Graduate Attendee Information

Convocation Schedule

Harvard Chan Convocation – Wednesday, May 28, 2025

• 9:00 am: Graduate arrival at the BU Recreation Center
• 10:00 am: Ticketed general admission guest seating opens at Agganis Arena
• 11:00 am: Ceremony begins
• Reception to immediately follow
• Address for BU Rec Center: 915 Commonwealth

Address for BU Rec Center: 915 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
Address for Agganis Arena: 925 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

Convocation Graduate Arrival

Graduating students arrive at 9:00 am. Check-in closes at 10:00 am at the latest.

Graduating students should report to Commonwealth Ave. and Buick St., and enter the FitRec Center through the first door on the left on Buick St. as you look toward the Charles River. There will be a sign.

Bring your printed StagePass and HUID. Be dressed in academic regalia. DO NOT BRING BAGS.

Regalia and Ceremony Guidelines

All graduating students participating in Convocation are required to wear official Harvard regalia. Harvard Chan graduates can accessorize their caps, but we ask that you minimize other regalia decorations. Make sure any decoration on your cap will not obstruct the sightlines of those around you. We ask that you reduce other regalia decorations however, graduates are welcome to wear their own stoles.

Please remember that you cannot bring any signs, flags, or other objects into the Convocation ceremony. Do not bring any objects on stage with you when your degree is conferred. Graduates will need their hands free and should only carry a bag large enough for their ID, phone, and keys—one that will fit under their gown. Because you will be returning to a different seat, you will need to carry your belongings with you when you go on stage. We highly suggest wearing comfortable, closed-toe shoes.

Print Your StagePass (Yes, Print!)

Your StagePass includes a unique QR code that is used to display and read your name at Convocation. If you want your guests to hear your name at the ceremony, you need to print your StagePass! Electronic StagePasses will not be accepted.

Log in to the Ceremony Registration website and select “Print Stage Pass” before you arrive at the BU Agganis Arena. You will need your printed StagePass (not electronic) to cross the stage. Here is a video tutorial on printing your Stage Pass.

Line Up and Procession

When you arrive at the BU Recreation Center, you will enter the line-up room. When it is time to line up, the graduation staff will announce programs to gather and get into alphabetical order.

Your StagePass has a Procession Order number. Ensure your number is between the person in front of you and behind you. Please be aware that the procession is a 10-15 minute walk. Please email convocation@hsph.harvard.edu if you have any mobility limitations and concerns.

Graduating students will process alphabetically in the following order:

• PhD (by department)
• DrPH
• MHCM
• SM (by department)
• MPH

Access Your Convocation Tickets

Log in to the Ceremony Registration website to access your electronic tickets for Harvard Chan Convocation.

When you have logged in, you can enter in emails for each of your guest tickets. Below is what the webpages should look like. Here is a video tutorial on assigning tickets or printing them out.

Reception

The reception begins right after the ceremony ends, at approximately 1:30 p.m. It is in the same space as the graduate student line-up area. Plan to meet your family somewhere outside Agganis and then walk over together.

Commencement Schedule

Harvard Chan Commencement– Thursday, May 29, 2025

Please review the schedules below for Commencement arrival times.

• 6:45 am Guest seating open
• 7:00 am Graduate arrival on Quincy Street, gather inside Sever Quad
• 7:20 am Harvard Chan procession begins
• 9:30 am-12:15pm Morning Exercises
• 12:30 pm GSAS Diploma Awarding Ceremony, Sanders Theatre

Commencement Graduate Arrival

• Look for the Harvard Chan gonfalon on Quincy Street at 7:00 am
• Bring your class item and wear your academic regalia.
• You will receive a lanyard from Harvard Chan staff.
• You must place your HUID in the lanyard to enter the Yard.

The gate near Sever Hall is across from the Harvard Art Museum. Please see below.

Safety, Etiquette, and Advice

No guests or children allowed in the procession

You must wear Harvard’s official regalia to participate in the Convocation and Commencement.

Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking on grass.

Please be prompt.

Graduates may not carry anything with them besides their class items; bags cannot be under regalia.