Commencement FAQs

Please email degreeprogress@boisestate.edu.

Yes! To ensure that you have a seat at commencement, you will need to RSVP.

After applying for graduation all eligible graduates will receive an email to RSVP to participate in the commencement ceremony. You will not be registered to participate in the ceremony automatically.

If you plan to participate, be sure to RSVP by the deadline: Friday, April 25, 2025.

No, guest seating for the ceremony will be general admission on a first-come, first-served basis. No advance ticket reservations will be required. If you have a split group they can enter from different entrances and sit wherever they like.

In an effort for all graduates to bring guests, we kindly ask graduates to limit their guests to 10 or fewer.

Undergraduate and Graduate students:

No, students are asked to check in at Bronco Gym on May 10 at their corresponding college ceremony time.

• Morning ceremony check-in: between 7-8 a.m. 
• Afternoon ceremony check-in: between 12-1 p.m.
• Evening ceremony check-in: between 5-6 p.m.

After checking in at the Bronco Gym, all graduates will pre-stage in the Auxiliary Gym and wait for further processional instructions.

Doctoral Students:

There will be a mandatory rehearsal to attend for doctoral students and their faculty hooders. Please refer to your email from the Graduate College for additional details.

Boise State University has some iconic landmarks where you can take commemorative graduation photos! Currently the B plaza is under construction, but check out this map overlay for other campus photo opportunities and don’t forget to join us for the Graduation Open House on the Blue May 9 from 3-6 p.m. to take photos on the blue.

For graduates, bags of any kind are not permitted in the arena. Walk-through magnetometers will be used to screen all students entering the stadium. Phones, wallets, keys, etc. must be on you at all times during the ceremony. There will not be a secure location for any bags or items to be held during the ceremony.

Bags and/or purses bigger than 11″ x 17″ are not permitted. Backpacks, regardless of size, are not allowed. Exceptions may be made (but are not guaranteed) for bags necessary for medical or children’s needs.

For the full list of permitted/prohibited items click here.

No, students can sit wherever they want within their college or school’s designated area.

Bronco Lane accessed through University Dr. will be open for student drop off prior to the ceremony.

Parking is free all day Saturday, May 10. This includes all general and reserved parking lots, pay lots, and parking garages on campus.

For full guest parking, please visit the Guest Information page.

Each ceremony will last approximately 2 hours.

Graduates will need to remain seated for the entire duration of the ceremony.

Yes, all ceremonies will stream live on the commencement main page for off-campus guests who cannot be in attendance.

Seating for guests with accessible needs and guests in wheelchairs is available on all levels of the arena. Accessible seating information is available at the ExtraMile Arena Box Office, by calling 208-426-1766, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Elevators are located in the lobby of entrances 1 or 2 of the ExtraMile Arena. Guests who are unable to walk a long distance may be dropped off in front of the Arena.

For accommodation details please visit the Special Accommodations page.

No, students are asked to check-in at the Bronco Gym on May 10 at their corresponding college ceremony time.

• Morning ceremony check-in between 7-8 a.m. 
• Afternoon ceremony check-in between 12-1 p.m.
• Evening ceremony check-in between 5-6 p.m.

After checking in at the Bronco Gym, all graduates will pre-stage in the Auxiliary Gym and wait for further processional instructions.

Yes, commencement regalia, commonly called cap and gown, is required when participating in Boise State University commencement ceremonies. Bachelor and Masters regalia can be purchased year-round at the Bronco Shop and online, subject to inventory availability. However, to guarantee a complete package, purchase cut off dates are assigned. Please view the product page for your regalia for cutoff details. The Bronco Shop cannot guarantee inventory availability for purchases made within 7 days of commencement.

Graduates are invited and encouraged to attend the Grad Fair on March 4 and 5 at the Bronco Shop in the Student Union Building to get all their regalia needs.

Yes!

We will have a table at check in on the day of the ceremony located in the Bronco Gym where the name readers will be stationed for you to get your name checked and make sure they feel comfortable with pronouncing it correctly.

If your name has ever been mispronounced we encourage you to visit the name reader table or email commencement@boisestate.edu in advance for additional tips.

The Bronco Shop can provide qualifying graduates with their honor cords. They will verify your honors status upon ordering.

Yes, due to a record number of graduates, we will be doing three ceremonies this year.

9 am Ceremony

9 a.m. ceremony for graduates from the following colleges:

• College of Business and Economics
• College of Engineering

2 pm Ceremony

2 p.m. ceremony for graduates from the following colleges:

• College of Health Sciences
• College of Education
• School of Public Service

7 pm Ceremony

7 p.m. ceremony for graduates from the following colleges:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Innovation and Design

Yes, all graduating students are invited to participate in the ceremony with their college. For example, if you are receiving a Master’s of Education or Doctorate of Education you will participate in the ceremony with the College of Education.

Yes, diploma covers will be distributed to all attending graduates during the ceremony.

Diplomas are mailed approximately six weeks after graduation to the mailing address listed on your myBoiseState account. More information about diplomas.

Your RSVP to attend any ceremony will not be removed once your registration is submitted.

Yes, students must apply to graduate regardless of participation in the ceremony. Information on applying to graduate can be found on the Graduation Process webpage.

Graduation: the process of being awarded a degree after completion of credit hours and other degree requirements.

Commencement: the congratulatory ceremony in which students are publicly and formally recognized.

• Undergraduate students: Wear your tassel on the right side as you arrive. You will move your tassel to the left at the end of the ceremony.
• Graduate students: wear your tassel on the left side from the beginning.

We are no longer accepting appeals to walk early in the spring 2025 commencement ceremony. Please stay tuned for information and instructions to apply to walk in the winter 2025 ceremony.

We are no longer accepting appeals to postpone until winter 2025 commencement ceremony.