Graduation Weekend 2016 What to Do

BU’s 143rd All-University Commencement is this Sunday, May 15, at 1 p.m. at Nickerson Field. Photo by Dave Green

This weekend, more than 20,000 people will arrive on campus to celebrate the Class of 2016. The festivities begin on Thursday and culminate with the 143rd All-University Commencement ceremony on Nickerson Field at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 15.

This year’s riverboat cruises on the Charles River have already sold out, but tickets are still available for the Annual Comedy Night, Celebration 2016 Dinner, and BU Night at the Pops. They can be purchased at the Warren Towers front desk, 700 Commonwealth Ave., on Thursday, May 12, from 3 to 8 p.m., on Friday, May 13, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturday, May 14, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Graduates should pick up their caps and gowns at Barnes & Noble @ BU. Bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates must purchase their caps and gowns; doctoral candidates must rent theirs. All rented doctoral regalia must be returned to the bookstore by Monday, May 23, to avoid late charges. The University will withhold transcripts for any graduate who has not returned rented gear.

Security will be tight at all Commencement events throughout the weekend. The BU Police Department has issued strict guidelines for both graduates and guests. Find more information here.

All BU parking lots and garages will be open and available free of charge all weekend; visit Parking & Transportation Services for details on the recommended lots to use for each weekend event.

The University is urging visitors to use the BU Shuttle (the BUS) or public transportation whenever possible to minimize traffic and demand for parking spaces. The BUS, which runs between the Charles River Campus and the Medical Campus, will operate on its regular summer schedule Thursday through Saturday. Beginning Friday, BU will provide special Commencement shuttle service on the Charles River Campus that will loop from Kenmore Square to the Track & Tennis Center, 100 Ashford St. The Commencement shuttle service will run  from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Find a map of the shuttle route here. Visitors can also take an MBTA Green Line B trolley, which travels along Commonwealth Avenue. Check here for MBTA maps and schedules.

Parking for those with disabilities will be available throughout the weekend for students and guests attending individual school and college Convocations and other Commencement-related events. Any guest who requires a designated accessible parking permit but has not yet requested one can obtain a permit at Parking & Transportation Services (open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at 1019 Commonwealth Ave. A limited number of accessible parking permits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those who require additional assistance but have not yet filled out a Disability Services Accommodations Request form should contact Disability Services at 617-353-3658. Find more information about disability services here. After 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Babcock Street will be closed to general traffic.

Individual school and college Convocations begin on Thursday, May 12, and continue throughout the weekend. Details about the Convocation for each school are on the Commencement website along with contact information for each school’s Convocation coordinators, who are available to answer any questions about a specific ceremony. There are no tickets required to attend the ceremonies.

Thursday, May 12

BU Beach Party

Join Student Activities and the Class Gift Campaign for a free afternoon of live music, games, and great barbecue. We’re talking open-fire-grilled beef brisket with a Southern Comfort glaze and grilled Mediterranean chicken in a garlic herb marinade (vegetarian options will also be available), in addition to salads and corn on the cob. There will be an old-school ice cream truck on hand full of frozen delights and kegs of beer and cider—and the first two drinks are free.

The BU Beach Party is at the BU Beach, behind Marsh Chapel, 735 Commonwealth Ave., from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is free and open only to BU seniors. Eventbrite tickets are required for entry.

Friday, May 13

24th Annual Comedy Night

Kick off your weekend with laughter. A host of comics (names are being kept under wraps to heighten the suspense) will perform at the Annual Comedy Night, which begins at 8 p.m. at the College of General Studies Auditorium, 871 Commonwealth Ave. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at the Warren Towers front desk, 700 Commonwealth Ave.

Saturday, May 14

Celebration 2016 Dinner

Graduates and their families are invited to this special celebratory dinner, featuring a delicious buffet of salads, entrées, sides, and desserts. There will be a cash bar with beer, wine, and premium liquors. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for children under 3 (a ticket is still required for entry). The dinner is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the 808 Events Facility, a distinctive art deco banquet hall at 808 Commonwealth Ave. Tickets can be purchased at Warren Towers, 700 Commonwealth Ave. Those planning to attend BU Night at the Pops will be able to board a free shuttle bus from the venue to Symphony Hall at 7 p.m. (Pops tickets are sold separately, also at the Warren Towers front desk.)

102nd BU Night at the Pops

BU Night at the Pops is one of the University’s oldest—and most popular—Commencement traditions. The world-famous Boston Pops will be led by Keith Lockhart (Hon.’04), celebrating his 21st year as conductor. Tickets range from $25 to $96 per person, depending on seat location, and can be purchased at Warren Towers, 700 Commonwealth Ave. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave. A free shuttle to and from Symphony Hall will begin at 7 p.m. Note: tickets are likely to sell out, so buying them as soon as possible is recommended.

Sunday, May 15

Baccalaureate Service

Carrie Hessler-Radelet (CAS’79), director of the Peace Corps, will deliver this year’s Baccalaureate Address. Dean of Marsh Chapel Robert Allan Hill will lead the interdenominational service, open to all graduates and their families. President Robert A. Brown and Provost Jean Morrison will also participate in the service, which will include music by Marsh Chapel music director Scott Allen Jarrett (CFA’99,’08), the Marsh Chapel Choir, and the Majestic Brass Quintet, one of Boston’s most well-known brass classical ensembles. The service, about 50 minutes long, begins at 11 a.m. at Marsh Chapel, 735 Commonwealth Ave., and will be carried live on WBUR, 90.9 FM, BU’s National Public Radio station. Information about other worship services on campus is available here.

All-University Commencement

The 143rd All-University Commencement ceremony begins at 1 p.m. on Nickerson Field, rain or shine. Tickets are not required for admission and there is no limit to the number of guests. Seats are unreserved and available on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of designated areas for guests with disabilities. The Nickerson Field stands fill quickly, so guests should arrive at the field by noon. Guests and bags will be screened. The ceremony will last approximately two hours.

Speakers and Honorary Degree Recipients

Nina Tassler (CFA’79), former CBS Entertainment chair and a BU trustee, will deliver Boston University’s 143rd Commencement Address and will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

Carrie Hessler-Radelet (CAS’79), director of the Peace Corps, will deliver the Baccalaureate Address and will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws.

All honorary degrees will be presented at the All-University Commencement. The other honorary degree recipients are US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, Doctor of Laws, and Travis Roy (COM’00), motivational speaker and founder of the Travis Roy Foundation, Doctor of Humane Letters.

Commencement Webcast and Broadcast

Those unable to attend the All-University Commencement may watch a live webcast of the entire ceremony, starting at 1 p.m. It will also be broadcast live on WBUR, 90.9 FM.

More information about Commencement can be found on the official Commencement website.

 Jennifer Bates can be reached at jennb7@bu.edu.