For Guests

Information Booth

The Information Booth is located behind the seating area (next to the commemorative bell).

Bookstore & ATM

The Coop (and an ATM) are located on basement floor of Spangler Center.

Children

Harvard Yard Ceremony

• For events that require tickets (morning ceremonies in Harvard Yard), only infants and small toddlers who will remain in an adult’s lap for the ceremony’s duration can enter without tickets.

• Children are not permitted in the graduate seating area in Harvard Yard (i.e., graduates cannot have their children sit with them).

• Limited access to restrooms is available in Harvard Yard.

• Strollers are strongly discouraged because they pose a danger in case of emergency.

• Strollers are not permitted in the guest seating areas and will need to be left in a designated area near the gates leading out of Harvard Yard.

Harvard Business School Diploma Ceremony

Children of HBS graduates are invited to cross the stage with their parent. Graduating students can find more information and the required form for requesting children on stage (login required) on myHBS.

Dining

All retail dining locations on campus will be open.

Dress Code

May weather in Boston can be variable (hot and humid, cool, or raining), so use your judgment when deciding what to wear. The Harvard and HBS ceremonies will be held outside in most weather conditions, including rain. For Commencement, HBS recommends business casual attire. Other useful accessories to bring include sunscreen, sun hats, umbrellas/ponchos, blankets, sunglasses, and water bottles.

Emergency & Guest Alert Systems

HBS Safety & Security: 617-495-5577

If you see something, say something. In accordance with state law, weapons are not permitted. Small handbags, purses, and camera bags will be subject to search by security personnel. Please do not bring large-size bags, back- packs, luggage, briefcases, gift bags, wrapped gifts, pack- ages, or balloons to the lawn area. There are no on-campus storage locations available. If you or a family member are traveling with personal security, please call (617) 495-5577.

Harvard Yard Security

Guests will be screened with hand wand magnetometers by security personnel. No backpacks, strollers, duffle bags, or pouches will be allowed into Harvard Yard. Handbags and pocketbooks will be searched by security.

Emergencies: 617-495-1212

In the event of an emergency, contact the Harvard University Police Department at (617) 495-1212. Police personnel will be available on Baker Lawn for both the Class Day and Commencement ceremonies.

Text Updates

To receive updates or emergency messages while on campus, simply text HBSGRAD to 888777. You will receive an automated confirmation response. Following Commencement Day, you will automatically be removed from the system. Note that standard text-messaging/data rates may apply.

Extreme Weather

• Ceremonies will be held outdoors, rain or shine. In the event of extreme weather (lightning, high winds), HBS will implement a Severe Weather Plan.

• In the case of severe weather on Class Day, only graduating students with Harvard IDs go to Klarman Hall Auditorium. All guests will be directed to Spangler Auditorium, Aldrich, and Hawes classrooms for simulcast.

• In the case of severe weather for the HBS Diploma Ceremony on Thursday, MBA graduates are directed to Klarman Hall. Seating on Commencement day for guests is anticipated to be limited and guests are encouraged to view the ceremony online. Simulcast locations will be available on campus in Spangler Auditorium, Aldrich, and Hawes as space allows. The ceremony for Doctoral graduates and guests will take place in the Spangler Center Williams Room.

• Harvard will feature a live webcast of the exercises on the Harvard University website.

• Commencement Exercises may be seen on Comcast Cable (channel 283) in Boston/Brookline and Cambridge/Greater Boston.

First Aid

First Aid is available behind the seating area (next to the commemorative bell).

Harvard Yard & HBS Shuttle

• Walking is the quickest and easiest way for guests to get back and forth from Harvard Yard.

• Shuttle buses will be running, but heavy traffic and large crowds on Commencement Day can affect the shuttle schedule.

• See the Shuttle Tracker for detailed information about the shuttle service.

Hotels

Arrangements for accommodations should be made as soon as possible. Local hotels book up quickly during the graduation season. Please see the “Plan Your Visit” section on the Harvard University Commencement website for information pertaining to local hotels.

Lost & Found

Lost and Found is located in the Security Center in Aldrich.

Parking

Free parking will be available at HBS on Commencement Day in the Spangler surface lot and the SFP and OWA parking garages. Historically, the parking garages have had enough capacity to accommodate guests. Overflow parking is available at the Harvard Football Stadium using the Gate 8 entrance.

Campus Map & Directions

Photography & Video

Photographers & videographers will be on campus recording Class Day & Commencement activities. Your presence and comments may be captured and appear in photos and videos in School publications and websites. Photographs of each graduate receiving his or her diploma will be available for purchase after the event through GradImages.

Restrooms & Lactation Rooms

Restrooms

• Aldrich Hall

• Cumnock Hall

• Hawes Hall (gender neutral on second floor)

• Klarman Center

• Shad Hall

• Spangler Center (gender neutral on first floor)

Lactation Rooms

• Aldrich Hall

• Cumnock Hall

• Spangler Center

Security

Harvard Business School Campus

In an effort to provide a safe and secure environment on Baker Library Lawn for the Class Day and Commencement celebrations, normal-size handbags, purses, and camera bags will be allowed and will be subject to search by security personnel. Please do not bring large-size bags, backpacks, luggage, briefcases, gift bags, wrapped gifts, packages, or balloons to the lawn area. Do you have a family member or guest traveling with a security detail? Please email MBA Student & Academic Services for more information.

Harvard Yard Ceremony

Harvard Yard gates open at 6:45 AM. All guests will be required to show a Commencement ticket to security personnel at the gate. Guests should be seated by 8:30 AM for the start of the Commencement ceremony. Guest will be screened with hand wand magnetometers by security personnel. No backpacks, strollers, duffle bags, or pouches will be allowed into the Harvard Yard. Handbags and pocketbooks will be searched by security.

Simulcast Locations & Live Streaming

• HBS Class Day (Wednesday, May 28) and Diploma Ceremony (Thursday, May 29) will be livestreamed on the landing page of this website.

• Harvard University Morning Commencement Exercises in Harvard Yard (Thursday, May 29) will be livestreamed on the Harvard University website and on Comcast cable (channel 283) in Boston/Brookline and Cambridge/Greater Boston.

• The above ceremonies will also be televised in Klarman Hall Auditorium for guests of graduates. Klarman Hall Auditorium offers air conditioning and comfortable seating. Guests may find this location more comfortable than Harvard Yard, which may have obstructed views.

• Spangler Center is available for guests and families to relax, make phone calls, and meet up with each other during and after morning Commencement activities.

Ticket Information

Please view schedule for ticket information.

Visas for Guests

HBS is able to provide a Commencement Invitation letter in support of guests’ visa applications. HBS does NOT arrange visas for guests.

Graduating students can find more information and the required form for requesting a letter in support of guests’ visa applications (login required) on myHBS.

Wi-Fi

Use “HBSGuest” — no password is required.