Packet Pick-Up Information for SBS & CAS Students

Where & When Is Packet Pick-Up for CAS & SBS Undergraduate and Graduate Students?

• Wednesday, May 1, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. *extended hours*
• Thursday, May 2, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, May 3, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 
• Monday, May 6, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 7, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Please note that Packet Pick-up will NOT be held on Saturday, May 4 or Sunday, May 5.

Packet Pick-up will be held in the Suffolk Bookstore, 120 Tremont Street.

Please use the Tremont Street entrance to enter and exit the Bookstore. You will not need to go through Sargent Hall security, or enter the Sargent Hall lobby.

Assigned Times & What to Bring

Undergraduate Students (May 2024 and September 2024 degree recipients)
You received an email on April 17, 2024 indicating your assigned Packet Pick-up time. In order to facilitate a smooth process and avoid long lines, it is important that you arrive at your assigned time.

Undergraduate Students (September 2023 and January 2024 degree recipients)
You will not be assigned a time and may pick up your packet any time during the hours stated above.

Graduate Students*
You will not be assigned a time and may pick up your packet any time during the hours stated above.

*Please note: this information does not apply to students enrolled in the SBS fully Online Programs (MBA ONL, MHA ONL, MSA ONL, and MSBA ONL). If you are enrolled in one of these programs, you will receive information on how to pick up your packet and regalia from the SBS Grad Programs office. You may contact them at [email protected] for more information.

You must bring the following with you to Packet Pick-up:

• A valid photo ID (Suffolk University student ID or driver's license)
• Confirmation (printed or electronic) of Graduating Student Exit Survey completion      

What If I Can’t Attend Packet Pick-Up?

CAS & SBS Undergraduates
All undergraduate students are expected to pick up their Commencement packets during the posted times. If, for an extenuating reason only, you are unable to attend Packet Pick-up, you must arrange for a classmate, relative, or friend to do so for you. You must provide a signed letter or email that includes your name and ID number authorizing this person to pick up your packet. The letter or email must be submitted at Packet Pick-up. We do not mail Commencement materials.

If you are picking up another student's Commencement packet, you must present a letter or email from that student with their name, ID number, and signature authorizing you to do so.

CAS Graduate Students
If you are unable to attend Packet Pick-up, you must contact Anita Sen by May 7 at [email protected] to arrange an alternate time to pick up your packet on the 12th floor of 73 Tremont.

If you have not picked up your Commencement packet or have not made arrangements to have someone retrieve your packet by May 7, we will assume that you have decided to not attend the College of Arts and Sciences Commencement ceremony. We do not mail Commencement materials.

PhD Students, please note: Students receiving their PhD in Psychology degree should refer to the information sent from their department or email Anita Sen directly.

SBS Graduate Students
If you are unable to attend Packet Pick-up, you must contact Mark DiRocco by May 7 to arrange an alternate time to pick up your packet on the 5th floor of Sargent Hall, 120 Tremont Street, SBS Graduate Programs Office.

If you have not picked up your Commencement packet, or have not made arrangements to have someone retrieve your packet by May 7, we will assume that you have decided to not attend the Sawyer Business School Commencement ceremony. We do not mail Commencement materials.

What to do BEFORE Packet Pickup?

Students MUST receive the following clearances in order to pick up their Commencement packets:

Registrar's Office

Students must be academically cleared for Commencement prior to Packet Pick-up.

Please review the steps below to confirm you are academically cleared:

• If you have applied for May 2024 graduation, review your program evaluation in WebAdvisor. If all your requirements have a status of either Pending (Anticipated Complete) or Complete, you are cleared to pick up your packet.
• If you have applied for September 2024 graduation, review your academic progress report in Workday. If all your requirements have a status of Satisfied or In Progress (with nothing listed in the Remaining column), you are cleared to pick up your packet.
• If your status is In Progress, you must contact the University Registrar's Office at [email protected] before your assigned Packet Pick-up time.

Students completing degree requirements over the summer must be officially registered for the required courses during Summer 2024 prior to packet pickup.  

