Join us at the DCU Center to celebrate our graduates, hear words of inspiration, and cheer as degrees are conferred.
Hotels
The city is expected to be very busy, please make your hotel reservations early.
DCU Center
Commencement is held at the DCU Center, located in downtown Worcester at 50 Foster Street.
Parking
The DCU Center partners with a variety of parking garages in the surrounding area. For guests, please leave ample time to park and be seated in the DCU Center by 9:30 a.m.(Bachelor’s Degree Ceremony) and 2 p.m. (PhD and Master’s Degree Ceremony)
Entrances
Doors open to the public at 8:30 a.m. (Bachelor’s Degree Ceremony) and 1:00 p.m. (PhD and Master’s Degree Ceremony). All guests must enter the DCU Center through doors 10, 11, & 12 and door 13 for guests with ADA needs at the intersection of Major Taylor Blvd and Foster Street. Door #2 is reserved for faculty, PhD, graduate and undergraduate students. Undergraduate students must arrive at 8:30 a.m. PhD and graduate students at 1:00 p.m. All entrances have metal detectors and staff will be scanning tickets.
Etiquette
The DCU Center has its own set of policies for allowed/prohibited items. That means no helium balloons or parcels, but you can take photos and videos from your phone.
- Tickets will be scanned at entrances
- Each entrance has metal detectors
- Signs will not be permitted
- Bag policy
Small wristlets of a maximum size of 8 x 10 inches will be permitted. Medical bags and diaper bags will be allowed and will be checked prior to entry. All other bags such as cross-body, larger totes, backpacks, duffle bags, etc. will not be permitted for public events. - Food and beverage policy
No outside food or beverages are allowed inside the DCU Center. We will have concession stands open with options for your indulgence.
Accessibility
The DCU Center is handicapped accessible. Guests are advised to enter at Door #13 – Major Taylor Blvd. and Foster Street entrance.
Handicap permit parking in designated and metered spots are available adjacent to the DCU Center. The Mercantile Garage (C2) is the nearest garage to the DCU Center event entrance. More information can be found on the DCU Center website.
DCU Center has ten viewing areas designated for accessible seating in Sections 106, 108, 110, 112, 113, 118, 120, 121, 123, and 125. These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Captioning
Live captioning will be available on the livestream of the Commencement Ceremony. These links will be made available in May.
At the DCU Center, live captions will be available on the large video display boards on both sides of the stage and on the overhead jumbotron. These displays will show open captions in real-time, provided by a human captioner. These same captions will be available for those watching the livestream.
Assistive listening devices
Assistive listening devices will be available for Commencement. These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Programs
In addition to traditional print programs, programs will be made available via PDF files for viewing on electronic devices to enhance size or utilize reading devices. The electronic versions will be available as PDF downloads in May.
Directions to campus
Clark University’s campus is located at 950 Main Street, approximately 2 miles from the DCU center.
Campus parking
On Commencement weekend, additional parking lots will be available for guests, faculty, staff, students, and vendors.