Commencement FAQ
As you make plans to return to campus for Commencement 2020 the weekend of July 17–19, we realize that parents, students and families will have a lot of questions. This FAQ addresses common questions. For additional information, please call the Commencement Hotline weekdays from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. or email commencement@bucknell.edu.
FAQ
The most up to date Information about Commencement 2020 can be found here on bucknell.edu/commencement. You can also view the calendar of events using the Bucknell App, which you can download for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Yes, please see the Schedule of Events for specific days and times.
Yes, the hotline is generally staffed from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 570-577-1192 for personal assistance.
Students who are eligible to graduate (assuming all degree requirements are completed) and participate in May Commencement will still have May 17, 2020, as their official graduation date on their diploma and transcript. Diplomas will be mailed by early June to the permanent address listed in myBucknell. All students with a graduation date between December 2019 through and including July 2020 are invited to participate in the rescheduled Commencement Ceremony to be held on July 17, 2020.
While it will not be possible to have a full week of activities, the senior class officers are working with the Commencement Committee to be able to host Senior Sunset and a Senior Gift Celebration during Commencement Weekend.
Yes, you may show off your Bucknell spirit with downloadable items such as signs, pennants, food toppers and more.
After completing the Postgraduate Survey, graduates will receive honors medallions, senior gift drive items, rain location tickets and their caps & gowns. Please see the Schedule of Events for specific days and times. Caps & gowns must be picked up by the graduating student only. This cannot be completed by a designee.
If we are unable to have the Ceremony in July, caps and gowns will be mailed out to all graduates by the middle of June.
Yes, for those of you that are unable to join us in July, and have already registered for Commencement Weekend items, refunds will be processed as requested and will be applied to the credit card used during registration. This includes meal tickets as well as on-campus lodging. Please allow three to four weeks for this process to be completed.
Yes, lodging is available in specific residence halls, providing families the convenience of staying on campus with no parking issues. A limited number of rooms with private bathrooms are available only for individuals with disabilities. Pick up keys on the following dates/times on the second floor of the Elaine Langone Center:
Friday Saturday Sunday Noon - 11:30 p.m. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Please note that you do not have to include a request for graduating students. On-campus housing for graduates will be available from July 17-19 at no cost. More information will be available in the near future.
Yes, in addition to the hotels listed at visitcentralpa.org, we have compiled a list of local (within 35 minutes) hotels below that may be helpful to you as you make plans for your visit. Please note that the University does not endorse any of these properties, rather this list has been prepared as a courtesy to our many guests attending Commencement and other related activities.
No, the University prohibits pets and other animals in University housing. Pets are also not permitted in administrative buildings, on KLARC U Lawn during Senior Sunset, or on Malesardi Quadrangle during the Candlelighting Ceremony or Commencement Ceremony.
No, the University does not loan or rent wheelchairs. You may call Dice Surgical and Home Health Care at 570-322-0656 to rent one. Wheelchairs can be picked up at the University Switchboard located on the second floor of the Elaine Langone Center.
Yes, unfortunately, weather in central Pennsylvania is unpredictable. A determination will be made by 6:30 a.m. on Sunday morning if the outdoor Ceremony must be delayed up to two hours or moved indoors to Gerhard Fieldhouse. An announcement will be sent through campus email notification. You may also call 570-577-2020 for updates. Signs will be posted at the entrances to Malesardi Quadrangle and the lobby of the Elaine Langone Center.
Yes, the graduating student will receive five rain tickets with their cap and gown. These tickets will be required if the Ceremony is held indoors in Gerhard Fieldhouse. Tickets are not required on Malesardi Quadrangle, with the exception of specific reserved seating. Other guests may view a live webcast of the Commencement Ceremony indoors at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts, Trout Auditorium in the Vaughan Literature Building and many other designated locations. For a complete list, see signage posted in the Elaine Langone Center or on the Commencement website at bucknell.edu/commencement.
Yes, shuttles will be running on Saturday from 1:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. An accessible shuttle is also available. If you would like to request an accessible shuttle pick-up, please contact the University Switchboard on Commencement day at 570-577-2000, 15 minutes before your requested time.
The Ceremony takes place on Malesardi Quadrangle with seating in the grassy area. Sensible shoes should be worn and dressing in layers is appropriate as the weather can range from chilly in the morning to extreme heat midday.
Yes, call the hotline number at 570-577-1192 to reserve seating in this area. This section is exclusively for wheelchair accommodations and one guest. (See how to access Malesardi Quad below)
As you enter campus, Public Safety officers will direct you to the drop-off area in front of Malesardi Quad on Dent Drive. Staff will be there to assist your guests in exiting the vehicle, providing information on restrooms and answering any other questions you might have. Malesardi Quad can be accessed via an elevator in either Marts or Coleman Halls. The driver of the vehicle can then park the car in one of the many parking lots offering shuttle options.
Yes, an American Sign Language Interpretor will be available by request. Please call the hotline number at 570-577-1192 to request this service.
No, there is ample seating available for all guests. If you are planning to come early to reserve seats, please note that at least one guest must remain to hold seats. Items left unattended will be removed. The Malesardi Quad will not open until 7 a.m.
Yes, inside viewing is available in Trout Auditorium in the Vaughan Literature Building (directly adjacent to the reserved wheelchair section). This nearby location provides a very large high definition video screen in a comfortable climate for guests. Additional live simulcast viewing locations will be available should the Ceremony be held indoors.
Yes, the Bison Snack Bar is open on the ground floor of the Elaine Langone Center from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Limited drinks and snacks are also available for purchase under a tent on the east side of Bertrand Library. Complimentary water and coffee can be found in front of the Library.
Yes, restrooms are available on all floors of Bertrand Library, Coleman Hall, the Vaughan Literature Building and the Elaine Langone Center. Portable restroom facilities will be available on the east and west sides of the Library. All facilities are accessible, with the exception of the portable restrooms.
Yes, there is an area on the west side of Malesardi Quadrangle for guests to take photos as their graduate receives their diploma. Please note a photography team from Island Photography will be at the Ceremony to take a candid photograph of each graduate at the special moment of recognition as well as a portrait style photo as they exit the platform. Feel free to stay seated. Information will be sent out about how to purchase these photos directly from Island Photography. You may also visit islandphoto.com and scroll down to select Graduation Day Photos Pre-Registration.
Yes, for information and a link to the live webcast, visit bucknell.edu/CommencementLive.