Commencement 2023

Here's some helpful information if you're planning to attend:

• Invitations and Guests

  Graduates may bring up to 10 guests. You must RSVP for Commencement through the emailed invitation which will be sent in March. Please RSVP from your Lesley email account. No tickets are required for Commencement.

• Commencement Regalia and Honors

  Honors and Cords/Stoles

  Latin Honors are awarded to qualifying undergraduate degree candidates and given out during student line-up the day of Commencement. Cords/stoles are awarded by the individual schools/programs and do not need to be purchased.

  Ordering Regalia

  Academic regalia is required. You may order standard black regalia (cap, gown, and tassel) at the Herff Jones website, where you’ll find the appropriate items for each degree type. Orders are due by Friday, April 14 for Herff Jones to guarantee receipt in time for the May 20 Commencement date. Any order placed after this date will incur additional shipping costs and Herff Jones cannot guarantee an on-time delivery.

  For PhD Doctoral students, custom Lesley regalia can be ordered at Balfour & Co Buildagrad.

  The gowns are made-to-order and require 6 to 8 weeks for completion. The website closing date is April 2, 2023.

  The university will provide the hoods to all 2023 doctoral graduates. Hoods will be mailed to students who are unable to participate in the ceremony.

  For questions regarding Commencement regalia, please email bookstore@lesley.edu.

• Schedule, Ceremony Details, and Photography

  Schedule:

  9:00 am: Ceremony for the Graduate School of Education and the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences

  • 8:00 am: Graduates arrive
  • 8:15 am: Gates open for guests
  • 9:00 am: Ceremony begins
  • 11:30 am: Ceremony concludes

  
  1:30 pm: Ceremony for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Art and Design, and the Threshold Program

  • 12:30 pm: Graduates arrive
  • 12:45 pm: Gates open for guests
  • 1:30 pm: Ceremony begins
  • 4:00 pm: Ceremony concludes

  
  Please note that graduates of the MFA in Visual Arts, MFA in Photography and Integrated Media, MBA, MSM, and MSW graduate programs should participate in the afternoon ceremony, with the College of Art and Design and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

  Order of Procession

  Degree candidates march in order according to their degree level with the most advanced degrees first. Candidates are called to the stage to accept their degrees in order, with the most advanced degrees receiving their diploma cases first.

  Livestream

  The ceremonies will be livestreamed on Lesley’s YouTube channel and recordings will be made available on YouTube following the ceremonies.

  Photography

  Professional photography company E-lluminations will be on-site to photograph each graduate as you receive your diploma and after you exit the stage. Find additional information and order photos at e-lluminations.com. You can place orders before and after Commencement. Each graduate will receive a link that includes access to your photos and the ability to purchase them. 

  Lesley University does not produce yearbooks, however, you can download your program booklet once it’s posted on this site.

Planning Your Trip

See information on the venue, accessibility, hotels, parking, and transportation for the 2023 Commencement.

• Hotels

  Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel

  606 Congress St.
  Boston, MA 02210
  617.338.4111
  4 min walk
  Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel

  Hyatt Place Boston Hotel

  295 Northern Ave.
  Boston, MA 02210
  857.328.1234
  2 min walk
  Hyatt Place Hotel

  Seaport Hotel Boston

  1 Seaport Lane
  Boston, MA 02210
  617.385.4000
  8 min walk
  Seaport Hotel

  The Envoy Hotel, Autograph Collection

  70 Sleeper St.
  Boston, MA 02210
  617.338.3030
  14 min walk
  Envoy Hotel

  Hampton Inn Boston

  670 Summer St.
  Boston, MA 02210
  857.356.3033
  14 min walk
  Hampton Inn

• Parking and Public Transportation

  There are a variety of parking options* including:

  EDIC Garage

  373 Northern Ave.
  Boston, MA 02210

  South Boston Waterfront Transportation Center

  503 Congress St.
  Boston, MA 02210
  857.350.4569
  8 min walk
  Parking Reservation

  Seaport Hotel Parking Garage

  1 Seaport Lane
  Boston, MA 02210
  617.385.4530
  8 min walk
  Parking Reservation

  * Anyone requiring special attention or those who have mobility challenges may be dropped off curbside.

  Public Transportation

  Take the MBTA subway, commuter rail or bus to South Station and connect with the MBTA Silver Line Waterfront (one level above the red line, one level below the food court) to the Silver Line Way. The Leader Bank Pavilion is a short walk from this stop.

• Accessibility Support

  ASL Interpretation

  American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters will be present at Commencement.

  Wheelchair Accessibility

  The venue is graded and accessible. There is a wheelchair lift to access the stage for individuals who need assistance. Please allow additional time. The Pavilion has a team of four stagehands that operate these lifts and will assist with any needs.

  Disability and Access Services

  Please make requests for any disability-related accommodations (e.g., vision impairment, hearing impairment, or physical disability requiring use of a wheelchair) during the event in advance, no later than May 12, 2023. Guests should contact Disability & Access Services by phone at 617.349.8655, relay 711 or via email at disabilityaccess@lesley.edu. 

  Oxygen Sources

  There are two box seats available for oxygen tanks with outlets for oxygen sources.

• Venue Information, Guidelines and Restrictions

  Leader Bank Pavilion
  290 Northern Ave.
  Boston, MA 02210

  Animals

  Animals are not allowed in the venue with the exception of service animals. We regret that emotional support animals are also not permitted.

