The dye in the gowns may bleed when wet. If it rains, you may want to wear rain gear beneath the gown to protect your clothing. The College provides ponchos at lineup that you can use for this purpose.
- Remember to remove your tassel before throwing your cap!
Senior Awards
Individual departments and programs will present departmental awards and prizes at their Commencement Weekend receptions or at other end-of-year events of their choosing. Departments and programs will notify students.
Phi Beta Kappa
Students elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honor society, are notified via email no later than 5:00 p.m. the Thursday before Commencement. The Phi Beta Kappa ceremony is Saturday at 9:00 a.m. in Wilson Hall at the McCullough Student Center. Continental breakfast is available at the Grille, across from Wilson Hall, at 8:30 a.m. Phi Beta Kappa recipients and their guests are welcome.
Class Photo
The senior class will gathering during senior week for a class photo. Check the Senior Week schedule for details. Order information will be provided by the Senior Week Committee.
Commencement Day Instructions
- Arrive at the Davis Family Library at 9:00 a.m.
- Check in at the correct registration tent. You will check in alphabetically by last name (look for signs on each of four tents). You will receive the tassel for your mortarboard here!
- Proceed to the walkway along Starr Hall and the Axinn Center—only after checking in at the registration tent.
- Locate the department/program with which you have chosen to march. Signs for each department will be posted along both sides of the walkway in alphabetical order. You will march in two lines, divided roughly in half by department (A–I and I–T). Line up alphabetically by last name within your department, as indicated on the sign. Staff from the Dean of Students Office will be there to assist.
- Remain in line and wait for the two student marshals to begin the procession. All seniors should be registered and lined up by 9:40 a.m. We do not wait for late arrivals!
- The procession begins at 9:50 a.m. Please remain in double lines as you march.
- As prompted by the student marshals, the procession will stop when it reaches the senior seating area. The two lines of seniors turn to face each other and step back to let the faculty pass between. Please applaud your faculty as they pass.
- Once faculty have passed through, follow the student marshals to your seats.
- At the end of the ceremony, you will “recess” in similar fashion. Stand at your seats and file out after the faculty, in the same order that you marched in. The recessional proceeds up the hill to the chapel lawn for Commencement luncheon. Please prearrange a meeting place with your family.
Diploma
The folder you receive on stage at Commencement contains your diploma. Please take it with you after the ceremony.
Graduate Departure
All graduates and Senior Febs must move out of residence halls no later than 11:00 p.m. on Commencement Day. This deadline is enforced so that rooms can be prepared for Reunion Weekend and Language Schools. Be prepared! If possible, ship nonessential items home in advance. Pack remaining items during Senior Week.