Event Schedule
Friday, May 13th
Registration Check-In | 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Location: Teal/17 Hillhouse
Come get the weekend started by collecting your housing keys, commencement regalia, registration packet, and wristbands!
*Check-in is required for all registered alumni regardless of housing status.
**Please note that housing will open at 3:00 p.m. Sheets, towels, a blanket, and a pillow will be supplied.
***Regalia distribution will be open on Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Please return Saturday morning if after those hours.
Welcome Reception with Dean Marvin Chun | 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Beinecke Plaza
As the festivities officially kick off, please join Dean Marvin Chun, the Yale Alumni Association, your Class Officers, and the Class Day Committee for some light refreshments and snacks as the Class of 2020 is formally welcomed back to campus.
*This event is open to alumni only and wristbands are required.
Senior Dinners | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: 14 Residential Colleges
Individual residential colleges welcome their members of the Class of 2020 back for long awaited senior dinners under tents.
*This event is open to alumni only and wristbands are required.
**Please refer to individual residential college communications for more details on attire and timing.
***Dressy or college-brand attire may be requested.
Dance Party for the Class of 2020 | 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Location: Commons, Schwarzman Center
Missing Commons after all these years? No worries - join the class on Friday night for three hours of dancing and open bar at the new Schwarzman Center.
*This event is open to alumni only and wristbands are required.
**Dressy attire is requested.
New Haven Bar Night | 12:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Location: Olives & Oil and Elm City Social
Support your favorite New Haven bars and reconnect with classmates after Friday’s dance party! Drinks will be first come, first served at Olives & Oil and Elm City Social.
Saturday, May 14th
Registration Check-In | 7:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Teal/17 Hillhouse
For those who were unable to check-in on Friday, come pick up your housing keys, commencement regalia, registration packet, and wristbands.
*Regalia distribution will be open on Saturday, May 14 from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Procession Assembly | Beginning at 8:30 a.m. (times vary by college)
Location: Residential College Courtyards
Members of the Class of 2020 will assemble for the processional to Old Campus in their residential college courtyards. Please look for timing instructions and additional details in messaging that will come from your residential college.
University Commencement Ceremony | 10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Location: Old Campus
A traditional university ceremony for returning graduates of Yale College, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, and all professional schools. Gates open to guests at 8:00 a.m. and bags will be subject to search. (Please note that bags larger than 12” by 12” may not be brought into the venue.)
Please visit the Commencement website for further details on public safety protocols, accessibility, the Commencement Covid-19 policy, and other ceremony information.
A livestream of the Commencement ceremony will be available via the Commencement website as well as the Yale YouTube channel.
*This event is open to registered family and guests.
**All 2020 alumni participating the university ceremony must wear a cap and gown.
Residential College Ceremonies | 12:15 p.m.
Location: 14 Residential Colleges
Class of 2020 celebration and ceremony within each residential college.
*This event is open to registered family and guests.
Residential College Lunches | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: 14 Residential College Dining Halls
After your residential college ceremonies, enjoy a buffet-style lunch with friends and family in the residential college courtyards or dining halls.
*Tickets are required for guests and may be purchased in advance or at the door.
Outdoor Social Event Hosted by the Cultural Centers | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Lot 81, 297 Crown Street (Corner of Crown Street and High Street)
A casual gathering for graduates who were connected to and active in the cultural center communities, with music, light food, and beverages. Visit the houses, come see the new mural, and spend time with classmates and staff of the cultural center communities.
*This event is open to alumni only and wristbands are required.
Outdoor Food Truck Event | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Cross Campus
Gather on Cross Campus to enjoy dinner from various New Haven food trucks. Tickets for alumni and guests are required and can be picked up at registration.
*Please note that food availability is limited.
Social Event for the Class of 2020 | 9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Location: Toad's Place
Return to your favorite New Haven spot for a special edition of “Woads”. Doors open at 9:00 p.m. and the open bar runs from 10:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
*This event is open to alumni only and wristbands are required.
Sunday, May 15th
Housing Check-Out | 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Teal/17 Hillhouse / Cross Campus
Please return your housing keys to Teal/17 Hillhouse or Cross Campus by noon.
Casual Brunch | 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Cross Campus
After returning your keys and before saying goodbye, stop by Cross Campus for a grab-and-go breakfast catered by some favorite New Haven brunch spots.
*This event is open to alumni only and wristbands are required.
Other Events Happening on Campus
Office of LGBTQ Resources Class of 2020 Open House
Friday, May 13 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Founders Hall Office/Café at 135 Prospect Street
To kick off the 2020 Commencement weekend, the Office of LGBTQ Resources will host an open house for all G&P and Yale College alumni of the Class of 2020. Family, friends, and partners are welcome to join in this informal meetup. Stop by at any time. Light refreshments and drinks will be provided.
Read more on the Office of LGBTQ Resources website
*This event is open to all alumni of Yale College and the graduate and professional schools.
2020 Yale Class Rings
Friday, May 13 | 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. & Saturday, May 14 | 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Yale Bookstore
Balfour representatives will be taking orders at the Yale Bookstore for Class of 2020 Yale Class Rings.
The Elm Cafe
Saturday, May 14 | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Schwarzman Center / Elm Cafe
The Elm will be open on Saturday, May 14th from 9-5 for those wanting coffee, drinks and or snacks.
Yale Anthropology Reception
Saturday, May 14 | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: 10 Sachem Street
A reception to celebrate 2020 and 2021 graduates with degrees in Anthropology and their guests.
Weekend Athletics Events
Live Events - Yale University (yalebulldogs.com)
Saturday, May 14th
Baseball - Yale vs. Harvard | 11:30 a.m.
Location: George H.W. Bush '48 Field
No tickets are required.
Baseball - Yale vs. Harvard | 2:30 p.m.
Location: George H.W. Bush '48 Field
No tickets are required.
Men's Lacrosse - NCAA Tournament Yale vs. Saint Joseph's | 5:00 p.m.
Location: Reese Stadium
Tickets are required. Purchase on the Yale Athletics website.
Sunday, May 15th
Baseball - Yale vs. Harvard | 12:00 p.m.
Location: George H.W. Bush '48 Field
No tickets are required.