Commencement

FAQs

Completing My Degree

How many credits do I need to graduate?
Bachelor's degrees are awarded to students who have earned a minimum of 120 credit hours and have completed both collegewide and major requirements. For advisement and detailed information and guidance, please contact your departmental adviser.

Degree applications are available in the Registrar's Office, Moot Hall 210, or may be downloaded from the Registrars's Web site. Degree requirements and application procedures are posted.

What is the degree application deadline?

September 14, 2007: degree application deadline for December 2007 graduation.

February 1, 2008: degree application deadline for May 2008 graduation.

February 22, 2008: early degree application deadline for August 2008 degree candidates who wish to participate in the Commencement ceremony and/or have their names listed in the program booklet. Otherwise, the degree application deadline for August 2008 graduation is June 6, 2008. For more information visit the Registrar's Web site.

Commencement Notification

How will I be notified about participating in Commencement?
Students who graduate in December 2007 or are potential degree candidates for May 2008 or August 2008 and have applied for their degrees by the deadlines will be notified by mail that they are eligible to participate in Buffalo State's 136th Commencement. They will receive a Commencement informational postcard at their permanent addresses during spring recess (March 24-29). The postcard directs you to this Web site for detailed information and forms.

For more information visit Commencement day and bachelor's registration and guest tickets.

I missed the February degree application deadlines. How do I obtain Commencement ceremony information?
Potential May 2008 degree candidates who apply after February 1 and potential August 2008 degree candidates who apply after February 22 may obtain one Commencement informational postcard beginning March24 from the Registrar's Office upon submitting a degree application.

The postcard directs you to this Commencement Web site, which links to the bachelor's ceremony registration card that may be exchanged for Commencement tickets from April 9 through May 3. The postcard will be date stamped by the Registrar's Office, and late degree applicants must present the validated postcard in the bookstore to register for Commencement and obtain guest tickets.

For more information visit bachelor's registration and guest tickets and degree application deadlines.

I applied for my degree by the deadline. Why did I not receive an informational postcard at my permanent address during spring break (March 24-29, 2008)? Am I eligible to participate in Commencement? Will my name be in the Commencement program booklet?

FIRST, there are a few common reasons why some degree candidates do not receive their postcards. The top two are:

1. Your address of record is outdated.
Commencement postcards are mailed via bulk mail to the permanent address you have on file with the Registrar as of the degree application deadline. The Post Office does not forward bulk mail. If your address has changed and you have not submitted a change of address form, or, you have no permanent address of record, only a local address, please do the following ASAP:

Submit a change of address form to the Registrar's Office. Provide a permanent address and also a local address if applicable. The form is available at www.buffalostate.edu/registrar/forms.xml.
Go to the Registrar's Office during regular hours with your date-stamped copy of your degree application. Your name will be placed on the eligibility list in the bookstore, and you will be able to register for Commencement beginning with Commencement Kickoff on April 9 and continuing through May 3 during regular store hours. Bring photo ID to the Bookstore to receive tickets.
If you had submitted a change of address form, check with the Registrar's Office to be sure it is accurate in their system. The Registrar's Office will provide you with a Commencement informational postcard that includes your name, semester in which you intend to graduate, and whether or not you are eligible to wear the gold honors cord at Commencement. Staff will validate the card. Take the validated card (and photo ID) to the bookstore to register for Commencement.

2. Review of your records.
A preliminary review of your records will be done by the Registrar's Office. A notice will be sent from that office if you lack degree requirements.

SECOND, if you submitted your degree application by the deadline, your name should be on the eligibility list in the bookstore and on the list used by Academic and Student Affairs to produce the Commencement program booklet.

NOTE: Inclusion on the mailing list is not a confirmation of your graduation. The Registrar will conduct a final review of your records once all grades are submitted for the semester you intend to graduate.

For more in-depth issues related to your academic record or mailing address, you are advised to contact the Registrar's Office at regofc@buffalostate.edu or (716) 878-4811.

Will my name be listed in the program booklet?

The program will include the names of:

December 2007 graduates.
May 2008 degree candidates who applied for their degrees in the Registrar's Office by February 1.
August 2008 degree candidates who apply for their degrees in the Registrar's Office by February 22.

Visit bachelor's degree application deadlines.

Please note: While we make every effort to include all degree candidates's names in the Commencement program booklet, those who apply for their degrees after the deadlines (February 1 for May 2008 graduation, and February 22 for August 2008 graduation) are not guaranteed listing in the program.

Registration and Guest Tickets

I will be out of town during Commencement Kickoff. How do I register for Commencement?
A friend may register for you at any time during Commencement registration. They should come prepared with your completed Bachelor's ceremony registration card, (PDF, 102KB) preference for morning or afternoon ceremony, and number of tickets requested (up to five). And, you may register in person in the bookstore anytime during regular bookstore hours from April 9 through May 3.

