Directions | Handicap Accessibility | Announcements | Schedule | Parking | Photography | Flowers | Rain Plan | First Aid Facilities | Pets/Animals | Phones
Directions
The Olin College campus is located at 1000 Olin Way in Needham, Massachusetts, approximately 14 miles west of Boston. Click here for more detailed directions.
Once on campus, guests are asked to park in Parking Lot A.
Click here to view a map of the Olin College campus.
** Please note: A Beach Boys concert will begin in Wellesley at 5:00 pm on Sunday, May 18. Traffic into Wellesley Center will be blocked. When departing Olin after the commencement ceremony and subsequent events please avoid Rt 16 and Rt 135 west and pursue alternate routes.
Handicap Accessibility
The College has made arrangements to have the ceremony interpreted in sign language for the hearing impaired.
There will be a designated seating section to accommodate handicapped guests. Requests for handicapped seating should be sent to the Commencement Operations Committee.
Commencement and Reception Announcement Cards
In early April, each graduating senior will be given six commencement announcement cards. The purpose of these announcements is to inform your guests of the date and time of Commencement. Seniors wishing to inform more than six family members about the ceremony should notify Dean of Student Life Rod Crafts. Please note that the announcements are not formal invitations, and no invitations or tickets are necessary for admittance to the ceremony.
All graduating seniors and their immediate families are invited to the President's Reception on Saturday, May 17, 2008 from 4:00-6:00 pm. Seniors wishing to invite more than six family members to the reception should notify Dean of Student Life Rod Crafts. Current Olin College staff, faculty and their spouses are also invited to attend the reception.
Commencement Schedule
Saturday, May 17
4:00 - 6:00 pm - President's Reception
Sunday, May 18
Guest entrance to the tent will be staggered as follows:
- 2:00 Guests requiring assistance
- 2:15 Class of 2008 families
- 2:30 alumni and other invited guests (e.g., President's Council)
- 2:45 Classes of 2009, 2010 and 2011
3:00 pm - Ceremony begins
4:30 pm - Ceremony ends and a reception follows in the Oval
** Please note: A Beach Boys concert will begin in Wellesley at 5:00 pm on Sunday, May 18. Traffic into Wellesley Center will be blocked. When departing Olin after the commencement ceremony and subsequent events please avoid Rt 16 and Rt 135 west and pursue alternate routes.
Parking
Family and guests are encouraged to arrive early to better ensure a parking space. Guests are asked to park in Parking Lot A.
Photography and Videography
The Office of Communication is arranging for photographic coverage of the Olin Commencement Exercises. A photographer will be on hand to take a picture of each graduate as the diplomas are distributed. These photographs will be available through Communication following Commencement. Further information about ordering will be forthcoming closer to the Commencement ceremonies.
Due to the large number of people attending Commencement, it is necessary to restrict access to the platform and the graduates' seating area. Guests will not be able to walk or stand in the aisles to take photographs or videotape.
Flowers
The Class of 2009 will be selling wildflower bouquets at the 2008 Commencement Ceremony 1:30-3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 18. You will find a designated table outside of the ceremony tent. The flowers will come wrapped and tied with Olin color ribbons. More details will be posted soon with regards to reserving a bouquet for your graduate. All proceeds will go toward funding senior class events next year.
Rain Plan
Every attempt will be made to conduct the Commencement Ceremonies as planned. Only in the case of severe weather that might compromise the safety of guests and participants, would the ceremony be postponed or moved to a different location. The Commencement will take place under a tent, but guests should arrive prepared for New England weather conditions. The Commencement will also be simulcast in the Olin College auditorium.
First Aid Facilities
A first-aid station will be located in the lower lobby of the Campus Center (near the Wooden Waterfall) and an ambulance will be available nearby should anyone require medical assistance.
Pets/Animals
With the exception of service animals, Public Safety has requested that no animals be permitted in the Commencement tent or on College grounds during any of the planned events associated with Commencement.
Cell Phones
Please remember to turn cellular phones to the off or silent mode while in the Commencement tent.
