Baccalaureate
Since Yale’s first century, Yale College seniors and faculty have gathered before Commencement for the Baccalaureate ceremony, a ceremony with a Baccalaureate sermon at its heart. The sermon of days past has given way to an address by Yale’s president and readings by the dean of Yale College, although religious overtures remain with the participation of the university chaplain and the singing of hymns and an anthem.
Class Day
Class Day, a Yale College tradition, takes place on Old Campus on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. It includes the awarding of academic, artistic, and athletic prizes; the celebration of undergraduates; and an address by a notable speaker. Seniors wear academic gowns and creative headgear of their choice, and process from Cross Campus to Old Campus.
Commencement
All university degrees are formally conferred during the Commencement ceremony on Old Campus. During the ceremony, the dean of Yale College and deans of the graduate and professional schools formally present their approved candidates to the president. The president, in turn, confers the degrees and admits new graduates to each degree’s “rights and responsibilities.” Student marshals from each residential college and school accept symbolic diplomas from the president on behalf of their colleagues.
