Frequently Asked Questions

What date are the Questrom Convocation ceremonies?

Friday, May 17, 2024

What are the start times for Questrom Convocation ceremonies?

Undergraduate Program: 1:30 pm

Graduate Programs: 6:00 pm 

How long are the Questrom Convocation ceremonies?

Approximately 2.5 – 3 hours

Where are the Questrom Convocation ceremonies held?

Agganis Arena 

What time and where do students need to arrive for check-in and line-up?

Undergraduate Students: 12:45 pm at the Fitness and Recreation Center Three Court Gym. Please enter via Buick Street.

Graduate Students: 5:00 pm at the Fitness and Recreation Center Three Court Gym. Please enter via Buick Street.

Students who arrive late will not be allowed to process or access the arena floor/stage and will need to sit in the audience.

Is there any chance the Questrom Convocation ceremony dates, times, or location will change?

No. This scheduled is produced centrally by the University and no changes will be made.

What time can invited guests arrive to Agganis Arena for seating?

Undergraduate Program Ceremony: 12:30 pm at Agganis Arena Main Entrance. Please enter via Commonwealth Avenue.

Graduate Programs Ceremony: 5:00 pm at Agganis Arena Main Entrance. Please enter via Commonwealth Avenue.

What do students need to bring to Convocation?

Please bring your cap, gown, tassel, and cords (if applicable). Students not in University-approved regalia will not be allowed to process or access the arena floor/stage.

Graduate students, please bring your hoods as well.

Extra regalia will not be available on the day of Questrom Convocation.

Are students or invited guests allowed to bring a bag to Agganis arena?

Students may not have any bags with them during the ceremony and there is no storage space available for bags.

Guests must follow the bag policies (size, contents, etc.) in place for Agganis Arena. The security staff at the Arena will be screening all bags.

Is there a limit to the number of invited guests per student at the ceremonies or receptions?

No, however, we ask that you please be respectful and remember that all students will be inviting guests.

Do invited guests need to register?

No, guests do not need to register or obtain tickets for Questrom Convocation ceremonies and receptions.

Will student names be called during Questrom Convocation or BU Commencement?

Student names will be called during Questrom Convocation. We will only call names for students who are present in the arena.

Student names are not called during BU Commencement.

Are diplomas handed out at Questrom Convocation or BU Commencement?

All diplomas will be mailed by the University Registrar.

Please visit the Registrar Diploma Order/Mailing Schedule page for instructions on updating your mailing address and for the mailing schedule.

Please note that Questrom cannot provide mailing information or produce/duplicate diplomas.

All questions about diplomas should be sent to diploma@bu.edu.

Will Questrom’s Convocation ceremonies be live streamed?

Yes, a livestream with closed captions will be provided.

CART services will be made available in the arena.

Per University policy, the recording will be removed from the website 1 week following the ceremony and cannot be shared.

Will there be a program provided?

Yes, a program will be provided to guests with both printed and digital content.

Please note that student names are not printed or published per University policy.

Is there a reception?

A reception will follow both Questrom ceremonies in the Fitness and Recreation Center Four Court Gym for all Questrom students, guests, faculty, and staff.

Refreshments will be provided.

How can a student or invited guest request ADA accommodations for the weekend’s events?

Visit the BU Commencement website Disability and Access Services page.

The form will be made available on March 31, 2024 and requests are due by Friday, May 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm.

Where can information on parking and transportation be found?

Visit this page on the BU Commencement website.

How do I know if I am eligible to receive honors cords?

Please review this information on Graduation Honors.

Cords are only provided to students who check-in for the ceremony. We are not able to ship these.

When and where can students get their honors cords?

Honors cords can be picked up the first two days of final exams in the Atrium. 

Where can students find information on regalia ordering and pick-up?

In order to participate in ceremonies during Commencement Weekend, you will need University-approved regalia. Barnes & Noble at Boston University is the approved supplier for caps and gowns to graduates. Bachelor’s and master’s candidates purchase their keepsake regalia sets and doctoral candidates rent theirs.

March 25: Order your cap & gown by March 25 for on campus pickup. (Campus pickup orders will be available beginning May 9 at Barnes & Noble at BU on the second floor)

April 1: Order your cap & gown by April 1. Doctoral Candidates: Cap & gown orders must be placed by April 1. (Doctoral regalia will not be available to order after April 1)

April 15: Bachelor & Master Candidates: Order your cap & gown by April 15 to receive for Commencement Weekend.

Honors cords, for eligible students, will be available the first two days of final exams in the Atrium.

Questions about regalia orders, shipping, and in-store pick-ups at the BU Bookstore should be sent to regalia@bu.edu.

Is there a separate hooding ceremony for PhD students?

No, PhD students will be hooded at the Questrom Convocation Graduate Programs Ceremony.

Where can international students apply for Letter of Invitation on behalf of their families visiting for Convocation?

The application for Letter of Invitation can be found on the ISSOPortal. Domestic students with international family should contact ISSO directly.