Commencement

This ceremony is intended and scheduled for the Class of 2025, SEAS undergraduates who have applied for graduation (degree conferral) indicating one of the following graduation terms:

• Summer 2024 (Aug. '24 degree conferral)
• Fall 2024 (Feb. '25 degree conferral)
• Spring 2025 (June '254 degree conferral)

Students should check with their academic advisors to make sure all degree requirements have been met. The printed program lists conferral candidates who are members of the Class of 2025.

Summer 2025 Graduates (Aug. '25 conferral)
Students graduating Summer 2025 are officially a degree candidate for next academic year (Class of 2026). However, if you would prefer to participate in this year's ceremony instead, you can. After you apply for Aug '25 degree conferral you will be able to register for this year's ceremony. Your name will be announced when you cross the stage, but your name will not be included in the printed program. All members of the Class of 2026 will be listed in the program next year.

Candidates for Degrees Conferred Later Than Summer 2025
Please join us for a future ceremony, based on the date of your degree conferral. There are no exceptions.

Combined BS/MBA Degree Candidates
Students are invited to the undergraduate SEAS ceremony, but are permitted to wear their MBA regalia.

Combined BS/MS Degree Candidates Students conferring the BS degree first are eligible to attend this undergraduate commencement ceremony. Students conferring both BS and MS degrees at the same time should participate in their respective graduate ceremony.

Only graduating students may participate in the graduation ceremony, including walking in the processional and crossing the stage. The University will make limited exceptions when a graduating student requires assistance due to a disability. Students needing accommodations to participate in the ceremony should contact seascommencement@buffalo.edu.

Arrival Information

Please arrive to the Edward Wright Practice Facility (room 76, also known as the triple gym) in Alumni Arena an hour prior to your ceremony start time (8 a.m. for the 9 a.m. ceremony, 12 p.m. for the 1 p.m. ceremony). Please enter the arena via the Webster Road (back) entrance. Don't forget your cap, gown, hood and tassel!

Once you've arrived, please follow the steps below:

Step 1: Check in

When you arrive, you will see registration booths marked with sections of the Degree program/alphabet. Please go to the booth that corresponds with your degree program/last name. You will check in and receive a reader card with your name on it. You will hand this to the name readers as you cross the stage. PLEASE DO NOT LOSE IT!

Step 2: Find your department

Now it's time to find your department's seating section. Departments are arranged alphabetically but students can sit wherever they want within their department (no assigned seating!).

Each department has a faculty or staff member assigned as an academic marshal. Your academic marshal can answer any questions you may have and will guide you in lining up for the procession.

Step 3: Relax and have some fun!

Once you finish the other steps, take some time to hang out with your friends and get excited to graduate! There will be several photo booth areas stocked with props provided.

If you do take photos, don't forget to tag them with #UBClassof2025 or submit them via text to PHONE NUMBER TBD so we can share them on our social media as well as the jumbotron in the arena!

Important note

We recommend limiting the items (purses, bags, etc) you bring with you as you will need to hold onto them for the duration of the event.

The two graduate ceremonies are intended and scheduled for the Class of 2025, SEAS graduate students who have applied for graduation (degree conferral) indicating one of the following graduation terms:

• Summer 2024 (Aug. '24 degree conferral)
• Fall 2024 (Feb. '25 degree conferral)
• Spring 2025 (June '25 degree conferral)

Students should check with their academic advisors to make sure all degree requirements have been met. The printed program lists conferral candidates who are members of the Class of 2025. Permission of your major professor and/or department is needed for early participation (summer 2025 graduates). 

Combined BS/MBA Degree Candidates
Students earning a combined BS/MBA are invited to participate in the SEAS undergraduate ceremony.

Combined BS/MS Degree Candidates
Students conferring their MS degree or both BS and MS degrees should participate in the appropriate SEAS graduate ceremony.

Only graduating students may participate in the graduation ceremony, including walking in the processional and crossing the stage. The University will make limited exceptions when a graduating student requires assistance due to a disability. Students needing accommodations to participate in the ceremony should contact seascommencement@buffalo.edu.

Arrival Information

Please arrive to the Edward Wright Practice Facility (room 76, also known as the triple gym) in Alumni Arena an hour prior to your ceremony start time (8 a.m. for the 9 a.m. ceremony, 12 p.m. for the 1 p.m. ceremony). Please enter the arena via the Webster Road (back) entrance. Don't forget your cap, gown, hood and tassel!

Once you've arrived, please follow the steps below:

Step 1: Check in

When you arrive, you will see registration booths marked with sections of the Degree program/alphabet. Please go to the booth that corresponds with your degree program/last name. You will check in and receive a reader card with your name on it. You will hand this to the name readers as you cross the stage. PLEASE DO NOT LOSE IT!

