BU’s 152nd All-University Commencement will look a little different this year: tickets are mandatory for admission to Nickerson Field for students and their guests.

Commencement 2025

BU Commencement 2025: Everything You Need to Know

Times, places, security, transportation, more

Boston University’s 152nd All-University Commencement, on Sunday, May 18, will mark two firsts. The Class of 2025 will be the first to say farewell to BU under the leadership of President Melissa Gilliam. And for the first time, tickets (which are free) will be required for the Nickerson Field ceremony.

Graduating students registered for digital tickets for themselves and their guests after spring break. While they received four tickets each, they can obtain additional tickets, also free, upon request on the higher education ticketing platform Tassel. Students can log into Tassel at https://bu.tassel.com.  

Graduates who have a change of plans and cannot attend the All-University Commencement should also use Tassel. They are asked to log in and update their details to reflect that they will not be attending. (Don’t worry—the University is flexible: you can change your attendance status back to yes if you need to.)

BU joins numerous other universities in ticketing for Commencement to better monitor the number of graduates and guests attending, while also complying with the capacity restrictions of Nickerson Field. TIckets will not be required for Baccalaureate, individual school and college convocations, and Commencement-related events. 

We have compiled answers to other frequently asked questions about the All-University Commencement, 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 will begin Sunday, May 18, at 1 pm, on Nickerson Field, rain or shine. (Seating for guests, which is first come, first served, opens at 11 am.) The ceremony will last approximately two hours. Graduates should arrive by 12:15 pm at Harry Agganis Way to reach their designated school or college lineup area, allowing the academic procession onto Nickerson Field to 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.

Graduates, you will be asked to show your stage pass QR code when you line up. Please have this on your phone or printed if needed. Screenshots are acceptable. Duplicate stage passes cannot be used, so don’t share your pass with other graduates. 

Please return any tickets you won’t use via the trash can icon on the ticket tile in your Tassel profile. Others may need extra tickets and this will make some available.

The interdenominational Baccalaureate service, lasting approximately an hour, will be held in Marsh Chapel (735 Commonwealth Ave.) at 11 am Sunday. 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.

Graduates and faculty should carry their robes into event venues, and after passing through security, then dress in designated lineup areas.

Who gets to march

Any student who earned a degree in August 2024, January 2025, and May 2025 is invited to participate in this year’s Commencement ceremony. 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 may be brought to the Baccalaureate, Commencement, and convocation ceremonies

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.

Bomb-detection dogs will sweep specific venues and open areas, including self-check bag storage and checkpoint areas. Placards, banners, bullhorns, noisemakers, beach balls, alcohol, and full-sized flags are not permitted. Visit this website for more details about what is not permitted on Nickerson Field.

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. Overnight parkers should use the Warren Towers Garage. Employees and volunteers who must drive to campus on Commencement Sunday should use parking facilities east of the BU Bridge—shuttle bus service will be available to Nickerson Field—as West Campus parking is limited. 

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 9; every effort will be made to provide accommodations requested after then, but they cannot be guaranteed.

If you’re parking a distance from your destination, Commencement shuttles will run throughout the day to ferry you, with signed stops along Comm Ave.

Public transit

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 free service throughout the weekend. 

Ridesharing

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

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

Speakers and honorary degree recipients

The 2025 Commencement speaker, actor Emily Deschanel (CFA’98), will receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree. The other honorary recipients are health and science journalist Sheri Fink, Doctor of Science; Rebeca Martinez (LAW’92), chief justice of the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals and a member of the School of Law Dean’s Advisory Board, Doctor of Laws; photographer Dominic Moulden, who documents Black resilience against racism, Doctor of Humane Letters; and Sheldon Lee Glashow, BU Professor Emeritus of Physics and 1979 Nobel laureate in physics, Doctor of Science.

The Baccalaureate speaker is the Rev. Thomas J. Bickerton, a BU trustee and resident bishop of the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. The student speaker is Jason Wexler (COM’25).

Getting your cap and gown

Graduation garb is available for purchase—or rental, for doctoral degree recipients—at the Boston University Campus Store, 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.