Weekend Essentials for Everyone

Questions about Registration

If you have a question about registration, please contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement & Events at (860) 685-2116 or rc@wesleyan.edu.

Additional inquiries

You may also contact the Reunion & Commencement Interns if you should have questions: interns@wesleyan.edu or (860) 685-2418.

2018 Fees

Registration Fee
$90 per person for members of the 5th reunion class of 2013 and younger (classes of 2013-2017) and their guests age 18+
$130 per person for members of the 10th reunion class of 2008 and younger (classes of 2008-2012) and their guests age 18+
$250 per person for members of the 50th reunion class of 1968 and their guests age 18 and over (Thurs – Sunday)
$85 per person for members of 30th reunion class of 1988 and their guests age 18 and over
$80 per person for members of 55th reunion class of 1963 and their guests age 18 and over
$65 per person for all other alumni and guests age 18 and over
No registration fee for parents and families of graduating seniors
No registration fee for all children under 18

50th Reunion Banquet for the Class of 1968, Thursday, 6 p.m.
Dinner is included in the registration fee for the 50th reunion classes and their guests age 18 and over

Welcome Picnic, Friday, 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
Picnic is included in the registration fee for Post-50th Reunion alumni (classes of 1940-1967), 5th, 10th, and 50th reunion classes and their guests age 18 and over
$20 per person for all other adults and children over age 12
$10 per person for children 12 and under

Red, Black and GREEN! Dinner, Friday, 5-9 p.m.
Dinner is included in the registration fee for Post-50th Reunion alumni (classes of 1940-1967), 5th, 10th, and 50th reunion classes and their guests age 18 and over
$20 per person for all other adults and children over age 12
$10 per person for children 12 and under

Shabbat Dinner, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
$20 per person for all adults (including graduating seniors) and children over age 12
$10 per person for children 12 and under

All-College Picnic and Festival on Foss Hill, Saturday, 1-3 p.m.
Lunch is included in the registration fee for 5th, 10th, and 50th reunion classes and their guests age 18 and over
$15 per person for all other adults and children

Reunion Class Receptions and Dinners, Saturday, 5:30 p.m. (alumni and their guests only)
Class dinner is included in the registration fee for Post-50th Reunion alumni (classes of 1940-1967), 5th, 10th, and 50th reunion classes and their guests age 18 and over
$55 per person for all other adults and children

Brunch, Sunday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Brunch is included in the registration fee for Post-50th Reunion alumni (classes of 1940-1967), 5th, 10th, and 50th reunion classes and their guests age 18 and over
$20 pp for all other adults and children over age 12
$10 for children 12 and under

Camp Cardinal
$50 per child (ages 5-12, no preschool),per session (includes snacks and meals)

On-Campus Lodging (alumni and their guests only)
$175 per person/bed (includes Thursday-Saturday nights)

Wireless Access on Campus

Guests may obtain access via a self-registration page that is presented upon connecting to the Wes-Guest network. To use your laptop, tablet, or smartphone on campus, you may need the following information. To obtain a wireless signal: connect to “wesguest” and enter the key “w1831”. 

Once connected, a page will request an email address and optional cell phone number where a username and password will be sent.  Guest accounts will be valid for 72 hours.  Guests on campus longer than that may register as often as needed. 

More details can be found here.

NOTE: As a guest user on Wesleyan University’s private network, you are expected to comply with all applicable laws related to Internet use including, but not limited to, RIAA laws prohibiting illegal file sharing and access to illegal content. Access to the Internet is monitored and violators will have their privileges revoked.

Registration

All alumni must register. Parents and families of graduating seniors should register if they wish to purchase any meal tickets and are encouraged to register even if they do not wish to attend any meals. You can register online through May 11 or at the Exley Science Center when you arrive on campus for the weekend.

Pre-registration Deadline

Online is available through Friday, May 11. In order to process all registrations and prepare materials for your arrival, we cannot accept registrations after that date. If you miss the deadline, the next opportunity for you to register will be onsite, during the weekend. 

