Welcome
We look forward to you and your guests attending your ceremony and reception. There is no fee to participate. Tickets are required so that we can plan adequately and accommodate as many guests as possible. From April 9 through May 3, each bachelor's degree candidate may receive up to five guest tickets for the ceremony in which he or she will participate. Should you find at any point that you do not need each of the guest tickets you have acquired, kindly return any unnecessary tickets to the Events Management Office, Cleveland Hall 112, so another graduate can use them.
Bachelor's ticket distribution is now closed.
Ticket distribution ran from April 9 through May 3 (please see below). Participation in the 2008 commencement is extremely high, and students who registered during the allotted time did receive up to the five allotted tickets per student.
From April 9 through May 3
Bachelor's candidates received:
- Registration for either the 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. ceremony (choice accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis).
- An entrance ticket to the processional lineup in the Ice Arena.
- Up to five guest tickets for either the 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. ceremony.
Students who have not registered and now wish to participate are asked to contact Events Management at 878-3840. The bookstore has no commencement tickets to distribute. Caps, gowns, and graduation accessories may still be purchased in the bookstore during regular store hours.
Additional tickets are sometimes available on commencement day as students kindly turn in any tickets they are not using.
If you HAVE tickets PRIOR to commencement, please turn them in to the Events Management Office, Cleveland Hall 112.
If you HAVE extra tickets ON COMMENCEMENT day, please turn them in to the guest services booth outside the Sports Arena when you arrive.
If you NEED extra tickets on commencement day, please go to the guest services booth outside the Sports Arena, where any available tickets will be distributed.
Please also know that live video viewing is available and is not ticketed.
Live Video Viewing-Overflow Seating
The ceremony will be held in the Sports Arena (PDF, 34KB), where guest seating capacity is approximately 3,100 individuals. To accommodate as many guests as possible on campus, live video viewing will be available for the 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. ceremonies in an overflow seating area in the Bulger Communication Center. Tickets are not required for entrance into the Bulger Communication Center (PDF, 457KB).
Note regarding guests with young children: Admittance to the live ceremony in the Sports Arena is by ticket only. Young children DO require tickets for admittance, as building capacity is based on individuals, including a child who will sit on an adult's lap. Please know that the live video viewing in the Bulger Communication Center is an option for all guests, and this is a great venue for those with young children to view the ceremony while also attending to children's needs.
Ticket Distribution Timeline
Commencement Kickoff
Wednesday, April 9
Commencement registration and ticket distribution began with Commencement Kickoff in the bookstore from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Ticket Distribution Continued April 10 through May 3
Following Commencement Kickoff, registration continued in the bookstore during regular store hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Saturday, 12:00-4:00 p.m. Call the bookstore at (716) 878-5509 with any cap and gown questions.
Bachelor's registration
The bookstore makes every effort to accommodate bachelor's graduates and their guests with their choices of ceremony, either 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. Please know that guest tickets for ceremony choice are distributed on a first-registered, first-accommodated basis.
If you wish to march in the same ceremony as your friends, we do encourage you to plan early. You will be seated by school, and you may sit with your friends who are in the same school as you. You do not need to register together to be seated together. Learn more about the bachelor's ceremony and seating arrangements (PDF, 34KB).
To register, you may print and complete the bachelor's ceremony registration card (PDF, 102KB). Or, just complete a card available in the bookstore. Either way, you will need a completed card and identification to register and receive guest tickets. Learn more about the bachelor's degree application deadlines.
Note regarding faculty and staff participation: Faculty and staff who wish to attend a ceremony in the Sports Arena but do not intend to march or usher must obtain a guest ticket from a graduate to be admitted. The faculty/staff invitations do not change the number of tickets each graduate is allotted. Faculty and staff can register online to march and volunteer.
