Undergraduate & Graduate Commencement
This Jacobs School commencement ceremony is for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as students graduating from the Roswell Park Graduate Division.
The livestream will begin 5 minutes prior to the ceremony start time.
An accessible PDF of the commencement program for the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony, including a listing of all graduates in the class of 2021, is available below.
Date & Time
Sunday, May 16, 2021
9:30 a.m.
Outdoor tent on UB North Campus, in the Furnas lot (off Lee Road).
Commencement coordinators will be in touch with details about when to report to the commencement site.
All attendees must :
- Complete the Daily Health Check on the day of commencement.
- Bring photo ID and be prepared to show either:
- Negative viral test result (taken within 72 hours for PCR or 6 hours for antigen).
- Proof of full vaccination (at least 14 days after final dose).
- Proof of full recovery from COVID-19 within the last 90 days.
- Wear a face covering over nose and mouth
- Maintain a minimum six feet of physical distance.
COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Deadlines
To ensure graduating students can meet the 72-hour turnaround time required for participation in each commencement, UB has designated specific hours on the days listed below during which those who are graduating may get tested. These collected samples will be marked as “priority” and receive expedited processing at the lab.
Commencement | Commencement | Testing Date | Commencement Testing Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
Biomedical Sciences (Graduate and Undergraduate including Roswell Park) | Sun, May 16 - 9:30 a.m. | Thu, May 13 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. |
There will be testing sites in the following locations:
- Student Union
- Greiner Hall
- Allen Hall
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Caps/Tams, Gowns, Hoods and Tassels
Graduating students participating in commencement wear academic apparel. Order early to make sure you get the appropriate items on time.
Guest Information
Guests
The University is allowing guests at the commencement ceremony. Due to density resrictions, each graduate will be allowed up to two guests (no exceptions).
More information regarding guest tickets (including how to obtain them) will be forthcoming.
For Your Safety
The following items are prohibited:
Additional safety information is forthcoming. Please check back.
Recognition of Latin Honors
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 4.0=A)
- 3.20 — cum laude
- 3.50 — magna cum laude
- 3.75 — summa cum laude
To receive the Latin honors designation in the printed commencement programs, and to be eligible to wear the honorific gold cord (cum laude, magna and summa) during these 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.
- 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', 'S' or 'U').
This recognition is only intended 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) thru the University Bookstore on North Campus beginning on March 3. 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 (716-636-6290 ext. 12) and make their purchase over the phone; in this case, add $7.50 for home-shipping.
Recognition of Other Honors
Candidates for graduation are also encouraged to wear on their robes any insignia, emblems or pins signifying membership in honorary societies or academic organizations, or special honors received for academic or extracurricular activities.
Individual Names Announced
The name of each graduate participating in this ceremony will be announced.
Eligibility
This ceremony is intended and scheduled only for bachelor’s, master’s and PhD students within the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, as well as students graduating from the Roswell Park Graduate Division, who have applied for graduation (degree) indicating one of the following graduation terms:
- Summer 2020 (Sept. '20 degree conferral)
- Fall 2020 (Feb. '21 degree conferral)
- Spring 2021 (June '21 degree conferral)
Students should check with their advisors to make sure all degree requirements have been met.
This spring’s ceremony is not intended for students whose graduation term is later than this spring. However, if there are extenuating circumstances, please contact Shannon Brown (undergrads) or Beth White (graduate students).
Registration
Registration for the commencement ceremony is separate from applying for graduation (degree).
Registration information coming soon
This page will be updated with registration information when it is available.
Diplomas
Printed Diploma
The Office of the Registrar will mail a printed diploma, free of charge, to your permanent address approximately six to eight 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 also have the option to purchase a certified electronic diploma (CeDiploma) for $15.95. An offer will be sent to your UB email, from info@credentialtrust.com, approximately 3-6 weeks after your degree conferral date.
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 contact the coordinator of the ceremony directly 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.
Please refer to the Accessibility for Guests webpage for additional information.
Ceremony Contacts
Undergraduate
Shannon M. Brown
Assistant Director
Biomedical Undergraduate Education
Graduate
Elizabeth White
Administrative Director for Research and Graduate Education
Office of Research and Graduate Education
955 Main St., Room 6130, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone: (716) 829-3399; Fax: (716) 829-2437
Email: smbs-gradprog@buffalo.edu