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Commencement 2008

• Undergraduate Speaker
• Graduate Speaker
• Guest Information
• Student Information
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Guest Information

HELPFUL TIPS:

Get here early

Although there is unlimited seating, it is on a first come/first serve basis There will be overflow seating available where the ceremonies can viewed on large screens There is plenty of parking available, but traffic does back up on Forest Street in the hour prior to the ceremony; avoid the crunch!

This is an outdoor event — although under a large tent. (Please note: One year the temperatures were in the high 80s, but another year, it was 34 degrees and sleeting). Please come prepared! There will be inside viewing options available on large screens.

For those who need special assistance:

Please refer to the information below or contact The Conference Center at 781.891.2273.

Read on for more details and enjoy your day at Bentley!

Seating for Guests
Guest seating is located under the main commencement tent, facing the Bentley Library, and in tents on either side of the library which will be equipped with large viewing screens. Seating is first come, first served. For guests who prefer to sit indoors, the ceremony is broadcast live on large video screens in the LaCava Center, Wilder Pavilion in the Adamian Academic Center, and the Koumantzelis Auditorium in Lindsay Hall. All indoor locations have comfortable seats, unobstructed views and easy access to restrooms.

Parking on Campus
Campus Police will direct commencement guests to available parking areas. We urge you to arrive early. The upper campus lots become very congested and fill up quickly. Shuttle services will be provided throughout the day to bring guests from the parking areas to the commencement site. Services will begin at 8:00 a.m., in the upper campus lots. To avoid traffic backup, we encourage you not to drop guests off at the commencement site.

For more information on the shuttle service, please visit www.128bc.org or call 781.890.0093.

Handicap Parking
Arrangements for handicap parking and wheelchair access should be made in advance. Please call The Conference Center at 781.891.2273 before April 25. Be prepared to provide the make of the vehicle and license number of the car they will be using that day.

Accessibility
Bentley College is committed to improving accessibility and providing accommodations for individuals with mobility, visual, or hearing impairments.

For individuals with a hearing impairment, a sign language interpreter will be provided throughout the ceremony. However, a formal request is necessary to assist in this process. To request a sign language interpreter, please call The Conference Center at 781.891.2273 before April 25.

For individuals with a hearing impairment, assistive listening devices will be provided upon request. To request an assistive listening device, please call The Conference Center at 781.891.2273 before April 25.

For individuals with mobility impairments, a special drop-off location has been reserved between the LaCava Center and the Morison Building, where golf carts are available to transport people with mobility challenges to the tent area. The driver will be directed to the nearest lot where the vehicle may be parked.

For each individual with a mobility, visual, or hearing impairment and one additional family member, seating located near the front of the tent will be available and clearly marked. To receive information concerning special seating, please contact The Conference Center at 781.891.2273 before April 25. After April 25, reserved special seating cannot be guaranteed.

Due to the size of the event, there are a limited number of reserved, accessible parking spots available on campus. To request a reserved, accessible parking spot, please contact The Conference Center at 781.891.2273 before April 25. Note: Reserved parking cannot be guaranteed.

There are fully accessible rest rooms available in buildings surrounding the ceremony tent, specifically Morison Hall, Adamian Academic Center, Lindsay Hall, and the LaCava Center.

If you have further questions regarding accessibility issues, or would like to request an accommodation not listed above, please contact The Conference Center at 781.891.2273 before April 25.

Food and Beverages
The Starbucks in the LaCava Lower Cafeteria will be open Saturday, May 17, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Breakfast items will be available for purchase until 10:00 a.m. at a concession stand on campus.

Photographs
A professional photographer will take pictures of your student as he or she shakes hands with the president as well as when he or she leaves the stage. There is no obligation to purchase any photographs. The company hired by Bentley is Chappell Studios. You may contact them at 800.424.3686 for additional information.

Video
A company headed by Bentley student Chris Ronzio will videotape your student as he or she receives her degree.  That moment and others captured on video during the ceremony will be available for sale through the company, Firewire Films. There is no obligation to purchase. For more information, call 617.543.9276 or visit www.fwfilms.com/fwcart.

College Bookstore
The Bentley College Bookstore in Collins Hall, operated by Barnes & Noble, will be open during the days and hours noted below. Stop by to purchase your diploma frame, Bentley clothing, souvenirs, gifts, flowers, cards, film, batteries, snacks, and drinks. You can also order your official Bentley class ring at this time. For more information about the bookstore, please visit their web site at http://bentley.bkstore.com.

Friday, May 16, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 17, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.