When is reunion?
Our 20th Reunion will be May 18-21, 2017
On campus reunion housing opens at 4pm on Thursday, May 18.
There are optional activities throughout the day on Friday that typically include faculty presentations, student panels, campus tours, etc. The Class of 1997 will have tea at Lamont from 3-5pm, including a performance by the Smithereens. Tea is included with the Class registration fee. There is no formal class dinner on Friday. We encourage you to visit one of your favorite NoHo establishments with your housemates, JYA friends, teammates, etc., and join us for a social upstairs at Packards from 9-11pm.
Saturday morning we’ll have yoga at Lamont before the Ivy Day parade. There is a service of remembrance at the Chapel. On Saturday afternoon we’ll have our Class Meeting on Chapin Lawn from 1:30-2:00pm. There are more optional activities that afternoon including family-friendly fun on Chapin lawn, departmental and Friends group receptions, more faculty presentations, etc.
Saturday evening we’ll have our Class of 1997 social hour and dinner at Tyler (registration required; cost $55). We will hear from Jennifer Chrisler, the VP of Alumni Relations, and announce the result of the Class Annual Fund Drive and challenge with Mt. Holyoke.
After dinner is Illumination followed by a dance party in Davis Ballroom.
Sunday morning is Commencement. Oprah Winfrey is the Commencement Speaker. Commencement is simulcast live to brunch locations on campus.
On campus reunion housing closes at 1pm on Sunday, May 21.
Where do I stay?
We recommend staying on campus. It’s the most convenient and probably the cheapest option. Alumnae and their guests will be housed in multiple houses, near their class headquarters. Class housing assignments are based on attendance.
On campus housing is available for a flat rate of $150 per bed. The fee cannot be prorated on a per night basis.
What’s included in the $150 housing fee?
A twin bed with sheets, blanket and pillow/pillowcase. You will also receive a bath towel (on the smaller side) and washcloth. You will have access to a community bathroom and possibly a kitchenette. You will receive a key card that will give you access to most campus houses and some facilities such as the fitness center. The fee also includes breakfast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning.
Can I ask for a specific house or to be near my friends?
No. You will not receive your room assignment until you arrive on campus. If you register late, you may be placed in a house away from the rest of your class and housemates.
The Class of 1997 will be housed in Lamont (headquarters), Capen, Duckett and Talbot.
What if I have disabilities or health-related accommodation needs?
If you wish to make a request for specific accommodations or want to attend a specific event and want to confirm accessibility, please contact the Office of Alumnae Relations (avrecpt@smith.edu) or contact the Office of Disability Services (ods@smith.edu).
What about guests?
Guests, such as a spouse or partner, will pay the same flat rate of $150 for housing. You will likely be put in a double room with two twin beds but you may be placed in separate rooms.
Children may stay in a parent’s room at no extra charge; however, sleeping bags, porta-cribs, and linens should be brought from home.
There are no special housing or restroom arrangements for male guests or children. They stay in the same houses and use the communal restrooms (unless other arrangements have been made by the students living in the house, i.e., one restroom welcomes guests and the other does not).
What if I am breastfeeding?
The Office of Alumni Relations recommends that you bring a small cooler to store breast milk (ice will be provided at class headquarters), or use the fridge that will be in our headquarters in Lamont. Fridges are not available in rooms. Most of the houses do have kitchenettes with fridges but it seems they don’t want you to rely on that just in case. If you are coming from far away and can’t pack a cooler, let one of your Reunion chairs know.
What do I need to remember about staying in student housing?
- There will be students staying in the house – seniors and reunion workers. Students can be noisy. They can also be delightful.
- There is no air conditioning. You will not have control over the heat.
- There may not be bedside lamps.
- There are no mini fridges.
- There are no private bathrooms.
- There are no paper towels in the bathrooms. You need to bring your own towel or drip dry.
- Not all buildings have elevators. You may have a fourth-floor walk-up.
- There is no smoking.
- Pets are not allowed.
- You will not have a key to your room (you can lock the door from the inside only).
What should I bring if I am staying in campus housing?
Things you might want to consider bringing to make your campus stay more comfortable include:
- A bathrobe
- A larger bath towel
- Flip flops or other shower shoes
- A book light
- A water bottle
- Clothes hangers
What if I don’t want to stay on campus?
