Buffalo State University

Directory of Policy Statements

Policy Number:    I:21:00                 Date:  May 2021

Subject:   Commencement

Commencement is a ceremony to acknowledge and celebrate student degree completion. The intent of the following is to provide consistent and clear definitions and information for the Buffalo State community regarding Commencement and to support students’ successful progress toward graduation. This policy clarifies differences between Commencement and graduation and serves as a resource in developing and updating administrative policies and procedures that identify eligible candidates and support the planning and execution of the annual Commencement ceremonies.

Participation in the Commencement ceremony does not necessarily constitute graduation. Commencement is the public celebration of that accomplishment, but it is a ceremony, not the actual graduation itself.

A Commencement Committee, appointed by the college president, is responsible for advising the president, provost, and other appropriate college administrators on matters pertaining to Commencement. The Registrar’s Office is responsible and maintains undergraduate and graduate student academic records (which are used to determine eligibility). Commencement procedures and protocol are outlined and executed by administrative offices including Academic Affairs, Events Management, Information Technology, the Graduate School, and the Registrar’s Office.

Definitions:

  • Graduation: Occurs when the Registrar’s Office or the Graduate Studies Office completes a successful degree audit and awards the degree.
  • Graduation Term: Refers to the academic semester of graduation or degree application for graduation: August (summer), December (fall), January (J-Term), or May (spring).
  • Graduating Class: Includes recent graduates and current degree applicants who are eligible to participate in Commencement according to the Commencement Ceremony Eligibility Policy and academic standing.
  • Commencement: The annual ceremony that honors the current graduating class.
  • Level: Undergraduate or graduate student.

Eligibility
Undergraduate Commencement is for students who graduated in August or December of the previous calendar year or January of the current calendar year, as well as current May bachelor's degree candidates. Undergraduate students who have earned 101 credits will be invited and must accept the invitation in order to participate.

Undergraduate students who have not met the aforementioned eligibility requirements for Commencement but are interested in participating with the current graduating class may Commencement if they have 90 earned credits by the spring degree application deadline. When applying, the student should demonstrate a realistic and achievable plan for completing the remaining required credits for graduation by the end of the following summer session. A committee will review applications for early participation in Commencement and notify students of a decision.

The Graduate School Commencement is for graduate students who graduated in August or December of the previous calendar year or January of the current year, as well as current May and August candidates for master’s degrees, certificates of advanced study, and graduate certificates. Graduate students will be eligible to participate in the current Commencement ceremony when they have achieved the aforementioned graduation or candidacy status.

The degrees recognized during Commencement are as follows:

  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts
  • Bachelor of Music
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Education
  • Master of Arts
  • Master of Music
  • Master of Public Administration
  • Master of Science
  • Master of Science in Education
  • Certificate of Advanced Study
  • Graduate Certificate
     

Buffalo State University Commencement Code of Responsibility
Date Established: February 2020
Categories: Commencement Ceremonies
Responsible Offices: Events 
Management Date Last Revised: May 2025

General Policy 

Commencement is a momentous occasion, a celebration of your hard work and achievements. To ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone, disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. 

Buffalo State University observes a strict no-alcohol or other drugs policy prior to and during the commencement ceremonies. Ceremony participants, graduation candidates, and guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages or other drugs onto the premises or consuming alcoholic beverages during the ceremony.

For everyone's safety and to ensure that all participants enjoy the special occasion of commencement, Buffalo State University expects all present to refrain from any disruptive behavior. In fairness to graduates, guests, faculty, and staff, any person determined by college personnel to be disruptive prior to or during the ceremonies or receptions may be removed from the premises and prohibited from participating further.

All graduates planning to participate in the commencement ceremony must acknowledge by acceptance of tickets that they have read and understand this policy as well as the consequences for violating the policy prior to receiving tickets to commencement. The audience will be reminded prior to the ceremony that any student or guest determined to be disruptive will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.

Note to Degree Candidates

NOTE TO DEGREE CANDIDATES: The Buffalo State Commencement Code of Responsibility applies to all present on commencement day. Graduates eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies agree to abide by the terms of the code when they register for commencement and accept guest tickets, as well as agree to provide their guests with the terms of the code. Graduates are expected to arrive on time with appropriate regalia.

All official commencement and related activities and venues are alcohol-free and drug-free zones unless part of Buffalo State University sanctioned activities.

The graduate lineup e-ticket (by Bengal ID card swipe) permits only the eligible graduate to participate in the ceremony. Only graduates will be permitted to areas reserved for graduates and to cross the stage during the ceremony.

Graduates are not to bring bags or purses larger than the size of a small clutch (4.5” x 6.5” x 2”) of any kind. Graduates and guests are subject to search and any prohibited items will be confiscated. Any special exceptions due to special needs require approval from the Director, Events Management*.

