School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
Saturday, May 12
1 p.m., Alumni Arena
Noon - graduating students must report
Graduation Ceremonies
Remember: All undergraduate students, and certain graduate students, must apply for their degree via the HUB Student Center before February 15, 2012. Exceptions: Law, Medical (MD), and Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) students do not need to fill out the Graduate School's degree forms. However, Law students graduating with dual degrees (e.g. MBA, MSW), or MD students graduating with dual degrees (e.g. MBA, MPH) need to apply for these graduate degrees via the HUB Student Center. Please check with your other department or school. Visit the registrar's site 
for more information
Recognition of Latin Honors
Students earning baccalaureate degrees (including those awarded as part of combined degrees) are eligible to receive Latin honors based on their UB cumulative grade point average (GPA) on the following scale:
| Average (based on 4.0 = A) | |
|---|---|
| 3.20 | cum laude |
| 3.50 | magna cum laude |
| 3.75 | summa cum laude |
To qualify for Latin honors, students must present a minimum of 60 credit hours of UB undergraduate coursework, at least 54 of which must be graded credits (i.e., not satisfactory or unsatisfactory [grades of 'S' or 'U']).
To receive the Latin honors designation in the printed 2012 Commencement programs, and to be eligible to wear the honorific Gold Cord (magna or summa cum laude ONLY) during these ceremonies, candidates for the June 2012 degree conferral date must qualify based upon their UB cumulative GPA through the Fall 2011 semester and projected UB credit hours through the Spring 2012 semester. Standings for Latin honors MAY change once final grades are posted or degrees conferred.
These Commencement 2012 recognition elements are only intended for students who have had or will have their degrees conferred in Sept. 2011, Feb. 2012, or Jun. 2012.
The Gold Cords will be available for purchase ($11) at the University Bookstore (N. Campus) beginning Mar. 6. Students must present UB ID at time of purchase.
Candidates for graduation are encouraged to wear on their robes any insignia, emblems or pins signifying membership in honorary societies or academic organizations, or special honors received for academic or extracurricular activities.
Eligibility
Student eligibility for the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences' Commencement for any given year is:
- B.A., B.S., combined baccalaureate and masters, M.Eng., M.S., and Ph.D. graduates (previous September and February of given academic year) or prospective graduates (June) from any of the school's seven departments.
- Exceptions
- Undergraduates who are not finished but will do so during the immediate summer are allowed to participate
- Graduate level students who have extenuating circumstances are handled on an individual basis.
- Permission of major professor and department are needed for early exceptions.
- A student unable to attend the Commencement for his/her year is granted a one-year extension to participate the following year when he/she asks to do so.
Contact Information
Robert E. Barnes, 645-3129 rebarnes@buffalo.edu
John Van Benschoten, 645-0964 jev@buffalo.edu
Registration
Students participating in the ceremony are required to register online. A registration link will be posted here by April 1. Registration deadline: May 2, 2012.
Graduating students, their families and friends, alumni, and faculty and staff are all invited to attend our graduation ceremony. No tickets are required to attend the ceremony.
If you would like to verify that your name will be printed in the commencement booklet, please refer to a special website: link to it will be posted here around March 1 through April 1. If your name is not on the website, it is not listed in the program. No exceptions.
There is no commencement rehearsal for students. On commencement day, students report to the Edward Wright Practice Facility inside the Arena no later than Noon. Any needed additional instruction will be given to you by your commencement marshal.
All departments will hold a reception immediately following the commencement ceremony. Please check with department for specific location. All are welcome.
Graduation attire, rental or purchase and other graduation related items can be found at the Campus bookstore. Their phone number is 636-6290 (ext. 19 or 25). (See Cap & Gown information section.)
FAQs
How do I order a cap and gown? Through the University Bookstore, located on the North Campus. For out-of-town orders, call (716) 636-6290 (ext. 19 or 25). Credit Cards are accepted. See Cap & Gown information section.
I have completed my degree requirements. How may I verify my name will be printed in the commencement program? The names to be printed in the program are posted in early spring (approx. March 1 through April 1) at http://www.eng.buffalo.edu/Commencement/2012/ If your name is not listed on this site, it is not in the program.
I have completed my degree requirements but my name is not listed on the website. How do I request my name be added to the program listing?
If you are a(an):
Undergraduate student: please contact the front desk at 410 Bonner Hall.
Graduate student: please contact your department's graduate secretary
I will complete my degree requirements this summer. My graduation date will be September 2012. May I still march in the May 2012 ceremony? If you are an Undergraduate student - Yes. Your name will be announced, but your name will not be printed in this year’s program. Your name will be listed in next year’s program under September 2012. If you are a Graduate student you must be granted permission by your major professor and department to walk in the commencement ceremony. If permission is given your name will be announced, but your name will not be printed in this year’s program.
How many tickets am I allowed? No Admission Tickets Are Required. There are no admission tickets for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences commencement ceremony on Saturday May 12, 2012 at 1 p.m.
What accommodations are available for graduates' guests with disabilities? Please refer to the "Guests with Disabilities" page; there you will find specific information regarding disability accommodations at Alumni Arena. Also, as graduates register to participate in the ceremony, they may indicate if they or a guest has a disabling condition and what accommodations are needed (special needs should be indicated by April 29).
What if I (graduating student) have a disability which impacts my ability to participate in the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences' commencement ceremony? Please note if you have a disabling condition and what accommodations you require, as you register for the ceremony. Registration to participate in the ceremony is done online through the "Pre-Register" link above. Please indicate special needs by April 29. A staff member will contact you to discuss and finalize your accommodations.
Are baby strollers permitted? Baby strollers cannot be brought into the Alumni Arena.
Where do my guests park? West side of Alumni Arena – Baird, Jacobs & Slee Lots on Augspurger Road. Many signs will be posted and aides will direct traffic (including handicapped parking).
Where do I first report and when? Meet in the Edward L. Wright Training Facility inside the Arena no later than Noon. Further instructions will be given to you by the commencement marshals at that time.
Are individual names announced? Yes.
How long is the ceremony? Approximately two hours.
When will I receive my diploma? The Office of the Registrar will mail your diploma to your permanent address approx. 6 weeks after the conferral date. Note: Students are responsible for making address changes
.
Is the ceremony recorded? Yes. A link will be posted on the School's commencement web page by mid-week following the ceremony.
Will there be a professional photographer at Engineering's Commencement? Yes. Chappell/Aardvark Studio, Inc. is the contracted photography studio. Proofs will be mailed to each student’s permanent address following the commencement ceremony. All questions or inquiries must be made to the studio at 1-800-424-3686.