On-campus Registration

Stop by Registration in the Exley Science Center and visit with student staff, ask questions, learn about schedule changes and updates, arrange for shuttle service, sign up your child(ren) for Camp Cardinal, or purcahse meal tickets. Reunion alumni: please be sure to purchase your reunion class dinner tickets at registration at any time during the weekend. Tickets are not available at the dinner site.
Note: As a result of our continuing efforts to be environmentally responsible, we are not handing out a printed brochure/schedule of events.  The schedule can easily be found online during the weekend by using your phone or tablet or check in with any of our student workers during the weekend.

If you feel you need a printed schedule, please print out in advance and bring with you during the weekend.

On-site registration Hours:

  • Thursday, 2 p.m.–9 p.m.
  • Friday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
  • Saturday, 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
  • Sunday, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

If you have questions about registration or plan to arrive after registration closes, please contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at rc@wesleyan.edu or (860) 685-2116.

Form of Payment

At registration and all ticketed meals we prefer to that guests use credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) or checks made out to Wesleyan University. Cash may be accepted if the cashier is able to provide change.  The Usdan Cafe and Pi Cafe (Exley Science Center) will accept cash throughout the weekend.

Refunds

As a general policy, fees collected for event registration and other expenses are non-refundable. In most circumstances, these fees cover the cost to reserve a facility or catering needs. However, more importantly, the fees commit and confirm guest attendance which is important when other guests are interested in registering. The staff in the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations understands that unique circumstances do prevent some guests from fulfilling their obligations, and accepts written exceptions to the refund policy. Please direct those appeals to the office at 330 High Street, Middletown, CT 06459 or rc@wesleyan.edu.We are not able to process refunds during the weekend.

Usdan University Center Hours of Operation and Cardinal Connection Cafe

Usdan University Center is the primary gathering spot for everyone, creating a hub in the heart of campus during Reunion & Commencement Weekend. All are welcome to stop by and enjoy a comfortable, convenient place to peruse the RC schedule, connect with classmates and/or family members, meet new friends… or simply hang out while enjoying assorted refreshments.

Thursday: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
*Friday: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
*Saturday: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

*From 4-7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, the Cardinal Connection Cafe is the place to meet-up with classmates, relax between events, charge your phone, enjoy a game of pool, or just take in the scenery. Snacks, beverages, beer and wine are available for purchase.

Weekend Meals

Bon Appétit, Wesleyan’s campus dining service, prepares most Reunion & Commencement snacks and meals. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free alternatives are provided at every meal. Most dining options require tickets and advance purchase/registration. For these meals, we strongly recommend you reserve a ticket in advance to guarantee availability and to help us plan accordingly. If you are a member of a class with a flat rate Reunion fee (5th, 10th, and 50th Reunion classes), your meals are included in your fee, however you will be asked to select which meals you plan to attend when you register.

Meals requiring advance purchase/registration:

  • Thursday 50th Reunion Dinner
  • Friday Welcome Lunch
  • Friday Red, Black, and Green Dinner
  • Friday Shabbat Dinner
  • *Saturday Festival on Foss Hill Picnic Lunch
  • Saturday Reunion Class Dinner
  • Sunday All-Campus Brunch

There may be a limited number of extra meal tickets available for purchase at Registration in the Exley Science Center lobby. Ticket sales are not available at the various meal locations- please plan accordingly.  If you registered online, meal tickets will not be mailed in advance; you will receive the appropriate tickets when you stop by Registration to obtain your Reunion & Commencement Weekend welcome packet.

*Saturday ALl-College Picnic and Festival on Foss Hill lunches are portable.  If you wish to attend a seminar or another event, please stop by Andrus Field and pick up a lunch to go.

The Usdan Café (Usdan University Center) and the Pi Café (Exley Science Center) will be open for a la carte breakfast, lunch, and snacks Thursday through Sunday for limited hours. These dining options do not require advance purchase.

Some bars are cash-only, and ID is required at all bars throughout the weekend.

If you're looking to dine off campus, please check the restaurant section of Wesleyan's Visitor's Guide for a list of area options.

Sustainability

Information about sustainability efforts (bottled water elimination, dining, recycling, and composting) during the weekend is available here.

Photos and Video

University staff will take photos and video throughout the weekend and may publish them in any format or media without additional permission from the individuals in the photos or videos.

Transportation and Parking

The closest transportation hubs to Wesleyan are Bradley Airport (BDL) and New Haven Train Station (NHV). Connecting service is available to the Hartford Bus Station and Meriden Train Station, then from there to campus.

