UB to allow limited guests at commencement

UB has finalized its plans for commencement season. As was previously announced by President Satish K. Tripathi, UB will conduct 17 in-person commencement ceremonies and four recognition and certificate events between April 30 and May 16, with a limited number of guests allowed to attend based on capacity restrictions.

UB’s commencement plans, including protocols for guests, were approved by the New York State and Erie County health departments, and will abide by the graduation guidelines issued on April 12 by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Commencement exercises will take place at two outdoor locations, both on the North Campus: UB Stadium and the Furnas parking lot, located off Lee Road. All ceremonies will be livestreamed.

Requirements will include mandatory mask-wearing, physical distancing and health screening, as well as proof of recent negative COVID-19 test or proof of full vaccination.

Capacity limits

For commencement ceremonies at UB Stadium, graduates will be allotted two to four tickets for guests, depending on the size of the ceremony. The number of guest tickets per graduate for commencement events in the Furnas lot will be determined by each school’s dean, based on participation. Schools will provide additional information about commencement size and ticketing availability.

Commencement season begins with the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences’ MD ceremony, which is set for 1:30 p.m. April 30 at UB Stadium, and will conclude on May 16 with two ceremonies for the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as the School of Law graduation. The full schedule is available on UB’s Countdown to Commencement website.

Attendance requirements

All guests attending a commencement ceremony will need to show their ticket upon entry; graduates will be required to check in at registration.

All attendees must adhere to the following requirements on the day of the commencement ceremony:

• Complete the Daily Health Check that day.
• Bring photo ID and be prepared to show one of the following:      

              o  Negative viral test result (taken within 72 hours for PCR or 6 hours for antigen).

              o   Proof of full vaccination (at least 14 days after final dose).

              o   Proof of full recovery from COVID-19 within the past 90 days.

• Wear a face covering over nose and mouth.
• Maintain a minimum six feet of physical distance.

Commencement schedule

April 30

Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences MDs, 1:30 p.m., UB Stadium.

May 7

School of Dental Medicine, 3 p.m., UB Stadium.

May 14

School of Nursing, 9 a.m., Furnas lot.

Graduate School of Education, 9 a.m., UB Stadium.

School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (Graduate), 1 p.m., UB Stadium.

School of Architecture and Planning: 5 p.m., Furnas lot.

School of Management (Graduate), 5 p.m., UB Stadium.

May 15

School of Social Work, 9 a.m., Furnas lot.

School of Management (Undergraduate), 9 a.m., UB Stadium.

School of Public Health and Health Professions, 1 p.m., Furnas lot.

School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (Undergraduate), 2 p.m., UB Stadium.

School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5 p.m., Furnas lot.

College of Arts and Sciences (Graduate), 6 p.m., UB Stadium.

May 16

Biomedical Sciences (graduate and undergraduate, including Roswell), 9:30 a.m., Furnas lot.

College of Arts and Sciences (undergraduate arts, natural sciences and math, and interdisciplinary programs), 9:30 a.m., UB Stadium.

College of Arts and Sciences (undergraduate, humanities and social sciences), 3 p.m., UB Stadium.

School of Law, 3 p.m., Furnas lot.

University-wide recognition and certificate ceremonies

April 28

Veteran and Military Recognition, 3 p.m., Furnas lot.                           

May 7

Lavender (LGBTQ) Ceremony, 3 p.m., TBD.                           

May 13         

ALANA (African, Latino, Asian and Native American) Celebration of Achievement, 2 p.m., Furnas lot.                                        

May 13

University Honors College (by invitation only), 6 p.m., Furnas lot.