The below email was sent to on-campus undergraduate seniors on Monday, May 8, 2023.
Dear students,
It’s Commencement week! We are so excited to celebrate you this Saturday, May 13.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
Bring your cap, gown, and tassel with you and if you’ve already received a cord, bring that as well!
Location:
Champlain Valley Exposition
GPS address: 105 Pearl St., Essex Junction, Vermont 05452
*If you are driving yourself, please leave plenty of time to allow for traffic
Timeline:
8:30-9:15 AM: Mandatory student check-in at Blue Ribbon Pavilion
8:00 AM: Doors open for guests in Expo South
8:15 AM – 9:45 AM: Commencement pre-ceremony content airs
9:45 AM: Commencement procession begins
10:00 AM: Ceremony begins
Post-Ceremony Gathering in Expo North and Outdoors
Tickets:
Tickets are not required.
Shuttle Transportation:
Shuttle service will be available to and from Champlain College in Burlington for those who require transportation to the Champlain Valley Expo. Please see the shuttle schedule here under the transportation FAQ.
We strongly recommend students plan ahead and take the 8:00 AM shuttle from main campus (7:55 from St. Paul Street) so there is adequate time for you to check in. The absolute last shuttle to make it in time for check-in is 8:30 AM from main campus. The main campus shuttle stop is the wooden bus shelter on the south side of Maple Street next to CCM. We recommend students not bring items such as purses or backpacks as there is no secure place to keep them.
Parking:
There is plenty of parking available at the Champlain Valley Expo. If assistance is needed, golf carts will be available to get you to the entrance.
Accessibility:
The Champlain Valley Exposition is fully accessible. Our Commencement staff are pleased to direct our guests with accessibility needs to a designated section of the Expo Centre. We ask that you plan for one additional family member to sit in that section as well. The staff will assist you if needed. Please plan to arrive early. If you are a graduating student who has accessibility needs, please email graduation@champlain.edu.
Pets:
Absolutely no pets, besides properly identified service animals, are permitted at the ceremonies or post-ceremony gatherings. We appreciate your cooperation.
Concessions and Post-Ceremony Gatherings:
Prior to the ceremony, paid concessions (light snacks and beverages) will be offered outside the main guest entrance to Expo South, as well as a floral vendor, and the Champlain College Campus Store. Following Commencement, we will have a brief post-ceremony gathering for graduates, guests, faculty, and the platform party in Expo North at the Champlain Valley Expo. Join us for light refreshments!
Photography:
Grad Images will be on hand to take official photos of the graduate on stage and immediately following as they exit the stage with their diplomas. Images will be available for purchase in the weeks following the ceremony. We will also have an event photographer capturing photos that will be available for free on Champlain’s Flickr account.
Livestream
For those attending virtually, the main ceremony livestream begins at 10:00 AM (ET). You are invited to join us for pre-ceremony content starting at 8:15 AM (ET) on our Commencement homepage and to participate on social media using hashtag #ChampGrad.
Spyglass
Every on-campus undergraduate student will receive a spyglass from the Student Government Association once they step off stage. Please note: if you are traveling after graduation, TSA does not allow you to have your spyglass in your check-in luggage.
Questions:
Please reach out to graduation@champlain.edu or visit commencement.champlain.edu if you have further questions.
Sincerely,
The Commencement Planning Team