The Daily Bulletin

President Conway-Turner announced to the graduating Class of 2021 and the Buffalo State community last month that our annual spring Commencement ceremonies will take place virtually on Saturday, May 15. This decision was made to keep our community safe against the continuing threat of COVID-19. Since then, the college’s Commencement Committee and planning teams have focused on presenting meaningful virtual ceremonies for each academic school and developing an in-person component to mark this most momentous occasion. I am happy to announce two important updates and a call for volunteers.

Ceremony Start Times and Links

• School of Arts and Humanities Baccalaureate Ceremony: noon
• School of Education and Individualized Studies Baccalaureate Ceremony: noon
• School of Natural and Social Sciences Baccalaureate Ceremony: noon
• School of the Professions Baccalaureate Ceremony: noon
• Graduate School Ceremony: 2:00 p.m.

Links for each ceremony and an online ceremony program booklet will be posted on the Commencement website on May 15.

Department chairs and program directors who are preparing virtual post-ceremony celebrations, please take note of ceremony start times to aid in your planning. All ceremonies are expected to run for approximately one hour. As a reminder, in-person or on-campus department gatherings are not permitted per current health protocols.

Commencement Stage Walk May 3–7
We have planned a special weeklong in-person event in the Campbell Student Union Plaza designed to recognize this year’s graduating class. During the week of May 3–7, graduates will have an opportunity to walk across a stage set up in the plaza and be photographed in their academic regalia alongside college leadership. In this way, we will be able to honor the requests of graduates to walk across the stage while following safety protocols. A professional photographer will be on hand to capture the moment, with photo package order forms available on site. Off-campus guests, however, are not allowed to participate in the Commencement Stage Walk.

Students interested in participating must register in advance and adhere to on-campus mask and surveillance testing protocols. Please direct students to the Commencement website for details and to register for a time slot.

Call for Volunteers!
What would our Buffalo State Commencement celebrations be without the support of our wonderful Bengal family? Volunteers are needed to make the Commencement Stage Walk event a success. Faculty and staff members who are interested in and comfortable coming to campus are invited to volunteer for one or more shifts throughout the week of May 3.

A variety of volunteer shifts, ranging from 90 to 120 minutes, are available starting at 9:30 a.m. and concluding at 5:30 p.m. (On Tuesday, May 4, the last shift will extend until 6:30 p.m.) Volunteer duties include graduate check-in and photo orders, assisting graduates entering and exiting the stage, and assisting with queuing. Volunteers will receive a confirmation email with their assignments and reporting instructions. Masks, daily symptom checker, and weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing protocols will be in place for all volunteers, event staff, and students to create a safe and fun occasion for all participants.

Faculty and staff volunteers are encouraged to wear their academic regalia or Buffalo State gear to add to the festivities, though it is not required. Academic Affairs is unable to offer regalia loans because of continuing public health concerns.

Please register using the Commencement Stage Walk Volunteer form (log-in required).

Thank you for your continued support of our students and for honoring the graduating Class of 2021!