Step 2: Find your department

Now it's time to find your department's seating section. Departments are arranged alphabetically but students can sit wherever they want within their department (no assigned seating!).

Each department has a faculty or staff member assigned as an academic marshal. Your academic marshal can answer any questions you may have and will guide you in lining up for the procession.

Step 3: Relax and have some fun!

Once you finish the other steps, take some time to hang out with your friends and get excited to graduate! There will be several photo booth areas stocked with props provided.

If you do take photos, don't forget to tag them with #UBClassof2025 or submit them via text to PHONE NUMBER TBD so we can share them on our social media as well as the jumbotron in the arena!

Important note

We recommend limiting the items (purses, bags, etc) you bring with you as you will need to hold onto them for the duration of the event.

Registration is required for Class of 2025 graduates who would like to participate in the SEAS Undergraduate Ceremony or one of the SEAS Graduate Ceremonies on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Using the registration site, students will be able to check how your name will appear in the printed program and register for the ceremony. Registration should be completed by May 1. If you miss the deadline, please contact the SEAS Commencement coordinators.

Program Book Name: We will use your Preferred/Chosen name, as it appears in HUB in the printed program as the default. However, you can choose to have your legal name, or the new preferred diploma name printed instead by logging onto the SEAS commencement registration system and following the prompts. You do not need to be participating in the ceremony to change how your name will appear in the printed program. As a reminder, only the Class of 2025 (Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 will have their name in the program this year). Summer 2025 graduates will be listed in the Class of 2026 program next Spring).

Please check how your name will appear by April 3, 2025, to allow us time to print the program.

Graduates participating in commencement wear a cap/tam, gown, hood and tassel. Online ordering of commencement regalia will be available through the Cap and Gown page of UB's Commencement website.

Guests of graduates are permitted at all ceremonies. Tickets are required for all commencement ceremonies.

Undergraduate Student Tickets:  Students who register for the undergraduate commencement can access 5 tickets for the ceremony. Directions on how to reserve tickets are included in the registration confirmation email. Please reserve tickets by May 12, 2025.

Graduate Student Tickets:  Directions on how to reserve tickets are included in the registration confirmation email. Please reserve tickets by May 12, 2025.

Please be aware that latex balloons will be present at the event. If you have a latex allergy, please take appropriate precautions to ensure your safety. We recommend informing the event organizers about your condition and carrying any necessary medications. Event organizers can assist you with reasonable accommodations. Your well-being is our priority, and we want everyone to have a safe experience at the event.

Learn about prohibited items and other security procedures.

Deliberate disruption or prevention of the peaceful and orderly conduct of classes, lectures, events, meetings and other University activities is strictly prohibited.

View parking and directions.

Learn about accessibility accommodations.

Printed Diploma: The Office of the Registrar will mail a printed diploma, free of charge, to your permanent address approximately six weeks after the conferral date. Students are responsible for making address changes; these should be made by the term conferral date to ensure that you receive your diploma.

Update your permanent address

NEW* Electing to use a Preferred Diploma Name: While the University recommends that the name on your diploma matches your official, legal name, you may request a preferred/chosen first and middle name to be printed in lieu of your legal name. Learn more about requesting a preferred/chosen name on your diploma here.

Certified Electronic Diploma: Students who graduated June 2020 and later have the option to purchase a certified electronic diploma (CeDiploma) for $15.95. Notification will be sent to your UB email, from info@credentialtrust.com, approximately 3-6 weeks after your degree conferral date.

Learn more about the CeDiploma

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 4.000=A)

• 3.200 — cum laude
• 3.500 — magna cum laude
• 3.750 — 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 grades of 'P', 'NP', 'S', or 'U'). To receive the Latin honors designation in commencement program books, and to be eligible to wear the honorific gold cord (cum laude, magna and summa) at the time of ceremonies, candidates for the June degree conferral date must qualify based upon their UB cumulative GPA through the winter intersession of that year and projected UB credit hours through the spring semester of that year.

Standings for Latin honors may change once final grades are posted or degrees conferred. This program book recognition is only intended for students who will have their degrees conferred in June or have had their degrees conferred in the previous February or August. The gold cords will be available for purchase ($14.25) through the University Bookstore on North Campus beginning March 10. At that time, qualifying students may purchase their cord at the store; please bring UB ID. Students who are unable to purchase in person may email the store at 0405mgr@follett.com to indicate their interest and provide a call-back number so a store representative may take their order by phone; in this case, add $7.99 for home-shipping.

Grad Images is the exclusive photographer for individual student photos at degree conferral ceremonies. The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences will also capture photos at our department receptions. Check this page after the event for details.