Commencement Security: What You Need to Know
No backpacks allowed, robes must be carried to all venues
For Commencement, leave your backpack home and keep your robe off until reaching Nickerson Field. Photo by Natasha Moustache
Security procedures for the University’s 143rd Commencement Sunday will follow last year’s, starting with a ban on backpacks and a requirement that graduates carry their robes to Convocation venues and to the main ceremony at Nickerson Field, according to the Boston University Police Department.
“You can expect the same screening. There’ll be no packages allowed,” BUPD Chief Thomas Robbins says.
Security at the annual event has been fortified in the past few years, as a result of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.
This year, for the first time in recent memory, Commencement ceremonies kick off on Thursday, May 12, with the School of Medicine Convocation at 2 p.m. at Agganis Arena.
The University urges faculty and staff attending events to use public transportation because of the anticipated heavy traffic and parking demands. On Thursday, the BU Shuttle (the BUS) will operate on its normal summer schedule, beginning at 7 a.m. and running until 11:25 p.m. (buses will run every 30 minutes). A special Commencement weekend shuttle will run between Kenmore Square and the Track & Tennis Center from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. A Commencement Weekend shuttle routes map is here.
For those choosing to drive, differing parking rules apply for guests and visitors, faculty and staff, and people with disabilities.
Other procedures:
- All students, faculty, staff, volunteers, guests, and vendors will be subject to screening when entering any Commencement weekend venue, possibly with a metal-detecting wand.
- Guests who are not carrying a bag may use an express entrance lane.
- Only small and average-size handbags, purses, and camera bags will be allowed (no large totes, oversize purses, backpacks, large diaper bags, or messenger bags). Bag size is limited to 12″ x 12″ x 6″. All bags will be physically inspected prior to entry.
- No other bags, gift bags, wrapped gifts, packages, briefcases, backpacks, or luggage will be allowed in a Commencement or Convocation venue, including Nickerson Field.
- If guests have packages or bags that are not permitted, they may leave them at a self-check area adjacent to the venue. While this area will be monitored by security, the University will not provide a claim check process and will not be responsible for packages left in a self-check area.
- Graduates and faculty must carry their robes into event venues and then put them on in designated lineup areas.
- Anyone who sees anything suspicious should immediately contact the BUPD at 617-353-2121.
Venues will be staffed by professional safety personnel. Bomb-sniffing dogs from the Boston Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police will check specific venues and open areas, including bag storage and checkpoint areas. As in previous years, the main stage at Nickerson Field will be cleared prior to the start of the Commencement exercises by canine and explosive ordnance disposal specialists.
More information about Commencement can be found here.
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