  Strollers

  Strollers are permitted in the venue. Anyone with a stroller should sit toward the back, on the far left or far right side of the aisles so that the strollers do not obstruct the fire lanes.

  No Family on Stage

  We regret that we are not able to accommodate requests to bring graduates’ children or family members on stage to walk with them or to hand them their diplomas.

  Venue Policies

  The following venue bag policy applies to everyone in attendance, including students, guests, faculty, and staff:

  • Max size of 12”x 6”x 12”
  • All bags are subject to search

  
  Late arriving guests may be held at the entrance gate before being seated until the processional is over.

  Due to the proximity of the Harbor and Airport, the Pavilion does not allow balloons inside of the gates.

  Graduates should carry limited items as you will not go back to the same seat you started with.

  For more information on the venue, please visit the Leader Bank Pavilion website.

Covid-19 Protocols

The health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and guests is of the utmost importance to us. We are taking all necessary steps to ensure a safe and successful event for everyone.

• Staying Safe

  Requirements may change based on the conditions at the time of and leading up to Commencement Day. Currently masks are optional for this event. All students who wish to participate in Commencement are required to be vaccinated or have an approved exemption due to religious or medical reasons. At this time, guests are not required to show proof of vaccination. However, it is highly recommended that each attendee be vaccinated. If these requirements change, we will update this webpage with any new protocols.

  (Please note that we are offering handshakes at Commencement this year but if you prefer to not shake hands as a health and safety precaution you may keep your hand down when crossing the stage.) 

Doctoral Draping Ceremony

• Covid-19 Requirements

  Please note that our protocols may change based on the public health conditions at the time of and leading up to Commencement week. 

  Masks are optional to be worn at any of the events. Masks should be removed when you go up to receive your academic hood.

  All students who wish to participate in the Draping Ceremony are required to be vaccinated or have an approved exemption due to religious or medical reasons. At this time, guests are not required to show proof of vaccination. However, it is highly recommended that each attendee be vaccinated. If these requirements change, we will update this page with any new protocols. 

  If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please do not attend the PhD ceremony. You'll find any updates to protocol on this webpage.

• Invitations

  Invitations will be sent the week of March 27th to the graduate’s Lesley email address using Cvent. Please RSVP no later than April 28th. 

• Guests

  Doctoral students are permitted to invite six guests per student.

• Regalia and Hoods

  Academic regalia is required. You may order standard black regalia from Herff Jones. The deadline to order is Friday, April 14. Any order placed after this date will incur additional shipping costs and Herff Jones cannot guarantee an on-time delivery.

  The university will provide the hoods to all 2023 doctoral graduates. Hoods will be mailed to 2023 graduates who are unable to participate in the ceremony.

  Custom regalia

  For PhD Doctoral students, custom Lesley regalia can be ordered at Balfour & Co Buildagrad.

  The gowns are made-to-order and require six to eight weeks for completion. The website closing date is April 2, 2023.

• Photos

  A photographer will take a photo of each graduate as they receive their hood and directly after. Photos will be available to order online.

• Livestreaming

  We aim to livestream the event to Lesley’s YouTube channel.  More information to come. 

• Directions and Parking

  Guests

  Parking on the Lesley campus is very limited, so public transportation is highly encouraged. The Harvard Square T-stop on the MBTA Red Line is closest to South Campus and First Church.

  Public parking is also available nearby in Harvard Square. Harvard Square Parking Garage, 20 Eliot Street, is the closest. 

  You may drop off guests at South Campus prior to parking. The drop-off location is at the intersection of 5 Phillips Place and St. John’s Road.  

  Accessible parking spaces are available in both Lot P and Lot Q on South Campus. Reach out to loneill6@lesley.edu as soon as possible if you need an accessible parking space.

  Parking in Harvard Square at 52 Oxford Street Garage

  Guests will be able to purchase a parking permit for this event from the Harvard Online Parking Permit System. The fee is $20 per vehicle. Permits may be purchased two weeks in advance of May 20. When purchasing, choose "Other" from the dropdown in Reason for Visit.

  The permit must be printed and presented to the Parking Services Monitor to receive an access card. The Permit will then need to be displayed on the dashboard of your vehicle while you park in the 52 Oxford Street Garage.       

  Purchase a parking permit from the Harvard Online Parking Permit System.

  Faculty, Staff, and Student Parking

  Faculty, staff, and students may park on Doble or Porter campus on a first come, first served basis. (Parking on South Campus is not available.)  Shuttle vans will be operating from both Porter and Doble to South Campus.

• Restrooms

  Accessible restrooms are available in First Church, Sherrill Library, and Washburn Hall on South Campus.

• ADA Accommodations

  If you or your guests require any ADA accommodations to participate, please reach out to loneill6@lesley.edu as soon as possible to coordinate your requests. Accessible parking spaces are available in both Lot P and Lot Q on South Campus with prior registration.

• Reception following Draping Ceremony

  Following the Draping Ceremony, graduates and their guests (up to six guests per student) are invited to attend the All-School graduation reception to be held on South Campus. 

• Pre-Draping Ceremonies

  Pre-Draping Ceremonies are smaller, school-specific, ceremonies organized by each School:

  Graduate School of Education, 11:00 am-12:15 pm, First Church in Cambridge, 11 Garden Street. Guests may arrive starting at 10:30 am.

  Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences, 11:00 am-12:15 pm, Sherrill Hall, Room 350. Guests may arrive starting at 10:30 am.

  More information will be provided by the School to the graduating student.