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 will open in March. 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.

The cost of registration depends on the events you register for and if you request on-campus housing. This year we are implementing a new pricing structure. We recommend you register early to lock in the lowest prices.

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 Engagement 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: 1954 (70th), 1959 (65th),1964 (60th), 1969 (55th), 1974 (50th), 1979 (45th), 1984 (40th), 1989 (35th), 1994 (30th), 1999 (25th), 2004 (20th), 2009 (15th), 2014 (10th) and 2019 (5th).

Absolutely! We encourage all alumni to attend Alumni Weekend.

Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Exceptions are made to accommodate guests with special needs and to maximize the number of alumni we can house. We cannot guarantee that requests for specific housing or roommates will be met.

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 Engagement 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. Keys are used to access your room, while 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. 

March 5–April 30 (early bird):

• $80 for 1 night
• $150 for 2+ nights

May 1–31 (normal registration):

• $100 for 1 night
• $175 for 2+ nights

June 1–9 (walk-in registration):

• $125 for 1 night
• $200 for 2+ 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.

Dickinson’s residence halls are functional but offer minimal amenities. These spaces have been designed to fit the needs of full-time college students who provide many of their own personal items. Dickinson will provide basic bed linens, a towel, washcloth, pillow and blanket, but these items are not replenished daily. If you have specific bedding needs, you may wish to supplement with your own items. If you desire other amenities such as lamps, nightlights, coat hangers, tissues, toiletries, hair dryers, irons or wastebaskets, please bring them with you.

Many beds in our residence halls are lofted to a height of 34–40 inches from the ground. We cannot guarantee that any bed will be of a standard height, and we are unable to change bed heights during Alumni Weekend. A limited number of folding step stools will be available on a first come, first serve basis. 

We do our best to accommodate special requests, but we cannot guarantee that every request will be granted. Shared bathrooms will be designated for men and women. Gender-neutral bathrooms are available on request. Smoking is not permitted in any campus facility. Smoking in the residence halls will result in a penalty fee.

Class and affinity lounges will be stocked with a variety of snacks and drinks for those celebrating milestone years. 

All rooms must be vacated by noon on Sunday, and keys and swipe cards must be returned to Waidner-Spahr Library. Failure to return your key and/or swipe card will result in an additional charge 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 Office of Alumni Engagement 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 Office of Alumni Engagement 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. To access the facilities, please show your Alumni Weekend name tag to the Kline Center staff.

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 Office of Alumni Engagement 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.