Guests

Area Accommodations

Many of the colleges in the Hudson Valley share their commencement weekend with Vassar. This means demand for local hotel accommodations will be high. Please see the Lodging page on our Visit site for more information and updates.

Restaurant Reservations

As stated above, demand at local eateries will be high. Please make reservations as early as possible. For a list of area restaurants please see the Dining page on our Visit site. For on campus dining options please visit vassar.cafebonappetit.com.

Parking

Automobile access to Main campus is prohibited from 9:00 p.m. Saturday through Commencement Day at 3:00 p.m. All guests must park at the Vassar College Farm and Ecological Preserve at 50 Vassar Farm Lane, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604. Shuttle buses will run continuously Sunday morning from the Farm and South Lot to the Commencement site. Return Shuttles will operate from the end of the ceremony until 3pm.

The campus will re-open to vehicular traffic at approximately 3:00 p.m.

Accessibility

Vehicle Access

During the registration process, guests will request accommodations due to mobility needs. Campus Activities will work with each guest individually. In most cases a “pass” will be issued to gain vehicular access to campus for drop off and then directed to Commencement parking. Guests will be met by Commencement staff and driven, via golf cart, to Commencement Hill.

Accessible Seating

For those who are not able to navigate the sloped nature of the Outdoor Amphitheater, a limited number of seats at the top of Commencement Hill are reserved in advance (with prior approval) by Campus Activities. Due to the limited seating, accommodated individuals will be permitted to have one support person accompany them. There are also options to watch the ceremony in accessible indoor locations.

Climate Controlled Spaces

Martel Theater in the Vogelstein Center for Drama and Film & Spitzer Auditorium in the Sanders Classroom Building are designated Indoor locations for live-stream of the ceremony, with closed captioning. Both The Martel Theater and Spitzer Auditorium are accessible and are air conditioned.

Directions

For directions to parking use the following address: 50 Vassar Farm Lane, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604. For general directions and travel methods to the main campus, see the Directions page on our Visit site.

Things to Do

See the Community page our Visit site.