Commencement FAQs

Ceremonies for the Class of 2025 will be held at Gillette Stadium!

Ceremony dates are as follows:

Thursday, May 15 at 6 p.m.

• Graduate Commencement (Masters/CAGS/EdS Degree Ceremony)

Friday, May 16 at 11 a.m.

• Bachelor's Degree/Undergraduate Ceremony
  • Louis M. Ricciardi College of Business
  • College of Education and Health Sciences
  • Bartlett College of Science and Mathematics
  • College of Humanities and Social Science

• Apply to graduate through the Registrar's Office*  
• Check for holds on your account in InfoBear
• Pay your bill in full
• Purchase cap and gown
• Claim tickets for your guests

  
*If you have already applied to graduate via the Office of the Registrar, you do not need to reapply.  

Continue to monitor your BSU email, Graduation Central and these FAQs for ongoing updates.

• Tickets will be available online beginning on April 1, 2025, through May 8, 2025, at 11:59pm.
• Students will be able to claim up to 15 tickets per eligible graduate in the ticketing system.
• Tickets are complimentary and all guests age 2 and above must have tickets for admission to Gillette Stadium.

Please note: Tickets are claimed by the graduate and distributed at their sole discretion. Commencement tickets are non-transferable. 

The Master's/CAGS/EdS degree ceremony will last approximately 2.5 hours.

The Bachelor’s degree ceremony will last approximately 3.5 hours.

For Graduating Students
Graduating students who will require accommodations in the graduation process must complete an Accessibility Request Form. A staff member from the Student Accessibility Services Office will contact you to discuss the specific accommodation needed (e.g. interpreter services, wheelchair seating, etc.). Questions should be directed to the Student Accessibility Services Office at 508.531.2194 or by emailing sas@bridgew.edu.

Graduates who require accommodations may be requested to meet with staff from the Student Accessibility Services Office and the Commencement Committee prior to the ceremony to review processional and seating arrangements.

For Guests
Bridgewater State University is committed to ensuring all individuals have equal access to its programs, services, and community.

Please refer to the Accessibility information page as it pertains to Commencement Ceremonies at Gillette Stadium.

Each graduate will be professionally photographed by Grad Images, Inc. as he or she receives a diploma and exits the stage. Family and friends are not permitted in the aisles to take photographs. Graduates can visit the Grad Images website and click on Pre-Event Email to register their email address.

The concession stands will be open and have food and beverages available for purchase.

View a list of local restaurants at Patriot Place for a celebratory meal with your graduate.

Commencement will be held at Gillette Stadium rain or shine, except in the instance of extreme weather conditions.  In the case of anticipated inclement weather, graduates and guests can call 508.531.1271 for weather-related information.  An announcement will also be posted on the Commencement web site if necessary.

We encourage both graduates and guests to watch the weather forecast and dress according to the ever-changing New England weather. Keep in mind the stadium is outdoors and graduates and guests will be exposed to the elements.

• Order online on the Oak Hall website starting early spring 2025.
• Purchase in person at the BSU Bookstore starting April 1.

If you have a financial hardship regarding purchasing regalia, please contact undergradcommencement@bridgew.edu.

Order on Oak Hall website: Early Spring 2025

• Order at https://oakhallcg.com/pages/bridgew
• Undergraduate (Bachelors) Kit: cap, gown & tassel by major is $70.00
• Shipping & handling fee is $15.95. Total cost $85.95
• 2 weeks to process order plus 2-3 weeks for shipping  
• Online site closes on April 18 (to avoid late deliveries)
• Please check back for the link to order online.

Purchase in-person at BSU Bookstore: April 1 - May 9 

• Undergraduate cap, gown & tassel is $70.00
• No Shipping & Handling fee
• In-store sales begin on April 1
• The bookstore will sell regalia until the Commencement ceremonies

The BSU bookstore will be set up at Gillette Stadium for last-minute needs such as tassels. BSU merchandise will also be available for purchase by students and guests.

No, tailgating will not be allowed in the parking lots at Gillette stadium prior to or after each ceremony.  Commencement is a formal event and both the Gillette and BSU staffs will need to clear the stadium and parking lots to prepare for the ceremonies.

Room blocks for BSU Commencement guests are being held at the Hilton Garden Inn Foxborough Patriot Place (HGI) and the Renaissance Boston Patriot Place (REN).

• Both hotels are located just steps away from Gillette Stadium at Patriot Place
• No discount code is needed, simply use the links below to reserve rooms at the BSU block rate.
• Hotels have limited availability, and rooms are booked on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The last day to book rooms in the BSU block is Thursday April 17, 2025.
• After this date, all rooms not booked are released for public sale.

Dates included in the BSU Family Room Block:

• Room Block Start Date: Wednesday May 14, 2025
• Room Block End Date: Saturday May 17, 2025

There is no minimum number of nights required to reserve rooms at the block rate.

2025 Hotel Information

Click on the name of the hotel below for a link to the reservation site for the BSU room blocks. 

Book Your Group Rate- Renaissance Boston Patriot Place
28 Patriot Place Foxborough, Massachusetts 02035
BSU Room Block Rate: $259.00 per night plus tax
Limited availability, must be booked by 4/17/25 for block rate
 

Book Your Group Rate- Hilton Garden
27 Patriot Place Foxborough, Massachusetts 02035
BSU Room Block Rate: $259.00 per night plus tax
Limited availability, must be booked by 4/17/25 for block rate

The Commencement Committee will be working hard over the coming weeks to continue to update pertinent information regarding each ceremony, we appreciate your patience.

Please visit the commencement website to find all the up-to-date information pertaining to the ceremonies. Graduates should also visit Graduation Central (BSU login required) for more information.  Updates will be made as guidance is reviewed and information becomes available.     

Bachelor's Degree Ceremonies: University Events can be reached at 508-531-6139 or undergradcommencement@bridgew.edu.

Master's/CAGS/EdS Degree Ceremony: The College of Graduate Studies can be reached at 508.531.1100 or gradcommencement@bridgew.edu.