Don’t be intimidated by all of the events surrounding graduation: here’s what you need to know about BU’s 151st All-University Commencement.

COMMENCEMENT 2024

Commencement 2024: What You Need to Know

Details about parking, transportation, security, and more

Degree requirements completed? Check. Hotel rooms booked? Check. Cap and gown reserved? Uh-oh… Boston University has done this 150 times before, but this year’s All-University Commencement is a first for the Class of 2024 and you don’t want to be caught flat-footed. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions and must-know topics about the big send-off on Sunday, May 19, the Marsh Chapel Baccalaureate earlier that day, and individual school and college convocations. You can find more information on the University’s Commencement website.

Times and places?

Commencement begins on Sunday at 1 pm on Nickerson Field, rain or shine. The guest seating areas open at 11 am. There are no tickets or guest limits for the Commencement or individual school and college convocations. (Tickets may be required for certain Commencement-related celebratory events and activities.) Seating is first-come, first-served. The event will last about two hours. An estimated 20,000 guests are expected to join the approximately 3,700 graduates expected on the field.

Graduates should plan to arrive by 12:15 pm at Harry Agganis Way to reach their designated school or college line-up area so the academic procession onto Nickerson Field can begin on time. Those arriving after 12:30 cannot be guaranteed to walk with their school or college. Latecomers will walk together at the end of the academic procession and sit together as a group on Nickerson. University marshals will not be able to direct latecomers to their proper school or college area.

The interdenominational Baccalaureate service will be held in Marsh Chapel (735 Commonwealth Ave.) at 11 am Sunday and will run approximately an hour. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Both the Baccalaureate service and Commencement will be livestreamed on the Commencement website. Find a listing of times and places for individual BU school and college convocation events, military commissionings, and affinity group graduation events here.

Who gets to march?

Any student who earned a degree in August 2023, January 2024, and May 2024. Most BU schools and colleges permit those who will graduate this August to walk or participate in the All-University Commencement and/or in their school or college convocation; however, some schools, colleges, and programs do not. If you are not sure of your eligibility to participate, you should contact your school or college commencement coordinator.

What am I allowed to bring to the Baccalaureate, Commencement, and convocation ceremonies?

Only small and average-size handbags, purses, and camera bags will be allowed (no large totes, oversized 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. Bomb-detection dogs from the Boston Police Department will sweep specific venues and open areas, including self-check bag storage and checkpoint areas. Graduates and faculty should carry their robes into event venues and then dress in designated lineup areas.

Placards, banners, bullhorns, noise makers, beach balls, alcohol and full-sized flags are not permitted. Visit this website for more information about what isn’t permitted on Nickerson Field.

Will there be special security arrangements in the event of protests connected to the ongoing graduate students’ strike or the Middle East conflict?

“The area of 278 Babcock Street”—New Balance Field—“is the designated location for peaceful protest,” says Robert Lowe, chief of the Boston University Police Department. He adds that any Commencement attendees “who engage in disruptive activity will be provided with a verbal advisement to discontinue their disruption. Attendees who continue to engage in disruptive activity will be removed from the venue and could be subject to administrative sanctions and/or criminal charges. Attendees are encouraged to call (617) 353-2121 to report suspicious activity and/or file a police report.”

“The Boston University Police Department is working closely with local and state police agencies to support security plans for Commencement,” Lowe says. “There will be uniformed and nonuniformed resources assigned to ensure public safety.”

What about parking?

For families and guests who plan to drive to campus, all parking lots and garages will be open and available free of charge throughout the weekend. Any vehicles left overnight should park in Warren Towers Garage. For employees and volunteers who must drive to campus, please use parking facilities east of the BU Bridge, to allow families and guests to park in West Campus lots in the area of Nickerson Field.

On Commencement Sunday, the Langsam Garage will be reserved for pre-authorized guests with accessible parking needs.

All lots throughout BU have accessible parking for those with disabilities. Requests for accessible parking, seating, and individual services were due May 10; every effort will be made to provide accommodations requested after then, but they cannot be guaranteed.

For anyone parking a distance from their destination, Commencement shuttles will be running throughout the day, with signed stops along Comm Ave.

I’ll take public transit, please.

Boston’s MBTA Green Line (B) and 57 bus service will be operating on a normal Sunday schedule. In addition to its regularly scheduled summer weekday and Saturday service, the Boston University Shuttle (the BUS) will offer special Commencement Shuttles from Thursday, May 16, through Sunday, May 19.

What about ridesharing?

Those using rideshare services or being dropped off for the All-University Commencement are asked to instruct their driver to drop them off at 250 Pleasant St., Brookline Mass., in an effort to avoid traffic jams on Commonwealth Avenue. This location is across the street from the Agganis Way entrance to Nickerson Field.

After the ceremony, for those being picked up or those picking up their party, please proceed to Sullivan Tire at 950 Commonwealth Ave. Limited parking will be available, and any cars left unattended will be towed as parking is strictly forbidden in this lot. Please wait with your car until your party crosses the street after Commencement.

Who will I hear and see at the podium?

The Commencement speaker is journalist David Grann (GRS’94), author of the best-selling Killers of the Flower Moon and The Wager, who will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Joining him for honorary degrees: Claudia Goldin, Nobel laureate and Harvard economist, Doctor of Laws; Kenneth Feld (Questrom’70), CEO of Feld Entertainment, Doctor of Humane Letters; and Walter Fluker, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor Emeritus of Ethical Leadership at the School of Theology, Doctor of Laws. Fluker will deliver this year’s Baccalaureate address.

The All-University Commencement’s student speaker is Michael Arellano (CAS’24, GRS’24).

About avoiding that cap-and-gown goof…?

Graduation garb is available for purchase—or rental, for doctoral degree recipients—at the Barnes & Noble at Boston University, 910 Comm Ave. The store will be open extended hours during Commencement weekend for any last-minute needs: 9 am to 8 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 9 am to 7 pm Sunday.