School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
Saturday, May 12
1 pm, Lippes Concert Hall
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
Students who have completed all degree requirements for their major (Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences) , filed for degree with an expected conferral date of September 1, 2011, February 1, 2012 or June 1, 2012 and who remain in good academic standing; may participate in commencement.
Contact Information
Karl Fiebelkorn, 645-2824 kdf@buffalo.edu
Registration
Important Notice:
The Commencement Packages will be distributed via email sometime in February for the Doctor of Pharmacy Candidates. The forms must be returned to Denise Grisanti by Friday, April 6, 2012 in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. Carol Fritsch will distribute the Commencement Packages to eligible candidates in the Pharmaceutics Department in February as well. All forms must be returned to Denise Grisanti’s Office by Friday, April 6, 2012 in order to participate in the graduation ceremony.
FAQs
How long is the ceremony? Approximately two hours.
How many tickets am I allowed? Five guest tickets - First-come first-serve seating. SEATING BEGINS AT 12:30 p.m.
What if I need more than five tickets? Due to the number of graduating students and the capacity limitations in Lippes Concert Hall, five tickets is the maximum per student. If you are looking for additional tickets, ask your classmates who may not be using all 5 of their guest tickets. Remind them to request all 5 tickets or they will only receive the amount they've requested.
When and where do I get my tickets? Tickets will be made available at the final class meeting scheduled sometime in April. Meeting to be announced.
Is the Lippes Concert Hall handicapped accessible and is special handicapped seating provided?
Yes, it is. Please contact Denise Grisanti (716-645-2824) to make arrangements in advance. Ushers will be assigned to seat guests who are handicapped. Only one family member is allowed to accompany the individual requiring handicapped seating. The rest of the family will be asked to wait until 12:30 when the other guests are permitted into the hall.
Elevator: An elevator is located in the building. Please ask an usher to direct you.
Wheelchairs: Wheelchairs are not available at Lippes Concert Hall. We strongly encourage those who need a wheelchair to please bring one with them.
Tickets: There are no specific tickets for disabled seating. Each guest will need a standard guest ticket in order to enter the ceremony venue at Lippes Concert Hall.
Special Seating Areas: Please note that the individual in a wheelchair may bring ONE ticketed companion to sit with them; this is to ensure that we maintain ample seating for others in need. Please ask an usher or volunteer to direct you. The two seating areas for guests with wheelchairs are as follows:
- Along the center cross aisle divide
- Between pillars on the side walkways of the hall
Do we need to make prior requests for handicapped seating? Yes, please contact Denise Grisanti at (716)645-2824 to make special arrangements.
Where do my guests park? Slee Lots on Augspurger Road. Many signs will be posted and aides will direct traffic (including handicapped parking).
If I am the GUEST OF a graduate and I have a disability, what accommodations will be available? Disabled Parking Lots may be accessed by those with official disabled parking hangtags. The University at Buffalo does not issue these. For guests who are unable to walk from the parking lot, please pull up on Coventry Loop to drop them off in front of Lippes Concert Hall. Parking is not permitted in Coventry Loop.
Are individual names announced? Yes. In addition, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs will make a few brief remarks about each graduate (professional organizations, future plans, special awards).
Where do I first report and when? Lippes Concert Hall at 11:15. Rehearsal begins at 11:30.
Will further instructions be received by students? Yes, at the rehearsal.
How do I order a cap and gown? Through the University Bookstore, located on the North Campus, beginning January 18 through February 24 for Pharm.D./Ph.D. Candidates, and beginning March 6 for the Masters and Bachelor Candidates. For out-of-town orders, call (716) 636-6290 (ext. 19 or 25). Credit cards are accepted.
Pricing:
Bachelor cap, gown, hood & tassel PURCHASE - $80.25 (plus tax)
Total - $80.25 (plus tax)
Master cap, gown, hood & tassel PURCHASE - $91.50 (plus tax)
Total - $91.50 (plus tax)
Doctoral / Ph.D. or Pharm.D. cap, gown, tassel RENTAL - $33.00(plus tax)
Doctoral / Ph.D. or Pharm.D. hood RENTAL - $24.00 (plus tax)
Total - $57.00 (plus tax)
I will not complete my degree in May. May I still march in the ceremony? No. Your degree must be conferred for September 11, February 12 or June 12 in order to participate in the ceremony. You will be invited to attend next year's ceremony.
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. We do have a professional photographer taking a photo of each graduate and many candid shots throughout the event.
Will there be a professional photographer at the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Commencement? Yes. GradTrak is the contracted photography studio. Proofs will be available online for viewing and ordering approximately one week following the commencement ceremony.
Are baby strollers permitted? We ask that you please not bring strollers to this ceremony. 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 hall.