Not all Yalies will get a seat at this year’s Class Day speech — only those with tickets will hear former President Bill Clinton LAW ’73 speak.
Deputy Secretary Martha Highsmith, who oversees campus security, sent an e-mail to Yale faculty, students and staff last week informing them that a limited number of tickets will be available for Class Day, though Commencement events, including Class Day, are typically open to the entire Yale community. Highsmith said strict security measures on Class Day will ensure that no one enters Old Campus without a ticket and valid Yale ID.
Yale community members who wish to attend Class Day can pick up tickets in Sprague Hall until 3 p.m. today. Seniors and their guests have been asked to request tickets through their residential colleges.
University President Richard Levin said Yale events that include speeches by presidents, former presidents and other high-profile individuals are always ticketed.
“It’s a security concern,” he said.
Clinton will take the stage on Old Campus at 2 p.m. on Sunday. For those who do not get tickets, his speech will be broadcast live on Yale television and a local Comcast channel, as well as on the Commencement website.