Two lines of faculty marching in academic regalia

Demonstrate Pride in Your Graduates!

Participate in Commencement by marching and/or volunteering at one or more ceremonies to celebrate with your graduates and their families!

Register

Bachelor's, Master's, and Advanced Graduate Certificates candidates participate by school, degree and certificate, and department. Faculty march in the ceremony of their school by department and degree. All are welcome to march in any ceremony.

Marcher Registration

Many volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of duties including graduate lineup and processional, assist with guest seating, distribute programs, take tickets, etc. Your participation as a volunteer is important in providing a successful Commencement day for our graduates and their guests. We value your time and talents and welcome you to volunteer in one or more ceremonies.

Please contact Events Management with any questions regarding volunteering.

Volunteer Registration Form

Ceremony and Check-In Times

9:00 a.m.: School of Education and Applied Professions - Sign in and be ready no later than 8:30 a.m.
1:00 p.m.: School of Arts and Sciences Including Individualized Studies - Sign in and be ready no later than 12:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m.: Master's and Advanced Graduate Certificates - Sign in and be ready no later than 4:30 p.m.

Questions?: See the Academic Affairs web site

Check-In

Location and Times

Check-In at Houston Gym (Robing Room)

Platform party members, marchers (faculty and staff), hooders and volunteers must report to the Houston Gym to sign-in.

  • Park in lot I-39 off Iroquois Road. Enter the building through the main doors across from the softball field. Take the stairs up to the first floor and make a right, Houston Gym will be on your left.
  • The Houston Gym serves as the Robing Room/headquarters for the platform party, marchers, hooders, and volunteers. 
  • Light refreshments and meals will be provided in the Robing Room between ceremonies.
  • The Houston Gym is accessible via elevator and is close to restrooms.

Check-In Times

  • 9:00 a.m. ceremony: Sign in and be ready no later than 8:30 a.m.
  • 1:00 p.m. ceremony: Sign in and be ready no later than 12:30 p.m.
  • 5:00 p.m. ceremony: Sign in and be ready no later than 4:30 p.m.

After Sign-In at Houston Gym

Marchers

  • Put on your regalia and hang any jackets, etc. on the coat racks provided.
  • Proceed to your place in the lineup
  • The faculty marshals will provide marching instructions.
  • The processional will leave the robing room 10 minutes before the ceremony is to begin.
  • A program will be on your chair in the Sports Arena where the ceremony takes place.

Hooders

  • After sign-in at Houston Gym, proceed to the lower level of the Ice Arena.
  • Check in at the Hooders sign-in table to obtain your hooder card.
  • Look for your department sign and position your Master's graduates in their proper place in line.
  • Hooders will receive directions from the seating marshals. 

Volunteers

  • Proceed to your assigned location at the assigned time
  • Please wear your name tag

Points to Remember

  • Please use the designated garment racks (labeled for platform party or fac/staff) located in the Robing Room.
  • Do not leave any valuables in the Robing Room.
  • Do not leave belongings or items, including garment bags, on or near your chair in the lineup area.
  • All marchers are assigned a name card to indicate their place in the lineup.
  • If you are marching in the next ceremony, please note you may be assigned a different place (or seat) in the lineup.
  • You must sign-in at the registration table for each ceremony you attend.
  • Light refreshments and meals are available in the Robing Room throughout the day for your convenience.

Regalia

Rentals

All packages include cap, gown, tassel and hood.

Doctor Package:  $134.41*
Master Package:  $119.18*
Bachelor Package:  $108.31*
*Price includes tax.

Placing Rental Orders

Rental Regalia orders need to be submitted to the bookstore by Friday, April 24th .

For questions, please contact:

Email: kellerm@buffalostate.edu

Phone: (716) 878-5509

Loans

A limited inventory of doctor and master's gowns, master's and doctor hoods, and caps are available for loan through the Academic Affairs Office.

  • Hoods will not match the marcher's discipline or institution where degree earned.
  • Sizes and hood colors are limited, and requests are filled in the order they are received. 
  • For guaranteed colors, marchers should purchase or rent hoods through the bookstore.

Placing Loan Orders

Email: cookca@buffalostate.edu by May 4, 2026, to arrange for regalia loan for commencement. 

Include your ceremony time(s), highest degree earned, and indicate small, medium, large and extra-large.

Honors Accessories for Students

Please Inform Students:
Faculty, staff, and advisers to academic and service programs, honor societies, and scholarship programs who distribute honors cords and other honors accessories, and also advise students in the proper wearing of regalia and accessories at commencement, please review the Policy on Commencement Honors Cords and Accessories.