2023 Commencement
The venue was expansive as this year’s School of Public Health and Health Professions’ commencement ceremony took place at UB’s Alumni Arena.
The annual celebration of student success, held this year on May 18, was a festive gathering of graduating students joined by family, friends and others invested in their success. About 380 graduate and undergraduate students strode across the stage during the event. There, they found handshakes, smiles and hugs from the assembled faculty, administration and special guests, along with a piece of parchment naming them newly minted graduates of one of SUNY’s flagship institutions. Look back at photos from this year's ceremony.
Event security
Dear Members of the UB community,
As we approach the end of the academic year and celebrate our graduates’ many accomplishments at UB’s recognition ceremonies and commencements, I want to ensure that our graduates, their families and friends, and our faculty and staff feel safe enjoying these momentous occasions.
As with any large-scale event, UB has put in place security checkpoints for all those attending our recognition ceremonies and commencements. We ask that our graduates and everyone participating in commencement anticipate that gaining entrance into the event venue may take an extra few minutes.
I look forward to celebrating the events leading up to and including commencement weekend with our graduates and their guests.
Satish K. Tripathi
President
COVID-19
Western New York continues to experience a swift rise in COVID-19 rates, due to the spread of the omicron subvariant BA.2 and a general loosening of restrictions.
Though the increase is expected to ease in the coming weeks, UB health and safety officials recommend that visitors to UB and members of the campus community use their best personal judgment in protecting themselves as the semester draws to a close.
Individuals who should be extra cautious when attending commencement ceremonies or graduation parties – this includes the unvaccinated, undervaccinated (not boosted), elderly and immunocompromised, and those who interact with these groups – are strongly encouraged to wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask (e.g., N95, KN95, KF94).
Anyone who feels unwell or experiences symptoms such as sore throat, headache, runny nose, fever, shortness of breath and coughing should stay home and get tested. Anyone testing positive should isolate, according to CDC guidelines.
Please note that while masks are not required at commencement ceremonies for participants or attendees, they are mandatory for passengers aboard UB buses and shuttles, per guidance from the governor and CDC. Complimentary face masks are available to riders upon request.
For those unable to attend in person, degree conferral ceremonies will be available for live stream and post-ceremony viewing.
For more information, visit UB’s Countdown to Commencement website.
Eligibility
Students who have processed Application to Candidacy forms filed for a degree with an expected conferral date of September 2022, February 2023 or June 2023 and who remain in good academic standing may participate in commencement. Those who do not fall into these categories but wish to be considered to participate in the ceremony may file for an exception.
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 Jillian Reading at sphhp-oasa@buffalo.edu
Registration
Register by May 1, 2023
Registration for the commencement ceremony is separate from applying for graduation (degree). If you plan to participate in the commencement ceremony, you must register for it.
*Attention Rehabilitation Science students graduating in 2023: You will need to register twice--once for the SPHHP commencement ceremony and once for your hooding ceremony. These are two separate events, each with its own registration site.
Student Information
Tickets
There is no charge for guests to attend and no limit to the number of guests each student can bring.
Photographer
A photographer will be present at the ceremony to capture individual photos of your big moment!
Latin Honors/Gold Cord
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.
Program book recognition is intended 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 ($12.75) through the University Bookstore on North Campus beginning March 8. At that time, qualifying students may purchase their cord at the store; please bring UB ID. Students will also have the option to contact the University Bookstore (716-636-6291, ext. 12) and make their purchase over the phone; in this case, add $7.99 for home-shipping.
Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities
Students: If you need accommodations to enable you to participate in a commencement ceremony, please include your request when you register for the ceremony. The coordinator of this ceremony will contact you to discuss and finalize your accommodation request. If the coordinator does not contact you at least two weeks before the ceremony, please email sphhp-oasa@buffalo.edu or the Office of Accessibility Resources.
Guests: The university is committed to providing equal access to individuals with disabilities, including physical access to events and reasonable accommodations for members of the university community.
Diplomas
Printed Diploma
The Office of the Registrar will mail a printed diploma, free of charge, to your permanent address approximately four to 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.
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.
Guest Information
Accessibility, directions, parking, and health and safety information can be found on the central Countdown to Commencement website.
Ceremony Contact
Jillian Reading, PhD
Assistant Dean/Director of Student Affairs
416 Kimball
Email: jreading@buffalo.edu