Prohibited Items

The following items are prohibited. This list is non-exhaustive. Similar items not listed are also prohibited. Please leave these items at home or in a vehicle:

  • Coolers, thermoses or other, bottles, cups, cans, or flasks
  • Containers of any kind
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Food of any kind
  • Video cameras, tripods, recording devices, detachable camera lenses over 6" inches, selfie sticks
  • Weapons, displayed or concealed
  • Aerosol and spray cans
  • Mace or pepper spray
  • Animals or emotional support animals (except certified service animals) (leave non- sanctioned animals at home; do not leave in vehicle)
  • Laser lights, strobe lights, or pointers
  • Irritants such as artificial noisemakers, foam darts
  • Fireworks or explosives
  • Inflatables (beach balls, etc.)
  • Flags or flagpoles
  • Unauthorized banners or posters
  • Strollers
  • Roller blades, skateboards, etc.
  • Illegal drugs
  • Masks of any kind
  • Drones

No vaping or smoking is permitted anywhere.

Your cooperation in adhering to these expectations will help us create a memorable and meaningful commencement ceremony for our graduates and their families and friends. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Contact Information 

*Please contact the Events Management Office for any requests for reasonable accommodation for students or guests, including, but not limited to any request to bring an emotional support animal at commence@buffalostate.edu and 716-878-6114. 

Buffalo State University Bachelor's Academic Honors and Gold Honors Cord Policy
Date Established: December 2019
Categories: Graduation, Commencement Ceremonies
Responsible Offices: Academic Affairs, Registrar 
Date Last Revised: December 2019

Policy Summary 
The purpose of this policy is to state eligibility requirements for bachelor’s candidates to wear a gold honors cord at commencement according to the criteria for honors set by the Registrar’s Office and Directory of Policy Statements (DOPS). This policy also distinguishes between earning 
baccalaureate honors upon graduation (degree completion) and achieving honors recognition at the commencement ceremony. For bachelor’s students only. There are no honors designations at the graduate level.
 
Policy 
Members of the graduating class who achieve honors as graduates or degree candidates according to the criteria set by the Registrar’s Office and stated in DOPS may be recognized at the commencement ceremony.

Baccalaureate Academic Honors: An honors designation is awarded to bachelor’s graduates who achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 for all work completed at Buffalo State. Graduates with a cumulative average of 3.8 to 4.0 are designated summa cum laude; 3.65 to 3.79 are magna cum laude; and 3.5 to 3.64 are cum laude. A graduate must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours at Buffalo State with a requisite number of final credits in residence to be considered for the honors designation. The honors designation is noted on the diploma and in the graduate’s transcripts once the Registrar has completed the degree audit and awarded the degree.An honors citation may be noted for spring degree candidates eligible to participate inthe commencement ceremony. Spring degree candidates with a minimum GPA of 3.5 who have completed or have in progress 60 credit hours at Buffalo State during the spring semester may be eligible. A final honors designation will be determined when the Registrar completes the degree audit and awards the degree. Students who have incomplete grades or grades of I, N, X, or U may not be considered for honors designation upon degree conferral nor honors citation at commencement.

Gold Honors Cord: Members of the bachelor’s graduating class who are honors designation graduates or honors citation degree candidates based on their current GPA in their last completed term are invited to wear a gold honors cord at commencement to signify their academic achievement. They are also recognized in the commencement program. Wearing the gold honors cord is not required. There is no honors designation or citation at the graduate level.

Background: This policy is intended to provide students, families, faculty, and staff one specific and convenient location defining baccalaureate academic honors and commencement. This policy concurrently specifies the requirements for both earning baccalaureate honors upon graduation and also eligibility to wear the gold honors cord at commencement and receive an honors notation in the commencement program. It provides clarity where there has been confusion on being recognized at commencement and the final honors designation upon degree completion.

Applicability: Undergraduate students, Registrar’s Office, Academic Affairs Commencement

Definitions:

Honors designation: baccalaureate academic honors earned according to the criteria set by the Registrar for all coursework at Buffalo State University and awarded upon degree completion.
Honors citation: For May bachelor’s degree candidates eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony and having academic honors in progress according to the criteria set by the Registrar’s Office and state in DOPS.

Responsibility:
Registrar’s Office: (designated staff may include registrar, graduation coordinator, diploma coordinator) manage processes to identify honors designation graduates and honors citation degree candidates for the current graduating class.
Academic Affairs: Deputy Director for Commencement utilizes data to inform students who are eligible to wear the gold honors cord at commencement and ensures the appropriate designations are listed in the commencement program.

