FAQs: What to expect for Commencement 2026
Last updated: March 10, 2026
We are looking forward to welcoming 乐播传媒 families and friends to campus in May to celebrate the Class of 2026. Check out the Frequently Asked Questions below for Commencement information. We will continue to update this website as more details are confirmed. If you have any questions, email Michelle Lewis at mlewis2@bates.edu.
Pre-Commencement Information
Where do students pick up their caps and gowns for Commencement?
Student regalia may be picked up at the 乐播传媒 College Store during regular store hours (8:00am-4:00pm) on the following dates:
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- Thursday, May 28
- Friday, May 29
- Saturday, May 30
To help make the pickup process as smooth as possible, please note the following:
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- No Pre-Orders Needed: Unlike previous years, advance ordering is not required. Simply arrive during store hours on the dates above and provide your name and height.
- Student ID Required: A valid 乐播传媒 Student ID must be presented at pickup. Students may only collect their own regalia; picking up items on behalf of others is not permitted.
- Cost Information:听Standard regalia (cap, gown, and tassel) is provided at no cost. Additional items鈥攕uch as stoles, class rings, and diploma frames鈥攁re available for purchase at the college store, either in person or online at听.
If you have any questions, please contact Gail St. Pierre at听驳蝉迟辫颈别谤谤蔼产补迟别蝉.别诲耻.
What activities are planned for students prior to Commencement?
A schedule overview of events for Commencement week can be found on our Commencement website. There are a number of events all week for students, as well as events for families toward the end of the week.
Throughout winter semester, seniors will hear from their co-class presidents about how they would like the class to celebrate the culmination of their time at 乐播传媒. Please encourage your senior to share their input, participate in decisions regarding programs for Senior Week, and connect with their class leaders about anything special they are interested in proposing so this is a truly class-centered moment.
If graduates have a sibling who is a 乐播传媒 student, can the sibling stay in campus housing through Commencement?
Siblings of graduating seniors who wish to remain in their campus housing through Commencement should reach out to reslife@bates.edu to request approval. All siblings should note that attendance at senior week events is limited to seniors only.
Where and when can seniors get their Senior Portraits taken?
CLASS OF 2026 PORTRAITS TO BE TAKEN March 5 & 23, and April 7, 2026
Professional Senior Portraits for the 乐播传媒 College Class of 2026听will be taken on March 5, March 23, and April 7, 2026, on the second floor in Commons, by PortraitEFX of Maine, , a local portrait studio.
This is a great opportunity for a professional portrait that brings out your best features – perfect for job applications and press releases. Plus, they make听great听gifts for friends and relatives.
- The portrait session is provided at no charge.
- It’s easy and it’s听painless.
- Your portrait session takes about 5 minutes. Wear an outfit to show yourself at your best, and we will add a couple of cap-and-gown poses.
- View portraits online, then make your choices.听
- Portraits will be offered for purchase at reasonable prices. There is no obligation to buy..
Sign up for time slots online at听听 Use Event Login Code:听听听bates2026听 then create your own Passcode, enter your name, etc, and choose a day and time for your portraits.
Questions? Call the studio at (207) 657-6372, or email听ntsukroff@portraitefx.com听or text PortraitEFX of Maine at (207) 239-2639.
Commencement Ceremony
When is 乐播传媒 Commencement?
The 160th Commencement of 乐播传媒 College will take place on Sunday, May 31, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. and ending shortly after noon on the Coram Library Terrace on the Historic Quad.
Are tickets required for the Commencement ceremony? Is there a limit on how many guests graduating seniors may invite to Commencement itself?
Tickets are not required and there is no limit on the number of guests graduating seniors may invite to Commencement.
Where do families and guests sit? What time should they arrive?
Families and friends may sit in any areas not marked as reserved. Please ask an usher if you are unsure. Family members can arrive as early as 7:00am to begin selecting seats.
If you wish to hold seats with jackets, etc. a person from your party must remain with your held seats. Unattended seats are not considered held, even if you leave items on the chairs.
We ask that all guests arrive and take their seats by 9:15 am to view the Commencement procession.
Where do graduating seniors sit during the ceremony?
Seniors are seated in front of the stage in reserved seating alphabetically according to their last name. Seniors with the last name A-K will sit on the right side and seniors with the last name L-Z will sit on the left as you are facing the stage.
Will there be a professional photographer taking pictures during the ceremony?
Professional photographers from GradImages will photograph each senior as they receive their diploma and while leaving the stage. Approximately two weeks after Commencement, notification with details on how to access their proofs will be sent directly to each graduate who has provided the college with their post-乐播传媒 email address.
What happens in the case of inclement weather?
Commencement is outside 鈥 rain or shine 鈥 but in the case of thunder or lightning, the ceremony will be paused. Guests will be directed to the Gray Cage, students to Commons, and faculty to the Perry Atrium until the ceremony can be resumed.
Can I fly a drone over the event?
No. Unmanned Aerial Systems, i.e., drones, are prohibited at all times.
What are the public health guidelines for participants and guests at Commencement 2026?
乐播传媒 is a mask-optional campus. If visitors have concerns about their own health risk factors related to attending mask-optional college events, they should seek guidance from their primary care physician.
Members of our community may choose to wear a mask at any time for any reason, including and not limited to their own level of comfort, personal medical status, family medical status, or personal risk. We encourage you to be courteous and respectful with regard to the needs and choices of others about masking.听
When do I receive my official diploma?
