Commencement Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

The Commencement webpage is where all current information will be posted, including messages we send to members of the Class of 2024. Please use the Commencement website for up-to-the-minute information on this important day. Students are encouraged to check their WPI email daily for important announcements.  

We anticipate sending out monthly messages to members of the Class of 2025 beginning in January to students’ WPI e-mail address. These messages will also be posted on the Commencement Webpage to allow friends and family to be aware of what we are sharing with our students. E-mail and the Commencement webpage will serve as our mode of communication. Students will be directed to their HUB account to complete many commencement related tasks.  

We anticipate sending out monthly messages to members of the Class of 2024 beginning in January to students’ WPI e-mail address. These messages will also be posted on the Commencement Webpage to allow friends and family to be aware of what we are sharing with our students. E-mail and the Commencement webpage will serve as our mode of communication. Students will be directed to their HUB account to complete many commencement related tasks.   

Students will be instructed to access their HUB account between Feb. 10 – April 25 to complete these important tasks below. These tasks must be completed before a student may reserve their Commencment tickets for their guests to enter the DCU Center:  

• Confirm Attendance at the Commencement Ceremony 
• Complete the NameCoach pronunciation recording 
• Complete the CDC Survey 
• Update future mailing address/e-mail address information 
• Identify and reserve (up to 8) Commencement Tickets for their guests  
• Order regalia via the linked OakHall Regalia ordering site (all students participating in Commencement must wear WPI regalia) 

Each student will automatically receive 8 tickets via their HUB account upon completion of their commencement action steps on the HUB.   Graduating students are responsible for determining who will receive tickets for their commencement exercises.  Students can choose to send their tickets directly to the intended guests by entering their name and email assigned to a ticket on their HUB account or they can choose to download and distribute the tickets manually.  Please note that ticket QRs codes will not populate until 24 hours prior to the ceremony. 

There is no rehearsal for Commencement, and we are confident that our graduates can appropriately navigate line-up and associated movement to and across the stage. We will provide instructions on the Commencement webpage.  

The Commencement Student Speaker (seated on-stage) will be asked to join a pre-Commencement rehearsal. The exact time and place will be communicated to those individuals.  

The Student Commencement Speaker is a graduate or undergraduate student who will deliver a 3–5-minute speech to all those in attendance at their Commencement Ceremony. 

A call for the Student Commencement Speaker for each ceremony will be forthcoming in our March note to students, and auditions are generally held in April, with selection soon thereafter. Speaker candidates will audition in front of a group of peers and administrators. In-person auditions are highly recommended, although we will consider Zoom auditions for those candidates who cannot attend in-person. 

Additional Information: The Student Commencement Speaker is required to participate in pre-Commencement rehearsal and will be seated on the stage during their Commencement. It is recommended that speech auditions have a theme that is broadly relevant and meaningful to their class. Applicants must have excellent written and oral communication skills.

If you pre-ordered your regalia by March 21, it will be at the WPI Bookstore on or after GRADFEST Day (April 25). To pick up your pre-ordered regalia, you will need your ID, so we can make sure you receive the correct sized regalia. If you miss the March 21 ordering deadline to order, regalia will be available for purchase at the WPI Bookstore on or after April 25th, with an additional $15 surcharge. All students participating in Commencement Exercises must wear WPI regalia. We recommend you take it out of the bag several days before commencement and hang it on a coat hanger to remove the wrinkles….you’ll look better in non-creased regalia! 

For additional questions, please contact the WPI Bookstore at bookstore@wpi.edu or 508-831-5247. 

Please check back in early Spring as we are working out details. 

• Graduates – please enter through Doors 1 & 2 with regalia in hand
• Guests – please enter through Doors 10, 11 & 12 
• Guests with ADA needs – please enter through Door 13 (this is for our ADA guests and their companion only).
• Faculty – please enter through Door 2 with regalia in hand

Please note we'll be using this seating plan, although the stage will be on the opposite end shown (by Sections 125/106). 

Students participating in the 2025 Commencement Exercises will be responsible for arriving to the DCU at the required time.

PhD/Masters: TBD
Undergraduates: TBD

Students can carpool with friends or family, ride share, or walk.

For guests, there are several conveniently located parking garages and lots in the downtown area and surrounding the DCU Center. For more information please visit: https://www.dcucenter.com/visitor-information/parking/. 

For alternative travel options to the DCU Center from airports or using the MBTA, please visit https://www.dcucenter.com/visitor-information/transportation/

Yes. A MAXIMUM SIZE of 8 x 10 inches will be permitted. Medical bags & diaper bags will be allowed and will be checked prior to entry. All other bags such as messenger bags, larger totes, back packs, duffle bags, etc. will NOT be permitted. Please note that Helium Balloons are NOT permitted in the Arena or Exhibit Hall. 

https://www.dcucenter.com/visitor-information/policies/   

The Commencement Ceremony will be approximately 2-2.5 hours (PhD/Graduate) and approximately 3 hours (Undergraduate) in length, with the majority of time spent as we read each student’s name as they walk across the stage to receive their diploma and have a photo taken with the President. 

Please note: the Processional begins 15-20 minutes prior to the ceremony start time.  
Graduates
            Processional: 4:45pm
            Ceremony:  5:00pm
Undergraduates
            Processional: 1:40pm
            Ceremony:  2:00pm

Out of respect for all of our graduates, we sincerely hope (and expect) that all students and guests will stay for the duration of the ceremony. Once graduates process across the stage, they should return to their seat.  

All graduates will enter via the convention center portion of the DCU at the Exhibit Hall at Doors 1 & 2. They will be directed check-in, have a photo taken with a WPI background, and line up in their row. When it is time to move into the Arena, the line will proceed down the center aisle. Guests are not permitted in the graduate Exhibit Hall during the check-in process.

Graduates will be seated on the arena floor in a specific order.

Graduates will receive their actual diploma several weeks after the ceremony from our diploma vendor to the home address on file. Students may update their mailing address when they access their HUB account to complete the Commencement tasks identified earlier. As students cross the stage, they will receive their diploma case from the President.

WPI graduates have a history of creatively decorating their caps using reasonable decorum. Undergraduate students who earn academic honors may pick up their honor cords at the WPI Bookstore during the week of Commencement. Students will receive an e-mail from the Registrar indicating that they have earned academic Honors or High Honors. 

Guests can take photos and video of the event from their seats only. Guests must not block or stand in a location that interferes with any other individual’s viewing of the ceremony and are not permitted on the arena floor.

Cameras are allowed but must be out of a camera bag.  No detachable lens cameras are allowed.  We strongly recommend using a cell phone camera. Professional photographs will be taken of each student receiving their diploma case and a headshot.  These photos will be available for purchase following the ceremonies.

Students who do not attend the Ceremony will receive their diploma via mail. However, they will not receive a diploma cover, as those are handed out at the actual ceremony.  

The university-wide main Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed from the DCU Center. The Commencement Ceremony livestream links will be posted on the Commencement website. 

Despite potential inclement weather, the event will continue as planned. We encourage graduates and guests to prepare accordingly. Any updates regarding the Commencement Ceremony will be communicated to graduates via email and on our website.

Guests can visit the DCU Center for more information: https://www.dcucenter.com/about-dcu-center/backstage-blog/6-hotels-within-walking-distance-to-the-dcu-center/