Procedure
The Academic Affairs Office notifies members of the graduating class who are eligible to wear a gold honors cord at commencement. This is a separate communication from the commencement information mailing that the Academic Affairs Office sends to eligible participants’ permanent addresses in mid-spring semester from the Provost. Academic Affairs will also provide a gold honors cord eligibility list at the point of sale (Bookstore) for caps and gowns.

Related Information

Related Links:

Undergraduate Catalog: Dean’s Honors List/Part-Time Dean’s List

DOPS 1:16:06 Dean’s Honors List
http://bscintra.buffalostate.edu/dops/policysect1/011606.pdf

Contact Information

Regarding Academic Standing

Office Name: Registrar’s Office
Office Address: Moot Hall 210

Phone: 716-878-4811
Fax: 716-878-2419
Website: https://registrar.buffalostate.edu
Email: regofc@buffalostate.edu

Regarding Commencement Ceremonies

Office Name: Academic Affairs Office
Office Address: Cleveland Hall 519

Phone: 716-878-5550
Fax: 716-878-5009
Website: https://commencement.buffalostate.edu/
Email: jacksokj@buffalostate.edu
 

Buffalo State University Commencement Honors Cords and Accessories Policy
Date Established: April 2015
Categories: Commencement Ceremonies
Responsible Offices: Academic Affairs
Date Last Revised: December 2019
 
General Policy 
The Commencement Committee of Buffalo State University supports the wearing of honors cords, medallions, stoles, and insignia at Commencement ceremonies by students who have earned these privileges through achieving academic honors, completing honors programs, as recipients of designated academic scholarship funds, academic unit or departmental honors, military service, induction into the university-recognized honors societies, athletic distinction, or membership in good standing in the university-recognized professional or service organizations, as well as students with an international affiliation.

Specifically:

  • Gold cords: Reserved for students graduating with academic distinction (3.50–4.0 GPA, i.e., the gold honors cord). An eligibility list is provided at the point of sale for student regalia (bookstore) where students may purchase the gold cords. Notification to eligible students is provided by the Academic Affairs Office in March. There is no honors designation for graduate level students.
  • Gold tassels (on mortar boards): Reserved for students graduating from the Muriel A. Howard Honors Program. The Honors Program administers the distribution of the gold tassels.
  • Red/white/blue cord: Reserved to recognize honorably discharged U.S. veteran students, current students serving in the U.S. military (active duty, National Guard, Reserves), and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) students commissioned upon graduation. Veteran’s and military services in the Continuing Professional Studies Office administers the distribution of this cord.
  • Medals: Students winning the President’s Medal will receive the medal during the Commencement ceremony. Students winning the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence will receive their medals in Albany during the spring prior to Commencement and will be honored during the Commencement ceremony. Only these students may wear medals/medallions at Commencement.

Cords and stoles are appropriate Commencement accessories for university-sanctioned academic programs and organizations not mentioned above.* Medals, medallions, and special tassels are reserved for the highest academic honors: President’s Medal, SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, and Muriel A. Howard Honors Program. Cords are specific to academic achievement or honor societies.

*Avoid adopting gold cords (designates baccalaureate honors).

**Programs should consider distributing pins to recognize student success as an alternative to cords and stoles, as a student can then wear pins on various occasions in their professional lives. It is more convenient for graduates to wear multiple pins on their white Buffalo State stole or their gowns at commencement than multiple and competing honors cords and stoles.

Appropriateness

Questions regarding appropriateness of an honors cord or accessory may be directed to Commencement, Academic Affairs Office, CLEV 519, (716) 878-5550 and the Honors Program (honors@buffalostate.edu).

Programs, departments, honors societies, and campus organizations may contact the bookstore for assistance in identifying the appropriate color cord or accessory signifying the specific academic achievement or honor.

Administrative and Financial Support

Funding for honors cords and accessories is the responsibility of the individual student or the sponsoring program, honor society, office, or organization, as deemed appropriate by that program. Any honors program/society, scholarship fund, or recognized student professional or service organization that wishes to incorporate accessories into its program for students to wear during Commencement must administer the process for ordering, distributing, and identify funding sources.

Master's Degree and Certificate of Advanced Study Students

Master’s degree graduates are responsible for purchasing their discipline-appropriate hoods, and certificate of advanced study (C.A.S.) graduates are responsible for purchasing their stoles, typically through the bookstore.

The same policies regarding regalia accessories for bachelor’s graduates pertains to master’s degree and C.A.S. graduates.

Programs and organizations may distribute and award honors certificates, regalia, and accessories during their individual ceremonies and meetings as they choose. The above guidelines identify which honors cords, medals, medallions, and accessories are sanctioned for wearing during the Commencement ceremony.

Contact Information 
Office Name: Academic Affairs Office Office Address: Cleveland Hall 519
Phone: 716-878-5550
Fax: 716-878-5009
Website: https://commencement.buffalostate.edu/
Email: jacksokj@buffalostate.edu