FAQS
2025 Family and Alumni/ae Weekend Frequently Asked Questions
Basic Information
What are the dates?
Family and Alumni/ae Weekend will be held Friday through Sunday, October 24–26, 2025.
Is Family and Alumni/ae Weekend only for families of first-year students?
All families of Bard students and alumni/ae are encouraged to attend.
When does online registration close?
Registration closes on Friday, October 17. If you miss the deadline, you are welcome to come to onsite registration, beginning on Friday, October 24 at 4:00 pm. Please check the online schedule for details.
Do I need to register my student or my children?
No, you do not need to register your student or anyone under the age of 18.
When should I get to campus?
We recommend families check with their student. Some families arrive on Friday; others arrive on Saturday. Alumni/ae, we hope you will consider coming for the weekend to enjoy the many events on campus.
Where will registration take place?
Registration will be held on Friday, October 24 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm and Saturday, October 25 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm at the Gabrielle H. Reem and Herbert J. Kayden Center for Science and Computation.
What name will my registration material be under?
Registration packets will be under the primary registrant’s name.
Weekend Activities
What will there be to do?
View the weekend schedule online here.
How can I experience a class?
We offer many classes throughout the day on Saturday. All registrants will be emailed a class registration link on Friday October 24 in order to sign up for classes. Two classes per person will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you miss online registration, you will be able to sign up in-person at registration.
How do I reserve tickets for the Bard College Conservatory Orchestra Concert at the Fisher Center?
You may purchase tickets online, by calling 845-758-7900, or in-person at the Box Office in the Sosnoff Theater lobby, Monday to Friday, 10 am – 5 pm and one hour prior to performance.
Travel Arrangements
Will there be shuttle service between Bard’s campus and local hotels and train stations?
Please view the campus shuttle schedule here. The train shuttle schedule can be found here. Shuttles between campus and hotels will not be available.
Are there accommodations near campus?
Yes, the towns of Red Hook, Rhinebeck, Tivoli, and the surrounding area have many hotels, inns, and B&Bs. We recommend booking your accommodations as soon as possible.
Are families and alumni/ae permitted to use the campus shuttle?
All passengers must have a Bard ID or guest pass to ride the Bard shuttle. Guest passes, which may be picked up at the Security Office, must include the guests' names and an expiration date. A student may pick up a guest pass for a parent, take a photo of the pass, and forward the photo to the parents. The photo may be used to board the shuttle if parents need to ride it before obtaining the physical guest pass.
Dining On Campus
Can I pay onsite for the meals at Kline?
If you plan to dine on campus, you can purchase a meal ticket either at registration or at the door at Kline. There are many local restaurants if you prefer to eat off campus.
Contact
Feel free to email the Office of Special Events if you need further assistance.
What are the dates?
Family and Alumni/ae Weekend will be held Friday through Sunday, October 24–26, 2025.
Is Family and Alumni/ae Weekend only for families of first-year students?
All families of Bard students and alumni/ae are encouraged to attend.
When does online registration close?
Registration closes on Friday, October 17. If you miss the deadline, you are welcome to come to onsite registration, beginning on Friday, October 24 at 4:00 pm. Please check the online schedule for details.
Do I need to register my student or my children?
No, you do not need to register your student or anyone under the age of 18.
When should I get to campus?
We recommend families check with their student. Some families arrive on Friday; others arrive on Saturday. Alumni/ae, we hope you will consider coming for the weekend to enjoy the many events on campus.
Where will registration take place?
Registration will be held on Friday, October 24 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm and Saturday, October 25 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm at the Gabrielle H. Reem and Herbert J. Kayden Center for Science and Computation.
What name will my registration material be under?
Registration packets will be under the primary registrant’s name.
Weekend Activities
What will there be to do?
View the weekend schedule online here.
How can I experience a class?
We offer many classes throughout the day on Saturday. All registrants will be emailed a class registration link on Friday October 24 in order to sign up for classes. Two classes per person will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you miss online registration, you will be able to sign up in-person at registration.
How do I reserve tickets for the Bard College Conservatory Orchestra Concert at the Fisher Center?
You may purchase tickets online, by calling 845-758-7900, or in-person at the Box Office in the Sosnoff Theater lobby, Monday to Friday, 10 am – 5 pm and one hour prior to performance.
Travel Arrangements
Will there be shuttle service between Bard’s campus and local hotels and train stations?
Please view the campus shuttle schedule here. The train shuttle schedule can be found here. Shuttles between campus and hotels will not be available.
Are there accommodations near campus?
Yes, the towns of Red Hook, Rhinebeck, Tivoli, and the surrounding area have many hotels, inns, and B&Bs. We recommend booking your accommodations as soon as possible.
Are families and alumni/ae permitted to use the campus shuttle?
All passengers must have a Bard ID or guest pass to ride the Bard shuttle. Guest passes, which may be picked up at the Security Office, must include the guests' names and an expiration date. A student may pick up a guest pass for a parent, take a photo of the pass, and forward the photo to the parents. The photo may be used to board the shuttle if parents need to ride it before obtaining the physical guest pass.
Dining On Campus
Can I pay onsite for the meals at Kline?
If you plan to dine on campus, you can purchase a meal ticket either at registration or at the door at Kline. There are many local restaurants if you prefer to eat off campus.
Contact
Feel free to email the Office of Special Events if you need further assistance.