For Families and Guests

Commencement at Williams is a moving and joyous occasion for families and friends as well as for graduating seniors. Here are resources and suggestions to help ensure the experience is comfortable and relaxing, as well as exciting, for all. If you or your guests have accessibility needs, please visit our Accessibility for Guests page or reach out to us with any questions or concerns.

Note: Commencement will be outdoors even if there is light to moderate rain. A live stream will be available in Chapin Hall if you prefer to view the ceremony indoors.  No tickets required.

And please share your experiences on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media using the hashtag #Williams2024.


Getting to Williamstown

Various approaches–by trains, planes, automobiles, and buses–follow. If you’re flying into Albany or Hartford, keep in mind that ground transportation from those airports to Williamstown means renting a car or hiring a driver.

Where to Stay

While Williamstown and nearby communities offer a wide range of lodging, venues closest to campus get booked early, so make your reservations as early as possible. It’s very difficult to cancel hotel/motel rooms and receive a refund for this weekend, so if for some reason you don’t need a reserved room, you can try offering it on Williams Switchboard.

Graduating seniors and mid-cycle seniors receiving financial aid from Williams are welcome to reserve on-campus housing for their guests over Commencement Weekend. These rooms are in vacated student residence halls with shared bathrooms and no air-conditioning. Each senior may reserve up to four rooms, with one bed per room, for a maximum of four guests. Williams will charge your student account $30 for each room, in advance and non-refundable, for the entire weekend (both Friday and Saturday nights). Williams will reach out to all eligible seniors in February with instructions on how to reserve campus guest rooms. Note: mid-cycle seniors will be invited to Commencement 2025 as well but can only use this housing benefit once.

Nearby Dining Options

Suggestions from Berkshire Menus

Tickets

For information on tickets for Baccalaureate and Indoor Commencement go here. No other events require tickets. Note: Only students can reserve tickets.

General Information