UVM commencement is this weekend. When are the events and which roads will be closed

April Barton, Burlington Free Press

This weekend Burlington will be all pomp and circumstance with graduation ceremonies and celebrations for University of Vermont graduates taking place across campus and the city. Commencement activities include one main ceremony for all graduating students, additional ceremonies for advanced degree and medical students and a variety of college-specific celebrations.

The main ceremony will be at 9 a.m., Sunday, May 19, on the University Green. At that time all types of degrees will be conferred, including bachelor's, master's, doctoral, doctor of medicine and honorary ones. A student awards presentation and the commencement address will also occur.

On May 3, UVM administration canceled the planned commencement speaker's appearance in response to a demand from student demonstrators who had erected an encampment on campus grounds. As of May 13, a replacement commencement speaker had not been announced.

Protestors asked for U.N. ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, to be removed as the graduation speaker due to her record of failing to vote for a cease-fire in the middle east conflict between Israel and Hamas that had killed and injured thousands of Palestinian civilians. Most of the encampment had been disassembled by May 10, and isn't expected to interfere with graduation activities.

The University of Vermont Davis Center as seen in spring with the blooming daffodils on May 1, 2024.
The University of Vermont Davis Center as seen in spring with the blooming daffodils on May 1, 2024.

Weekend's graduation schedule

For Burlington residents and visitors, knowing when and where activities are taking place could be helpful as the city is expected to be busy Friday through Monday. Events outside of campus in Burlington are taking place at The Flynn at 153 Main St. and the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain at 60 Battery St.

Here are some of the major events taking place according to time and day.

Saturday, May 18

  • 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.: Graduate College ceremony at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

  • 2:30 - 4 p.m.: Graduate College reception at Harris-Millis Dining Hall.

  • 3 - 4:30 p.m.: Leahy Honors College scholars recognition at Ira Allen Chapel.

  • 4:30 - 6 p.m.: Leahy Honors College reception at Davis Center Grand Maple Ballroom.

University of Vermont graduates await their commencement ceremony in this file photo.
University of Vermont graduates await their commencement ceremony in this file photo.

Sunday, May 19

  • 9 a.m.: University Commencement Ceremony for all graduates at University Green.

  • Noon - 2 p.m.:Grossman School of Business celebration at The Flynn.College of Nursing and Health Sciences celebration (until 1:30 p.m.) at Gutterson Fieldhouse Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources celebration (until 1:30 p.m.) at Patrick Gymnasium.College of Arts and Sciences celebration (begins at 12:30 p.m.) at University Green.

  • 1:30 - 3 p.m.:College of Nursing and Health Sciences reception at Central Campus Dining Hall.Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources reception at Harris Millis Dining Hall.College of Education and Social Services reception (until 2:30 p.m.) at Hilton Hotel.

  • 2 - 3:30 p.m.:Grossman School of Business reception (ends at 3 p.m.) at Hilton Hotel. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences reception at Simpson Dining Hall.

  • 3 - 5 p.m.:Larner College of Medicine ceremony at Ira Allen Chapel.College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences celebration (starts at 3:30 p.m.) at Gutterson Fieldhouse.College of Education and Social Services celebration (3:30 to 5:30 p.m.) at The Flynn.

  • 4 - 6 p.m.: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences celebration at Patrick Gymnasium.

  • 5 - 7 p.m.:College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences reception (until 6:30 p.m.) at Harris Millis Dining Hall.Larner College of Medicine reception at Davis Center Grand Maple Ballroom.

An electronic sign tells driver the road is closed ahead in South Burlington.
An electronic sign tells driver the road is closed ahead in South Burlington.

Burlington road closures during commencement weekend

Road closures will be in place in some areas to address the influx of people and vehicles. This could impact travel for locals and visitors alike. Shuttle buses also will be running between parking areas and ceremony locations.

  • Closed from 7 a.m. Friday, May 17, until 4 p.m. Monday, May 20.University Place from Colchester Avenue to Main Street.

  • Closed from 7 p.m. Friday, May 17, until as late as 9 p.m. Sunday, May 19.South Prospect Street from College Street to the University Health Center entrance.

  • Closed from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, May 19.South Prospect Street from Colchester Avenue to Main Street.College Street from South Prospect Street to South Williams Street.Main Street. (northern most west bound lane) from University Heights Road to South Prospect Street.

This story may be updated.

Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @aprildbarton.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: How Burlington will be affected by University of Vermont commencement

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