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.
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.
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
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.
Check-In
Location and Times
Robing Room (Houston Gym)
- Park in lot I 39 off Iroquois Road. Enter the building through the front of Houston Gym (across from the softball field). Take the stairs up to the first floor and make a right.
- The Houston Gym serves as the Robing Room for marchers, hooders, and volunteers.
- Light refreshments, lunch and dinner are provided in the Robing Room for all ceremonies.
- The Houston Gym is accessible to nearby rest rooms and an elevator.
Signing In
Platform party members, marchers (faculty and staff), hooders and volunteers must report to the Houston Gym to sign-in.
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
Marchers
- Proceed to your place in the lineup, inside the Ice Arena (you will find your name card on a chair).
- Put on your academic garb and hang any jackets, etc. on the coat racks provided.
- The faculty marshal 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
- Hooders must check-in at the registration table on the second floor of the Ice Arena.
- Proceed to the lower level of the Ice Arena.
- Check in at the Hooders sign-in table.
- Look for your department sign and position your students in their proper place (e.g. Bachelor's and Master's graduates)
- Hooders will receive directions from the school marshals.
Points to Remember
- Please use the garment racks located on the far right side of 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 are available throughout the day for your convenience.