Commencement 2020 Status

Dear Students,

We are writing with the latest information we have regarding this year’s graduation event. In BU Today this week, President Brown was quoted as saying that graduation ceremonies are in “flux,” and at last week’s Management Town Meeting he stated a decision regarding Commencement would be made by mid-April. That message has been added to the BU Commencement website.

What that decision will be or what commencement might look like if BU decides to move forward, we don’t know at this time.

Herff Jones, our academic dress supplier at the Barnes & Noble bookstore, will provide a full refund for students who may wish to return their caps & gowns; the BU Graduation Coordinator is talking to the Herff representative and the bookstore manager later today to discuss the return process. We will let you know what we learn.

If BUSSW has a physical graduation ceremony, Dean Delva has indicated that regalia will be optional this year.

As we continue to make arrangements should the ceremony take place, our plan is to send you a student speaker survey shortly. In the survey, you’ll be able to vote on the anonymous paragraphs submitted by student speaker nominees from each campus. The nominee list was generated from the Graduation Survey sent to you in January, in which you nominated potential student speakers.

We know this uncertainty is challenging, but please know we are committed to acknowledging your important achievement in some way.

We will update you with information as we know it and post it on the BUSSW COVID-19 web page. University-wide information will be posted on the Commencement website. For the time being, we really appreciate your patience and understanding.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can assist or clarify any information.

Wishing you safe harbor,

Cate Solomon
BUSSW Graduation Coordinator

Carmen DeCristofaro
BUSSW Graduation Assistant