What are bookstore hours?
www.bkstore.com/buffalostate
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.

I have registered for one ceremony but would like to switch to the other one.
Go to the bookstore during bookstore hours. Bring your ID, degree candidate line-up ticket, and any guest tickets you have obtained. You may exchange your tickets for the ceremony you prefer if space and tickets are available. For more information visit bachelor's registration and guest tickets.

I am unable to come to campus during bookstore hours. How do I obtain tickets and purchase my cap and gown?
Candidates living out of town only may use the out-of-town (only) cap and gown order (PDF, 101KB). Mail the form with payment to the bookstore by April 11. Enclose an additional $6.95 for shipping and handling to have your order mailed to you. Otherwise, indicate that you will pick up your order in the bookstore by April 18. For more information visit bachelor's registration and guest tickets.

Will children/babies among my guests need tickets for the ceremony?
Yes. 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 children who may sit on adults’ laps. The Sports Arena accommodates approximately 3,100 guests.

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. Tickets are not required for video viewing in the Bulger Communication Center (PDF, 457KB), which is located directly next to the location of the post-ceremony receptions.

I applied for my degree after the deadline, but I will participate in the Commencement ceremony. Will I have a space in the lineup? Will my name be announced during the ceremony?
Yes, and yes. On Commencement day, go to the graduate lineup in the Ice Arena at the appropriate time and present your candidate lineup ticket for the baccalaureate ceremony for which you registered. You will receive a pencil and a small card with instructions on it to write your name phonetically as it should be pronounced when you walk across stage to be congratulated. The seating marshals will direct you on Commencement day. For details, visit Commencement day.

Please note: Diplomas will not be distributed on Commencement day. The Registrar's Office will mail your diploma to your permanent address once all your degree requirements are completed and confirmed (four to six weeks).

Caps, Gowns, Honors Cord

What is the price of a cap and gown? Should I purchase a gold honors cord?
Purchase your cap and gown in the bookstore. The bachelor's cap, gown, and tassel unit is $39.78 including tax. The special package price for cap, gown, tassel, diploma cover, and 10 announcements is $65.92. (Please note: announcements are not guest tickets.) See bachelor's caps and gowns.

Baccalaureate academic honors/gold honors cord
An honors citation is given to graduating students who have achieved a 3.50 or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA) for all work completed at Buffalo State. Students with a cumulative average of 3.80 to 4.00 will be designated summa cum laude; 3.65 to 3.79 magna cum laude; and 3.50 to 3.64, cum laude. To be considered for an honors citation, a student must complete a minimum of 54 credits at the college. No students with outstanding grades of I, U, X, or N may be considered for honors.

Degree candidates with a GPA of 3.50 and above who have completed a minimum of 54 Buffalo State credit hours may be eligible for academic honors. These students are invited to wear a gold cord at Commencement to signify their academic achievement, and they are recognized in the Commencement program booklet. Academic and Student Affairs will send separate notification to eligible students at their permanent addresses in March. Names will be on an honors eligibility list in the bookstore, where caps, gowns, and gold honors cords ($15.10) are purchased. Only students whose names are on the eligibility list may purchase a gold cord.

Please note: The GPA's taken into consideration for honors recognition at Commencement are final cumulative GPA's for December 2007 graduates, and the December 2007 cumulative GPA for potential May 2008 and August 2008 degree candidates. Your final cumulative GPA-calculated once all degree requirements are met-will be recorded in your transcripts and may be different from that recognized at Commencement. Appropriate honors designations will be noted on diplomas for those who qualify.

Special Needs, Requests

How do I obtain special assistance for myself/my guests?
Please refer to special needs assistance.

Do to religious observances, I/my guests require overnight accommodations within walking distance of the ceremony and reception.
Please refer to religious observance accommodations.

Faculty, Mentors

How do I notify my favorite professors and mentors that I would like them to participate in my graduation ceremony?

Please refer to invite faculty and staff.

Times and Locations

Baccalaureate Ceremonies and Receptions

Date:
Saturday, May 10, 2008

Times:
Morning ceremony, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. The reception immediately follows the ceremony.

Afternoon ceremony, 2:00-4:00 p.m. The reception immediately follows the ceremony.

Locations:
Ceremonies are held in the Buffalo State Sports Arena (in the sports complex). Live video viewing for overflow seating is in the Bulger Communication Center.

Receptions are held in the Campbell Student Union.

See Commencement map (PDF, 457KB).

For more information visit Commencement day.

BACHELOR'S GRADS