Contact your advisor, program director, or academic dean if your program evaluation indicates any requirement as In Progress for guidance on possible options to satisfy the requirement.

Student Accounts Clearance

Students were contacted by Student Financial Services about their financial exit requirements. You must confirm your tuition account balances have been paid in full on your Self Service Account.

Student Financial Services Clearance

Student loan borrowers must complete an exit interview for each type of loan borrowed at the University.

• Complete Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Exit Counseling 
• Complete Heartland ECSI Exit Interview

Holds

Students must clear all other holds on their accounts. 

What Will I Receive at Packet Pick-Up?

At Packet Pick-up, you will receive several items:

Tickets

Because seating is limited at the Leader Bank Pavilion, students will receive a limited number of guest tickets for Commencement. CAS & SBS students will receive 4 guest tickets for Commencement. Students participating in Commencement do not need a ticket to attend. Children under the age of 3 do not need a ticket. Due to the limited seating capacity, lost tickets cannot be replaced.

Please take only the number of tickets you will need. In the event that additional tickets are available for your ceremony, you may enter a lottery to possibly obtain additional tickets. A QR code will be available for students to scan to enter the lottery at Packet Pick-up. Tickets may not be sold. Students who are suspected of selling Commencement tickets will be referred to the Student Conduct System.

Line-up Cards

You will receive a line-up card with your name, degree*, and any appropriate honors. Do not lose this card. You must bring the card with you to your Commencement ceremony, where it will be used to place you in alphabetical/numerical order within your degree group. It will also be presented to the card reader when you arrive on stage to be recognized. Do not make any changes or additions to it. If you have any concerns about the card, speak to a staff member when you pick up your packet.

*Dual-degree students within the same school must select one degree group with which to walk across the stage. If they have earned degrees from different schools, they may participate in either or both of their schools' ceremonies.

Regalia

Commencement regalia is free for all students participating in the Commencement ceremony. The Commencement packet you receive serves as a "release" for your regalia. With the Commencement packet and a valid picture ID in hand, you can obtain your cap and gown.

If you ordered your regalia in advance, your cap, gown, and hood will be waiting for you at the Bookstore. If you did not order your regalia in advance, the Bookstore will have caps and gowns available in a variety of sizes. You will need to provide your height and line-up card along with the Commencement packet you receive and a valid picture ID. Questions about regalia may be directed to the Bookstore by email to Chris Petit.

CAS & SBS Undergraduate Students Only

Students in the CAS and SBS Honors Programs will receive honor cords to wear at Commencement.

For the purposes of materials distributed at Packet Pick-up, Latin honors are based upon students' cumulative grade point averages at the end of the fall term. Final academic honors are calculated upon degree conferral. If you have questions about Latin Honors, please email [email protected]. The Graduation Honors policy can be found here. 

Students who have earned Latin honors will be provided with a colored cord representing the honor received:

• Summa Cum Laude - Gold
• Magna Cum Laude - Silver
• Cum Laude – Bronze

What If I am Receiving Two Degrees?

Dual-degree students within the same school must select one degree group with which to walk across the stage. If you have earned degrees from different schools, you may participate in either or both of your schools' ceremonies. Law students will receive information on law packet pick-up separately.

Undergraduate/Graduate dual-degree students may attend their undergraduate ceremony when they complete their undergraduate degree requirements, but they will not receive a degree in May. Their degree is awarded when they complete its graduate portion.

Record Your Commencement Thank You Message

Have someone you want to thank before you cross the Commencement stage? A professor who encouraged you, parents and grandparents who supported you, or friends who have been there along the way? Here’s your chance.

Graduating students are encouraged to stop by the 4th floor of Sawyer on May 1, from 12:00 – 4:00; May 2, from 10:00 – 4:00; and May 6, from 10:00 – 4:00 to record a video thank you message which will be shown during the pre-show of Commencement. A film crew will be set up in the small conference room at the end of the lounge.

No appointment necessary. Just stop by!