Law School

Saturday, May 17
3 pm, Center for the Arts

Remember: All undergraduate students, and certain graduate students, must complete and file an Application for Degree Form ("degree card") before February 1, 2008. (Law students do not need to fill out the Graduate School's degree forms. Law students who are graduating with dual degrees (e.g. MBA, MSW) may need to fill out these forms. Check with your other Department or School.) Visit src.buffalo.edu/record/degree.shtml for more information. MD students also do not need to complete the form. Only dual degree MDs (MBA, MPH) may need to fill out these forms. Check with your other department or school. Visit src.buffalo.edu/record/degree.shtml for more information.

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Eligibility

The 2008 Law School Commencement Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2008 in the Center for the Arts. The ceremony will begin promptly at 3 pm in the Mainstage Theater. A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony in the Atrium. Graduating students will need to arrive in the student robing area at 2 pm. Signs will be posted directing you to this area.

Students are eligible if they complete the requirements for the J.D. (Juris Doctor) or L.L.M. (Master of Laws) degree and have diploma conferral dates of February 1, 2008, June 1, 2008 or September 1, 2008. Students will be notified through their Law School mailboxes of their eligibility.

Contact Information

Melinda R. Saran, 645-6223 saran@buffalo.edu

Registration

Students do not need to register to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. If you do not intend to participate, we do appreciate you notifying Kelly Flynn in the Law School’s Office of Student Services, 314 O’Brian Hall.

FAQs

How long is the ceremony? Approximately two and a half hours.

How many tickets am I allowed? Six Tickets – First-come first-serve seating. SEATING BEGINS AT 2:20 pm.

What if I need more than six tickets? Due to the number of graduating students and the capacity limitations in the Mainstage Theater, six tickets is the maximum per student.

When and where do I get my tickets? Tickets will be made available to graduating students in April. Graduating students will receive specific information (in mid-March) on when they can pick up tickets from the Office of Student Services, 314 O’Brian Hall. Picture identification will be required.

Is the Center for the Arts and Mainstage Theater accessible for persons with disabilities and is special seating for persons with disabilities provided? Yes, it is. There will be many ushers on site to help facilitate seating in the special reserved handicapped seating sections.
Important Note: Due to limited seating, only one family member is allowed to sit with the individual requiring handicapped seating. The rest of the family will be asked to take seats in the regular seating sections.

Do we need to make prior requests for handicapped seating? No, once you arrive on site, ask any of the ushers to assist you in being seated.

Where do my guests park? Baird, Jacobs & Slee Lots on Augspurger Road. Signs will be posted and aides will direct traffic (including handicapped parking).

Are individual names announced? Yes.

Where do I first report and when? Drama Theater by 2 pm. Further instructions will be given at that time.

Will students receive further instructions? Instructions will be e-mailed and provided in mailboxes in late April or early May 2008.

How do I order a cap and gown? Through the University Bookstore, located on the North Campus, between February 1 and March 2, 2008. No rental order can be processed after March 2, 2008. For out-of-town orders, call (716) 645-3131. Credit Cards are accepted. See Cap & Gown information section. Dual degree students graduating from both departments should rent the Law Student attire and the hood from the other department.

What do I do if I am a dual or collaborative degree student graduating with both degrees? You must contact your other Department or School to insure that you meet their requirements for degree conferral. You may wear your Juris Doctor robe and tam with the other degree hood for their ceremony (see cap and gown information, above).

I will not complete my degree in May. May I still march in the ceremony? Only if you will graduate September 1, 2008. Your name will be announced, and may be printed in the program under September 1, 2008 graduates.

When will I receive my diploma? We will e-mail graduating students when diplomas are available, usually mid-July for June 1, 2008 degree conferral. Graduates may pick up their diplomas at the Law School Records & Registration or you may call 716-645-2060 to arrange to have your diploma mailed.

Will there be a professional photographer at the Law School Commencement? No. Family members may approach the stage only when graduating students names are called to take pictures.