Alumni Weekend FAQ

We strongly encourage you to preregister for Alumni Weekend. While walk-ins are welcome, we cannot guarantee that the events or on-campus housing you prefer will be available when you arrive on campus. Register as early as possible to secure on-campus housing with your reunion class or affinity group. The sooner you register, the more likely we will be able to accommodate your preferences.

Online registration for Alumni Weekend is currently open. The deadline to register is May 31. The online registration form allows you to register for specific events happening on campus during the weekend, including reunion dinners, award ceremonies and events geared toward affinity groups, such as a fraternity or sorority reunion. You can also use the online form to reserve on-campus housing. You will need a credit card to register online and to reserve space in one of the residence halls.

Come to the Welcome Center, located in the Waidner-Spahr Library, when you arrive on campus to register and sign up for on-campus housing. We accept credit card and cash payments. Housing for walk-ins is assigned on a first come, first serve basis, according to room availability. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to room near your classmates unless you preregister for Alumni Weekend.

Cancellations will be accepted with full refunds until June 1. You must contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 717-245-1373 or alumwknd@dickinson.edu to cancel and request a refund.

You'll find a full schedule of events here.

This year, the following reunion classes have on-campus celebratory gatherings: 1953 (70th), 1958 (65th),1963 (60th), 1968 (55th), 1973 (50th), 1978 (45th), 1983 (40th), 1988 (35th), 1993 (30th), 1998 (25th), 2003 (20th), 2008 (15th), 2013 (10th) and 2018 (5th).

Absolutely! We encourage all alumni to attend Alumni Weekend.

Dickinson is currently experiencing the same worker shortage as many other employers across the country, and that affects the number of available housing staff. To help combat this issue and ensure the college’s ability to provide cleaning services for housing locations for Alumni Weekend, we will be condensing the areas in which alumni will be housed on campus. As such, we may not be able to fulfill requests for specific housing for Alumni Weekend.

If you would like to request a roommate, please ensure that both you and your requested roommate list each other on the respective registration forms. The Office of Alumni Relations makes every effort to accommodate specific room and roommate requests. Specific room assignments will not be announced until arrival on campus.

One of your first stops on campus should be the Alumni Weekend Welcome Center, located in Waidner-Spahr Library. This is where you pick up schedules, housing assignments and keys, and where you may register for the weekend activities, if you haven’t already. There is a $100 deposit for each key and a $10 deposit for each swipe card. Swipe cards are used to access class lounge spaces and residence halls after hours.

If you arrive on campus after the Welcome Center closes, you may pick up your keys and swipe cards at Dickinson’s Department of Public Safety (DPS), located in Kaufman Hall, 400 W. North Street, Carlisle, PA 17013 (717-245-1349). Please check the Welcome Center hours of operation. 

The cost per person is $80 for one night and $150 for two+ nights. Registrants booking housing for Alumni Weekend must register for an individual bed for each person staying in college housing. To comply with fire codes for our buildings, the number of occupants in each residential space cannot exceed the number of beds within it.

Dorm rooms are functional but offer minimal amenities. Bed linens, towels, washcloths, pillows and blankets are provided but not replenished daily. All linens must remain in the room following checkout. Guests will be charged for missing linens.

If you desire other amenities such as lamps, nightlights, coat hangers or wastebaskets, please bring them with you. Shared bathrooms will be designated for men and women. Gender-neutral bathrooms are available upon request. Please note that there are no telephones in residence halls. Smoking is not permitted in any campus facility. Smoking in residence halls will result in a penalty fee.

All rooms must be vacated by noon on Sunday, and keys and swipe cards must be returned to Waidner-Spahr Library or your deposit will be charged to the credit card we have on file.

A list of area hotels is available online. 

The two closest airports are Harrisburg International and Baltimore / Washington International Airport. The closest Amtrak station is in downtown Harrisburg.

We recommend you rent a car and drive to Carlisle if these are your preferred modes of transportation to Central Pa. You may also be able to use a ride-share app (e.g., Uber, Lyft) if you are traveling through Harrisburg.

Taxi service: Harrisburg City Cabs — 717-232-5555.

Public transportation: www.cattransit.com.
 

During Alumni Weekend, you are welcome to park anywhere on or near campus, as long as you are not violating any posted parking regulations or illegally parking in a handicapped parking space.

Golden Alumni parking is available in the ATS parking lot. These spaces are reserved for Golden Alumni only. Golden Alumni are those celebrating their 51st or higher reunions.

RVs are permitted on campus during Alumni Weekend and can be parked in designated areas, with approval from Dickinson’s Department of Public Safety (DPS). Please contact the Alumni Relations Office at 717-245-1373 or alumwknd@dickinson.edu to make arrangements and get additional information.

Golf carts are available to assist alumni with mobility issues in maneuvering around campus. Please contact the Alumni Relations Office at 717-245-1373 or alumwknd@dickinson.edu to request assistance.

Meals are available throughout the weekend. A full schedule of meals and fees are available through the online registration form for Alumni Weekend. The Dining Hall is not open during Alumni Weekend. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are available on campus. Please complete the dietary restrictions question when registering online.

Off-campus dining options are available in downtown Carlisle at your own discretion. A list of local restaurants will be provided at the Welcome Center during check-in.

Thank you for your continued support of the college! Gifts can be made through our online giving form.

If it’s your reunion year, all gifts made to Dickinson, regardless of their designation, will count toward your overall class gift. Your participation is important, and we hope you will make a gift during this special year. Thank you!

Recommended dress for receptions and dinners is dressy casual. Dress for the remainder of the weekend’s events is casual.

The Kline Center and Fitness Center will be open throughout the weekend. All alumni and guests are required to complete the Kline Fitness Center orientation before utilizing the fitness center. Please present a printed copy of your Kline Fitness Center orientation certificate of completion and your Alumni Weekend nametag to the staff at the Kline Center to access the facilities.

Enjoy 20% off all clothing and drinkware during Alumni Weekend!

• Friday: 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

To let us know if you have accessibility/mobility issues, please contact the alumni relations staff at 717-245-1373 or alumwknd@dickinson.edu or indicate your needs by answering specific questions about mobility/accessibility on the online registration form.

Dickinson does not maintain a list of area babysitters or childcare options. Children are welcome at Dickinson reunions, but child-friendly events are limited. Reduced prices for children’s meals are only available where listed.

No pets are allowed on campus. Please leave your furry friends at home.