Undergraduate Ceremony for College of Arts & Sciences & Associate Degrees
Sunday, May 13
10 a.m., Alumni Arena
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 University Commencement is intended and scheduled ONLY for undergraduates in the College of Arts and Sciences who graduated in September '11 and February '12 and degree candidates for June '12. Students should check with their advisors to make sure all degree requirements have been met. Diplomas are mailed by the Office of the Registrar approximately six weeks after the degrees are conferred.
Please note that many departments schedule gatherings during the days leading up to and including commencement weekend. Please check directly with your department to see if any activities may be taking place in addition to your official commencement exercise.
Contacts
Sonia Marinaccio, 645-6147 ext. 2 - smarin@buffalo.edu
Registration
Graduating students who wish to participate in this ceremony must register online
. Registration deadline is May 1, 2012 at 12 Noon.
FAQs
- For assistance in making a trip to the University at Buffalo and metro Buffalo enjoyable, it is suggested that you visit www.buffalo.edu/directions
s for specific and individualized arrangements ranging from travel to restaurants to lodging to site-seeing.
- Gold Cord/Honors: Please see Recognition of Latin Honors Students section in the right margin.
- Other Insignia: Students who belong to honor societies or other academic organizations or who have received other academic honors are encouraged to wear those insignias, emblems or pins on their robes.
How long is the ceremony? Approximately 2.5 hours.
How many tickets am I allowed? A maximum of four tickets - Seating begins at 8:30 a.m. and is general admission (first-come first-served seating.)
What if I need more than four tickets? Due to the number of graduating students and the capacity limitations of Alumni Arena, four tickets is the maximum per student (sorry, no exceptions). Additional guests can however be seated in the Center for the Arts MainStage Theatre (next door to Alumni Arena), where the ceremony can be viewed live via closed circuit on the big screen. There is no limit on the number of additional guests and no tickets are required for the CFA MainStage Theatre venue.
When and where do I get my tickets? Tickets will be made available to ceremony registrants in mid April. Upon registering for the ceremony, you will receive a confirmation e-mail which will indicate when/where you may pick up your tickets. A reminder e-mail with important details will be sent to you as the ticket distribution dates draw near.
What accommodations are available for graduates' guests with disabilities? Please visit the Guests with Disabilities link at commencement.buffalo.edu for detailed information.
What if I (graduating student) have a disability which impacts my ability to participate in the University 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 "Registration" section at the top of this page. Our commencement coordinator will contact you to discuss and finalize your accommodations.
Friends or family unable to attend University Commencement? They can watch the ceremony live online at commencement.buffalo.edu/commstream.
Where do my guests park? West side of Arena - Baird, Jacobs & Slee Lots on Augspurger Road. East side of Arena – Arena Lot. Many signs will be posted and aides will direct traffic (including handicapped parking). Slee B will be a designated handicapped parking lot.
Are baby strollers permitted? Baby strollers cannot be brought into the Alumni Arena.
Are individual names announced? Yes.
Where do I first report and when? Edward Wright Practice Facility by 8:30 am. Further instructions will be given at that time.
Will students receive further instructions? Ceremony registrants will be e-mailed periodically throughout the semester. Last minute details will be e-mailed on or before May 9, 2012.
How do I order a cap, gown and hood? Through the University Bookstore, located on the North Campus, beginning March 6, 2012. For out-of-town orders, call (716) 636-6290 (ext. 19 or 25). Credit Cards are accepted. See Cap & Gown information section.
I will not complete my degree in May. May I still march in the ceremony? Yes. Your name will be announced, but your name will not be printed in the program since it only lists degree conferrals through June 2012.
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 taped and available for purchase? Yes, you may purchase a DVD online
.
Will there be a professional photographer at the University Commencement? Yes. Grad Images is the contracted photography studio. Proofs will be mailed to each student, approx. one week following the commencement ceremony. Please direct questions to the photography studio at 1-800-628-4509.
How can I order personalized graduation announcements? Personalized graduation announcements are available through Josten’s website.
Be the Student Speaker for the 2012 University Commencement
The competition for the University Commencement Student Speaker is open to all graduating seniors in the College of Arts & Sciences. Finalists will be asked to present their speeches. Speeches should be no longer than three minutes. Speaker selection will be based on message, composition, and delivery. Selection committee will be comprised of faculty, staff, and students. The winner will deliver his/her speech during the University Commencement on Sunday, May 13. The Student Speaker will receive a UB class ring*, courtesy of Jostens.
*Silver Elite with Platinum, or Solaris Elite.
Submit your written speech no later than 5 p.m., Friday, March 23 to the:
Student Speaker Selection Committee
c/o College of Arts and Sciences
829 Clemens Hall, North Campus