What to Expect at Commencement
General Information
Date: Sunday, May 21, 2023
Location: Alumni Arena
Morning Ceremony (Arts, Natural Sciences and Mathematics): 9:30 a.m.
Afternoon Ceremony (Social Sciences and Humanities): 3:00 p.m.
Coordinator: Anne Mecca
Contact: (716) 645-1391 or cas-commencement@buffalo.edu
Arrival Information
Please arrive to the Edward Wright Practice Facility (room 76, also known as the triple gym) in Alumni Arena an hour and a half prior to your ceremony start time (8:00 a.m. for the 9:30 a.m. ceremony, 1:30 p.m. for the 3:00 p.m. ceremony). You may enter the arena via the Coventry Circle or Webster Road entrance (FYI - the Webster entrance is closer to the triple gym). Don't forget your cap, gown, hood and tassel!
Once you've arrived, please follow the steps below:
When you arrive, you will see registration booths marked with sections of the alphabet. Please go to the booth that corresponds with your last name. You will check in and receive two identical reader cards with your name on them. One is for your posed headshot photo and the other is to give to the name readers as you cross the stage. PLEASE DO NOT LOSE THEM!
After you check in and receive your reader cards, you will go across the hall to the dance student where a GradImages photographer will take your picture. They will take ONE of your TWO reader cards (remember: hold on to the other one!)
You can pre-register at https://www.gradimages.com/registration/ prior to the ceremony to share your photos with loved ones and receive a coupon code for 20% off. You will receive an email from GradImages when your photos are ready to view and order or you can check gradimages.com.
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not arrive an hour and a half prior to your ceremony start time, we cannot guarantee you will have the opportunity for a posed head shot photo.
Once you've had your picture taken, you can make your way back to the main robing area in the triple gym. There, you will find your department's seating section. Departments are arranged alphabetically but students can sit wherever they want within their department (no assigned seating!).
Each department has a faculty or staff member assigned as an academic marshal. Your academic marshal can answer any questions you may have and will guide you in lining up for the procession.
Once you finish all the other steps, take some time to hang out with your friends and get excited to graduate! There will be music, snacks and several photo booth areas stocked with props provided for FREE by the College of Arts and Sciences.
If you do take photos, don't forget to tag them with #UBClassof2023 so we can share them on our social media as well as the jumbotron in the arena!
Important notes
If you do not arrive an hour and a half prior to your ceremony start time, we cannot guarantee you will have the opportunity for a posed head shot photo.
We recommend limiting the items (purses, bags, etc) you bring with you as you will need to hold onto them for the duration of the event.
THIS IS A TICKETED CEREMONY. All guests over the age of two will need a ticket to enter the arena. Children two and under do not need a ticket.
All guest tickets are mobile-only. Please make sure your phone is charged and the brightness is turned up so we can easily scan your ticket when you arrive.
We recommend that guests park in the following lots:
- Stadium Lot
- Slee A Lot
- Baird A Lot
During commencement ceremonies, guests are welcome to park in any faculty/staff and student parking lots; a UB parking pass is not required.
Guests may enter Alumni Arena via the Coventry Circle (front) entrance. Doors will open approximately an hour and a half prior to the ceremony. All seating is general admission.
Unfortunately, we do not have additional tickets for this ceremony. Friends and family who do not have a ticket for the ceremony are invited to view the ceremony via live simulcast online. A link to the live-stream and for technical requirement will be posted here prior to the ceremony.
Event Security
Safety is our first priority. Upon entry to Alumni Arena, security personnel will greet students and guests and conduct a speedy inspection of all bags, purses, and containers. They may also ask you to unfasten any outerwear. Due to these security measures, please plan to arrive a few minutes early.
Please note and alert your guests that the following items are strictly prohibited on the premises:
- Strollers
- Bags or backpacks larger than 12"x12"x6"
- Food and beverages
- Weapons
- Alcohol
- Illicit drugs and/or related paraphernalia
- Signs/sticks
- Flags/banners
- Balloons or beach balls
- Fireworks or explosives
- Laser objects
- Voice amplifiers or noise makers
- Animals (except service animals)
- Any item that, in the judgment of venue management, may pose a safety hazard or diminish the enjoyment of the event by other guests.