Student Information

Registration

Graduating Bouvé students must first apply to graduate through the University before registering for the Bouvé celebration. Once an application to graduate has been submitted, students will be able to register for the College celebrations. More information on how to register for the celebrations will follow.

The BCHS Celebrations will be held at Blackman Auditorium and Matthews Arena.

Cap and Gown

Members of the graduating class, except military personnel in uniform, are required to wear academic regalia to the Bouvé Celebration.

Please remember you need to keep your regalia to attend the University Commencement at Fenway Park on Sunday, May 7, 2023. Refer to the university commencement FAQs website for more information about regalia and commencement activities.

Commencement vs Celebrations

University Graduate and Undergraduate Commencement ceremonies are the university-wide ceremonies at which President confers degrees. Doctor of Philosophy, School of Law, and College of Professional Studies graduates have their names read and cross the stage at their own Commencement ceremonies. Celebrations are recognitions of individual achievement where graduate names are called, and graduates cross the stage. Celebrations are hosted by the college or special interest group.

Refer to the 2023 Celebrations page for more information on the separate college celebrations. Refer to the Commencement page for information on the Fenway park commencement.

Celebration Tickets

Undergraduate & Graduate Ceremony — 5 guest tickets

Clinical and Practice Hooding Ceremony — 5 guest tickets

Fenway Commencement — 6 guest tickets

Nurse Pinning Ceremony — 4 guest tickets

Kindly note that with the exception of infants, everyone will be required to have a ticket to attend our celebrations.

Celebration Ceremony Requirements

Graduates should arrive an hour and a half before their celebration start time. Please arrive on time to ensure you are able to pick up your graduate name card and take your place in the marching lines before the graduate procession.

Graduates who arrive after the start of the Celebration will not be permitted inside the venue.

Please see information below about event etiquette, accommodations and restrictions.

Guest Information

COVID Policies

Prior to the event please be aware of and comply with the university’s policies on COVID-19 Events and Social Gathering. This information is updated regularly.

Directions and Hotels

Dress Code and Items Allowed

There is no formal dress code other than cap and gown (or military uniform) but business casual is recommended.

Also, kindly note that Matthews Arena has strict security guidelines for all major events. Please review the list of prohibited items closely and take note that large bags, and backpacks will not be permitted inside the venue and no storage is available. Other items NOT permitted include strollers.

Tickets

Kindly note that everyone with the exception of infants, will be required to have a ticket to attend our celebrations.

Undergraduate & Graduate Ceremony — 5 guest tickets

Clinical and Practice Hooding Ceremony — 5 guest tickets

Fenway Commencement — 6 guest tickets

Nurse Pinning Ceremony — 4 guest tickets

Special Needs or Accommodations

Closed captioning will be provided both during the live event and the livestream. Matthews Arena is handicap accessible and designated seating for guests with wheelchairs is available.

Celebration Etiquette

Event Etiquette

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start of the celebration so that you may be shown to your seats.

To respect all our graduates, we ask that all graduates and guests remain in their seats throughout the entire event. At the end of the celebration, graduates and the administration will exit first. Guests will exit after the recessional ends.

Guests can take photos from their seats but will not be permitted in the aisle or stage areas. A professional photographer will be near the stage to take photographs of all graduates.

Alcohol is not permitted. Ushers will be present to seize any alcohol and to prohibit any graduate who may have already consumed alcohol from participating in the event. Cell phones and pagers should be turned off or operate in silent mode during the event.

Professional Photography

Grad Images is the official photographer for our celebrations. They will be located near the stage area. Proofs will be available to view online and can be ordered online, by phone, or by mail.

Live Streaming

The event will be live streamed. More information about the live streaming of Bouvé’s celebration events will follow.

Safety and Event Security

Individuals with mobility issues may use the elevator located inside the main Matthews Arena entrance. Guests who use wheelchairs are to be accompanied by no more than one escort and will be directed to these areas by facility personnel. Wheelchairs are not available at the venue.

Note: All guests and students will be subject to search, at the discretion of Northeastern University, of their person and/or possessions (including handbags of normal size, which may be allowed entry after such search). Due to arena policy, NO backpacks are allowed and the maximum bag size is 12x12x12 in. Please review the complete list of arena policies and prohibited articles. Prohibited items (which includes strollers) will be turned away at the entrances and no storage will be provided for such items. Enforcement will be without exception.