Carpooling between campus and New York City, Boston, airports, train stations, and area hotels is encouraged. To connect with other Reunion & Commencement weekend guests who are looking for rides or who have a ride to offer, join the Wesleyan Reunion & Commencement Ridesharing Group

Free on-campus shuttles are provided throughout Reunion & Commencement Weekend. A shuttle and parking map will be available at Registration (Usdan University Center) when you arrive on campus.

Public Transportation To/From Campus

Know of a better route? Tried this and don’t think it’s a good choice? Please tell us so we can update this section.
Campus to/from Bradley Airport, Hartford Bus Station, or Meriden Train Station

  1. 30 Bradley Flyer Bus – Bradley Airport (BDL) to/from Hartford’s Union Station
  2. Amtrak – Hartford (HFD) to/from Meriden (MDN)
  3. M-Link Bus – Meriden Train Station to/from Williams & High St bus stop  

Campus to/from New Haven Train Station or Meriden Train Station

  1. Amtrak – New Haven (NHV) to/from Meriden (MDN)  
  2. M-Link Bus – Meriden Train Station to/from Williams & High St bus stop 

Campus Parking

We do our best to accommodate the larger crowds on campus during the weekend, but please expect delays and plan accordingly. Parking on the streets and Wesleyan's parking lots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Parking Locations

  • Middle Oak Parking Garage (two blocks from campus at the junction of Court and Main streets
  • Freeman Athletic Center Lots
  • Along the streets in designated parking spaces
  • Various smaller lots on campus

The lot adjacent to the Stewart M. Reid House, Office of Admission, 70 Wyllys Avenue and the “C” lot on Church Street will be reserved for members of the Classes of 1968 and earlier, as well as for any individuals with disabilities. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

See the Wesleyan University Visitor Parking page for more information.

On Campus Shuttles

Student-operated shuttles (mini-vans) will run regularly between Middle Oak Parking Garage, Middletown’s Main Street, and all sites on campus. You can flag down a shuttle or call (860) 685-2418 to arrange for a ride. Please allow at least 30 minutes for all requests during the weekend. 

 

Shuttle Hotline

(860) 685-2418  - Please allow at least one half-hour for all requests during the weekend.

Shuttle Hours

  • Thursday, 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Friday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Saturday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Sunday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Shuttle Pick-up and Drop Off Locations

  • Wyllys Avenue: Registration, Usdan University Center, College Row, Center for the Arts
  • Middle Oak Parking Garage (two blocks from campus at the junction of Court and Main streets)
  • Inn at Middletown: 70 Main Street
  • Church Street: Olin Library, Exley Science Center, Public Affairs Center, Clark Hall, Judd Hall
  • Freeman Athletic Center: Cross Street Entrance
  • Vine Street Parking Lot
  • Wesleyan R.J. Julia Bookstore, 413 Main Street, near the intersection of Washington Street

The RIDE, Wesleyan’s Campus Shuttle for students, will also be available to alumni, parents, and families throughout the weekend. The RIDE runs Thursday - Saturday from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. Two shuttle lines, Red and Blue, stop at points around campus. You can transfer from one line to the other at the Transfer Station located at the rear entrance of the Science Center. The lines connect at the Transfer Station every 20 minutes. The RIDE will also operate the Reunion & Commencement Weekend shuttle route on Sunday from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Special Services: Persons with disabilities can access special on campus shuttle services Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 .m. Please call 860/982-8031 during the weekend to make arrangements for a ride.

Don’t Forget

Bring your camera, scrapbooks, Wesleyan memorabilia, music, and anything else that will make the weekend special. May weather can be unpredictable in New England; we recommend that you bring a light jacket and umbrella—and if you’re staying in a dorm room—an extra blanket and towel. Wesleyan’s athletic facilities and fields will be open throughout Reunion & Commencement Weekend; bring your suit/bathing cap/towel/racket/softball glove/Frisbee, etc., and check your final schedule for facility hours.

Lost & Found

The campus-wide Lost & Found can be found at Public Safety. If you lose an item or come across something that was left behind by someone else, please call (860) 685-2345 or stop by the Public Saftey office at 208 High Street.