Graduate School of Education
Friday, May 11
9 a.m., Center for the Arts
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
The following policies are in effect for the 2012 Graduate School of Education (GSE) Commencement Ceremony.- Only those students whose degree requirements will be completed by the end of the Spring 2012 semester will be permitted to walk across the stage at commencement.
- Each doctoral graduate must be hooded by a GSE faculty member—most often their primary adviser. The doctoral graduate may be hooded by two faculty members, at least one being a GSE faculty member, provided the name, professional title, and institution of the second participant is forwarded to the GSE Dean's Office (Associate Dean Jenifer Lawrence: jlawrenc@buffalo.edu) four weeks prior to commencement.
EXCEPTION:
If a master's student would like to petition for an exception to the above stated policy regarding commencement participation, a written request needs to be submitted to Associate Dean Lawrence by the student four weeks prior to commencement. This request must be accompanied by a letter of support from the student's faculty adviser or program director.
Contact Information
Dr. Jenifer Lawrence, (716) 645-6640 - jlawrenc@buffalo.edu
Registration
The Graduate School of Education will email an invitation to all GSE students eligible to participate in commencement activities, by the end of February 2012. Students that will receive invitations are September 2011 and February 2012 graduates, as well as all June 2012 degree candidates. Only those that receive the email invitation will be instructed to go to a designated web site to complete an online registration form after which you will receive an email confirmation. PLEASE NOTE: Your buffalo.edu email address will be used to communicate with you.
FAQs
How long is the ceremony? Approximately 90 minutes.
How many tickets am I allowed? Tickets are not required for the Graduate School of Education commencement ceremony. First-come first-serve seating. SEATING BEGINS AT 8:30 a.m.
What if I (graduating student) have a disability which impacts my ability to participate in this ceremony? Please note your disabling condition and what accommodations you require, as you register for the ceremony. Our commencement coordinator will contact you to discuss and finalize your accommodations.
If I am the GUEST OF a graduate and I have a disability, what accommodations will be available? Please refer to the "Guests with Disabilities" page for information.
Where do my guests park? Center for the Arts (CFA) parking is in the front of the building – Baird and Slee Lots on Augspurger Road. Many signs will be posted and aides will direct traffic (including handicapped parking).
I am a GUEST OF a graduate and have small children attending; can I bring a baby stroller?
- Guests with small children may bring a baby stroller into the Center for the Arts, however strollers are not allowed in the seats or aisles of the theater due to the hazards they create in the event of an emergency. Strollers may be left in the entrance of the theater at your own risk; ushers inside the theater can direct you to appropriate parking areas for strollers.
- Please note that guests with children who are talking, crying or moving around in a manner that is distracting to other guests or the ceremony may be asked to step outside of the theater.
Are individual names announced? Yes.
Where do I first report and when? Center for the Arts – Black Box Theatre – B85 by 8 a.m.
When will specific information about the Graduate School of Education's Commencement Ceremony be received by participants? Students who complete the online commencement registration form will receive a confirmation email. Specific commencement ceremony instructions will be emailed to all registered participants by the end of April 2012.
How do I order a cap and gown? Master's students order and purchase appropriate academic attire through the University Bookstore, located on the North Campus, beginning March 6, 2012.
Doctoral students rent their academic attire through the University Bookstore. Doctoral orders must be placed between January 18 and February 24. For out-of-town orders, call (716) 636-6290 (ext. 19 or 25). Credit cards are accepted. See the Cap & Gown information section on this website.
I will not complete my degree by May 2012. May I still march in the ceremony? See the GSE Commencement Eligibility Statement (above).
When will I receive my diploma? The Office of the Registrar
will mail your diploma to your PERMANENT ADDRESS approximately six weeks after the conferral date. Note: Students are responsible for making address changes
.
Is the ceremony videotaped and available for purchase? No.
Will there be a professional photographer at the ceremony? No.