School of Social Work
Saturday, May 10
9 am, 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
Students who have processed application to candidacy forms, filed for degree with an expected conferral date of Feb. 1, June 1, or Sept. 1,2008; and who remain in good academic standing; may participate in commencement.
Contact Information
Barbara A. Rittner, 645-3381 ext. 266 rittner@buffalo.edu
Kathryn Kendall, 645-3381 ext. 230 kkendall@buffalo.edu
Registration
The School of Social Work has no formal registration for students to participate in the ceremony. A rehearsal will be held a few days prior to the ceremony, which will be announced. Graduates must arrive by 8:15 the morning of the ceremony and proceed to the lower level of the Center for the Arts to robe and line up for the procession.
FAQs
How long is the ceremony? About 2 hours with a reception in the CFA atrium to follow.
Does Social Work have its own ceremony? Yes - all programs offered in the SSW graduate together, including the offsite programs and the interdisciplinary degree programs. All programs are recognized separately and every student walks and is hooded separately.
Where do my guests park? Baird & Slee Lots on Augspurger Road. There will be signs directing guests where to park - including disabled parking.
How many tickets am I allowed? Tickets are not required and seating is on a first-come; first-seated basis.
Is the Center for the Arts (CFA) handicapped accessible? Yes. It is important for people with special needs to arrive early enough to facilitate seating. Only one companion can sit in the accessible aisle with the person in a wheelchair.
Do we need to make prior requests for accessible seating? No - arrive early and talk to an usher outside the main stage doorways.
Will there be a professional photographer? Yes. Proofs will be mailed to each student about 1 week after commencement. Family members wishing to take photographs may NOT stand in the aisle before their graduate is on the steps leading to the podium. Family photographers may not clog the aisle and prevent hooded students from returning to their seats. Ushers will clear the aisle if this occurs.
Is the ceremony taped? No.
Where do I report and when? You must be in the robing area by 8:15 the morning of commencement. You cannot leave any personal belongings in the robing area. You must bring your cap & gown. You are expected to line up as soon as you arrive under the number on the wall that matches the number on your card.
Is there a rehearsal? Yes. The time and date will be announced about 2 weeks before commencement. It is important that you attend.
Is there a graduation party? The SSW GSA generally plans a graduation party immediately following rehearsal.
Where do I get my cap, hood, and gown? The University Bookstore has caps, hoods, and gowns. See Cap & Gown information section. JD/MSWs wear the JD robes if they are graduating from Law School that year and are hooded with the MSW hood. Please consider donating your gown to the MSW program after graduation. Many students who could not otherwise attend graduation have done so because of the generosity of students who donate gowns.
May I wear special honors cords or other insignia on my gown? Yes.
I will not complete my degree in May; can I still march in the ceremony? Any student conferred before September 1 following graduation can march in the ceremony. This includes part-time students completing field placement over the summer.
When will I receive my diploma? The Student Response Center mails out diplomas to your permanent address within 6 weeks of commencement or of conferral if you are completing credits before September 1.
Note: Students are responsible for making address changes.