If on-campus housing is not for you, you may prefer to stay in a hotel, motel or B&B in the Northampton area. Click here for information about area accommodations, or visit the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce website. You could also try Airbnb, HomeAway or VRBO. Please note: accommodations may be hard to come by and rates may be high. It’s commencement weekend for Smith, Amherst and Mount Holyoke.
What about dining?
If you stay on campus, a buffet breakfast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is included in your housing fee. This is a full breakfast on Friday and Saturday (eggs, meat, potatoes, pancakes, fruit, etc., etc.) and a continental breakfast on Sunday (bagels, pastries, yogurt, fruit, etc.).
The College offers Thursday dinner, Friday and Saturday lunch, and Sunday brunch for an additional fee. These meals require pre-registration and there will be reunion workers checking you in at the door (by scanning your key card!). You can view the menus and pricing in advance and vegetarian and vegan options are available. The College is pretty savvy and accommodating about dietary restrictions and allergies. Meals for children 12 and under are available for $10 per meal.
As mentioned, Friday night you are on your own for dinner. We encourage you to pick one of your old favorites or a hot new spot in NoHo (reservations recommended where accepted). After dinner, please join us for a drink upstairs at Packards.
Saturday evening we will have our Class social hour and dinner at Tyler. The social hour/dinner fee is $55, all inclusive. Children and guests are welcome at the Class dinner but they must also register. The fee for a child’s meal (age 12 and under) is $10.
Will I get to see Oprah?
“Seating at Smith’s Commencement ceremony is limited and is intended for the graduates and their guests. The public is invited to view a simulcast of this year’s event in John M. Greene Hall. Additionally, students, parents unable to attend, alumnae, staff and friends around the world are invited to view the event via live webcast. Staff and community members are invited to view a simulcast of this year’s event in John M. Greene Hall. If Commencement is held indoors due to inclement weather, a limited number of tickets will be issued to graduates for their families.”
Note that you must register in advance for brunch. The cost is $20. Brunch for the Class of 1997 is in Davis Ballroom. If you must see Oprah in person, be prepared to stand.
How do I get back to Smith?
Bradley International Airport in Connecticut is the closest major airport. Airlines serving Bradley include Air Canada, American, Delta, Jet Blue, Southwest and United. To get to campus from the airport, there is a very reliable van service, Valley Transporter. Reservations are required and should be made far in advance. The cost is about $53 for a shared van ride (not including gratuity) and the ride takes about 1.5 hours. Taxi service (more expensive – confirm the fee with the driver before you leave) and bus service (cheaper but requires transfers and walking between stations and can be confusing) are also available.
Amtrak’s Vermonter route stops right in downtown Northampton. The route begins in D.C. with multiple stops along the east coast.
Greyhound bus also serves Northampton, with a stop within walking distance of campus.
Where do I park?
If you decide to drive or get a rental car at the airport, there is parking on campus. There is a free parking garage on West Street/Route 66 (note that the lower floor is reserved for student parking). There are also parking lots on Green Street between Hubbard and Washburn, next to Ainsworth Gym, and behind the Indoor Track and Tennis facility. Cars may be left overnight on city streets, except in posted areas. All parking ordinances remain in effect for the city of Northampton, including parking meters. Accessible parking spaces are available.
Do I still have to wear white for Ivy Day?
It is still tradition for alumnae to wear white on Ivy Day. If you have children marching in the parade with you, you might consider having them wear white or yellow (our class color) to feel like part of the pageantry. Don’t forget white shoes, too. Graduates will wear black shoes.
What is this going to cost?
| Office of Alumnae Relations Fee: |
$30 (this fee is waived for children and guests) |
| Class Registration Fee: |
$35 |
| On Campus Housing Fee: |
$150 |
| College Meal Fees: |
Depends – if you register for all the College meals (Thursday dinner, Friday and Saturday Lunch, Sunday brunch) the total cost will be $86. |
| Saturday Class Social/Meal Fee: |
$55 per person ($10 for children 12 and under) |
| Cash bars: |
Depends – there is a cash bar before the college dinner Thursday night. Two glasses of wine would run you about $15 with tip. You’ll also pay out-of-pocket for any drinks you might have at our Friday night social at Packards. |
You will also find Reunion Information on the College Reunion website.
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