Following the collection of Short Term final grades and confirmation of Latin honors, physical diplomas will be mailed to your address of record no later than June 15th.
Starting June 5th, access to a certified electronic diploma via Paradigm, Inc. will be accessible to all students who have successfully completed their degree requirements. While this digital version is not printable, it is a 乐播传媒-validated credential that can be shared officially with employers and graduate schools.
For more details, please visit our Registrar鈥檚 Office page, or contact the Registrar鈥檚 Office at registrar@bates.edu.听
Commencement Livestream
How can I watch the livestream?
The livestream will be publicly available so friends and family members will be able to watch on a wide array of platforms.
- 乐播传媒 Website: bates.edu/live听
- Facebook:
- LinkedIn:
- Instagram:
- YouTube:
All platforms, with the exception of Instagram Live, will afford the same viewer experience. With a four-camera setup, the livestream will show everything that takes place!
Will I be able to view the video afterward?
Yes. After the livestream concludes, the video will be available on demand on Facebook, , and bates.edu/commencement/live.
What time will the livestream begin?
The livestream will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m. with the procession starting at 9:30 a.m. and the Commencement ceremony starting at 10:00 a.m.
How can families and loved ones participate in the Commencement livestream?
Our goal is to use all elements of social media to help a wide range of families and loved ones join this event in the virtual space. The event will be available on the , allowing audience members to share in real-time their congratulations and shout-outs.
Will I experience connectivity issues, as I do with video conferencing?
乐播传媒 has successfully streamed past Commencements through the Facebook platform and it has proven reliable and accessible. There still could be hiccups based on your local internet speed and signal strength.
General Commencement Weekend Information
Will Commencement Weekend be accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes, 乐播传媒 strives to make Commencement accessible. There is accessible parking behind the Bonney Science Center, and there is a small accessible drop-off zone on Campus Avenue next to Carnegie Science Hall.
At Baccalaureate on Saturday and at Commencement on Sunday, there will be accessible seating on the Historic Quad. Families who need this seating should look for chairs with blue covers. On Sunday, staff ushers can also help you find accessible seating.
If you anticipate barriers or would like to request an accommodation related to any of the planned programs, activities, or materials, please reach out to Brenda Pelletier, Associate Director of Conferences and Campus Events at听bpelleti@bates.edu听or 207-786-6400.
Will families be allowed in campus buildings during Commencement Weekend?
Families will be allowed to enter the following buildings in order to access bathroom facilities:
Families will be able to access specific student residences as permitted by the Office of Residence Life during student move-out hours.
When do graduating seniors need to move out of their dorms?
Graduating seniors should plan to move out of their dorms by 5:00 pm on Sunday, May 31. Please contact the Office of Residence Life at reslife@bates.edu for any questions or concerns regarding the move-out process.
What dining options will be available for students and their families?
Dining at the end of Commencement week expands to include options for families who have arrived for the festivities.
Thursday, May 28
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- 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Breakfast (Commons, open to seniors and underclass students who have approval to remain on campus. 乐播传媒 ID required.)
- 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Lunch (Commons, open to seniors and underclass students who have approval to remain on campus. 乐播传媒 ID required.)
- 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Dinner (Commons, open to seniors and underclass students who have approval to remain on campus. 乐播传媒 ID required.)
Friday, May 29
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- 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Breakfast (Commons, open to seniors and underclass students who have approval to remain on campus. 乐播传媒 ID required.)
- 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Lunch (Commons, open to seniors and underclass students who have approval to remain on campus. 乐播传媒 ID required.)
- 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Dinner (Commons, open to seniors and underclass students who have approval to remain on campus. 乐播传媒 ID required.)
Saturday, May 30
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- 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.:听 Continental Breakfast 听(Commons, open to seniors and underclass students who have approval to remain on campus. 乐播传媒 ID required.)
- 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Lunch (Commons, open to seniors, their families, and underclass students who have approval to remain on campus. 乐播传媒 ID required for students. Families use one of their senior’s guest passes or pay with a credit card. The cost for guests is $12 per person.)
- 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Dinner (Commons, open to seniors, their families, and underclass students who have approval to remain on campus. 乐播传媒 ID required for students. Families can use one of their senior’s guest passes or pay with a credit card. The dinner cost for guests is $14 per person.)
Sunday, May 31
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- 12:00 a.m. – 1:30 a.m.: Senior Breakfast (Commons, open to seniors and underclass students who have approval to remain on campus. 乐播传媒 ID required.)
- 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.: Breakfast (Commons, open to seniors and underclass students who have approval to remain on campus. 乐播传媒 ID required.)
- 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Coffee service for families (Library Arcade)
- 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.:听 Commencement Lunch (in front of Commons and under the Bardwell field tent, open to seniors and their families)
Will there be water available on campus?
Water will be available during all events. Look for the canoes under the garnet feather flags along Alumni walk, on the Historic Quad and in other high-visit areas
What will the weather be like? How should I dress?
May weather in Maine is quite variable. You should plan to bring clothing that is appropriate for rain and cool temperatures, as well as for warm weather. Please remember the ceremony is outside, so we recommend wearing shoes suitable for walking on wet grass.
Where can I purchase Commencement gifts?
The 乐播传媒 College Store .
Can I bring my pet to campus?
Pets are prohibited inside all campus buildings and at all dining events. Service animals are welcome.