Commencement 2021
Related Information
- UB's Commencement Announcement
- What to Expect at the Ceremonies
Graduate
Undergraduate
On This Page:
What to Expect at the Ceremonies
The School of Management is pleased to announce that commencement ceremonies for the class of 2021 will be held in person.
Graduate
5 p.m. on Friday, May 14, at UB Stadium, North Campus
Undergraduate
9 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, at UB Stadium, North Campus
Registration Closed
Registration is closed. If you have questions, send an email to mgt-commencement@buffalo.edu.
Health and Safety Guidelines
Visit the UB COVID-19 Commencement page for all health and safety requirements, FAQs and testing deadlines.
Current, graduating UB students may be tested at the following locations:
- Student Union
- Greiner Hall
- Allen Hall
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Guest and Ticket Information
Each student attending commencement in person (either the graduate ceremony at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 14, at UB Stadium—or the undergraduate ceremony at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, at UB Stadium), will receive two guest tickets for their specific in-person ceremony. Ticket distribution details are forthcoming.
Visit the UB Commencement website for information about COVID-related requirements as well as prohibited items.
If you are an international student and would like to invite your parents to the U.S. to celebrate your accomplishments, follow the template on the ISS website. Your guests will need to adhere to all health requirements from the Centers for Disease Control, New York State and the University at Buffalo.
Venue Information
The UB School of Management ceremonies will be held at UB Stadium. Visit the university's UB Stadium guest information page for directions, parking and additional details for the day of the ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have applied for degree conferral in HUB, do I still need to register to participate in the commencement ceremony?
Yes. Applying for graduation in HUB signals to the university that you plan to graduate (i.e., receive your degree). A separate registration is required to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Am I required to attend the commencement ceremony?
No. Participation in the ceremony—either in-person or virtual—is optional.
Can I participate in the ceremony if I am unable to travel to UB?
Yes, as the ceremony will be livestreamed. If you wish to participate virtually, you can still have your name read at the in-person ceremony. Once registration opens, you will be able to select this option.
Do I need to wear a cap and gown for the ceremony?
Yes. All participants must be in full cap and gown. Please refer to UB Bookstore website for more details.
Do I receive my diploma at the ceremony?
No. All UB diplomas are mailed approximately six weeks after the conferral of your degree. See the registrar website for more details.
I am a 2020 graduate, can I attend this year’s ceremony?
No. The university still intends to offer on-campus, in-person celebrations at a later date for the Class of 2020.
Can I invite guests to the ceremony?
The university has not yet determined whether guests will be permitted to attend. A decision whether guests will be allowed to attend the ceremonies will be made at a later date in consultation with the county and state departments of health. Updates regarding guest attendance policies will be updated here as they are available.
Will a professional photographer be present for the in-person ceremony?
Yes, more details to come. Please note, masks must be worn at all times.
How long will the ceremony last?
As the ceremony format is different this year, we can approximate the ceremonies to last two hours.
Will there be a rain location as back up?
No, the ceremonies will be held rain or shine. In the event of thunder and lighting, the ceremony would not be able to continue.
Do I qualify for 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 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.
- 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', 'S' or 'U').
This recognition is only 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 ($12) through the University Bookstore on North Campus beginning March 3. At that time, qualifying students may purchase their cord at the store after showing their UB ID. Students will also have the option to call the University Bookstore at 716-636-6290 ext. 12 to make their purchase over the phone. Shipping will be an additional $7.50.