Frequently Asked Commencement Questions

There is a limited room block available at the Westin Waltham Boston on Third Ave in Waltham. Rooms are $329 per night and and reservations can be made by visiting the this website or calling 781-290-5600. 
 

No tickets are required; graduates may bring unlimited guests.

Note: The Undergraduate ceremony is outdoors on the Football Field and will be held rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, you will be notified within 24 hours. The ceremony will move to the Arena, with each graduate receiving two guest tickets. Additional campus viewing locations will be available.
 

Graduates must petition to graduate with the Registrar’s Office. If you have yet to petition, please contact the Registrar at registrar@bentley.edu.  

There will be an opportunity for graduates to register and provide their name pronunciation in early spring.

There will be an opportunity for graduates to order their regalia in early spring.

Graduates may decorate their caps as they wish. They may also wear stoles or cords to accompany their robes. Those are all organized and ordered through the various groups on campus who decided to wear them.  

If you have earned or will earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree this academic year (i.e. Advanced Standing programs), you are encouraged to order a master’s gown as it is the highest degree earned. 

While support letters and invitations are not required for the visa process, there will be general and personalized invitation options provided in early spring. If you need a status letter which includes your dates of attendance and expected graduation date, please complete this form, and email it to the Registrar's Office at registrar@bentley.edu. 

Support Letter Template from CISS

Bentley University is committed to providing an accessible, equitable and inclusive learning environment. If you or someone you are attending with requires assistance, please complete this form by Friday, May 1.

There will be guides available in early spring.

There will be ceremony maps available closer to the ceremonies.

No tickets are required; graduates may bring unlimited guests.

Note: The Undergraduate ceremony is outdoors on the Football Field and will be held rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, you will be notified within 24 hours. The ceremony will move to the Arena, with each graduate receiving two guest tickets. Additional campus viewing locations will be available.

Graduates and guests may arrive at the following times:

Graduate and PhD Ceremony
Graduates must report to the Football Field by 2:45 p.m.
Guests may enter the Arena as early as 3:00 p.m.

Undergraduate Ceremony
Graduates must report to the Arena by 8:00 a.m.
Guests may enter the Football Field as early as 8:00 a.m.

The ceremonies will be both livestreamed and recorded. The livestream will be accessible on our Commencement webpage and recordings will be available on our Bentley University YouTube Channel a few days after the ceremonies. The ceremonies will also be livestreamed on campus. 

The university will have a professional photographer at the ceremonies and those pictures will be available through Grad Images after the Commencement Ceremony. Photos will be available on the Grad Images website within 5 to 7 days after the ceremony, but should there be any questions, please contact GradImages at 800-261-2576 or ecc.giservice@gradimages.net. Graduates and guests may not bring their own professional photographers. 

General guest parking will be available on main campus. Please plan accordingly and expect traffic.

There will be shuttle stops available at LaCava and Miller to escort guests to South Campus. On Friday for the Graduate and PhD ceremony, shuttles will run from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. On Saturday for the Undergraduate ceremony, shuttles will run from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 

There will be options for grab-and-go food and drink items for purchase. 

Backpacks, large bags, large signs/flags, balloons, air horns, alcohol and umbrellas are not permitted. Guests may bring small bags, but they will be checked upon arrival. In case of rain, ponchos will be available the day of the ceremony. If you notice something suspicious, please contact University Police immediately at 781-891-3131. 

As a reminder, Commencement is a ceremony that recognizes and celebrates graduates’ many years of hard work and sacrifice. For many, it is the culmination of their academic journey to this point in their lives. Out of respect for graduates and their families, many of whom travel long distances to attend, anyone who disrupts commencement will be removed so the ceremony can continue honoring the graduates.

The Commencement speakers will be announced in the spring.

Yes, a light reception for graduates and their guests will follow the ceremony 

Diplomas will be mailed to graduates following the ceremony. Please note it may take approximately seven weeks to receive your diploma depending on your location. For additional questions, contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@bentley.edu.  

If you have a question about yearbooks, please contact yearbook@bentley.edu.  

Students must move out of the dorms on Saturday, May 17 in the afternoon following the Commencement ceremony. If you have additional questions, please contact housing@bentley.edu.