Prepare for the weather — All ceremonies will take place rain or shine on Taylor Field. There will be no tent for graduates or guests at this outdoor event. Please check the weather forecast on the day of your ceremony and come prepared.
Please check back often as we will continue to update these FAQs as more information becomes available.
Preparing for Commencement
Yes. Each graduating student must register in advance their intention to attend their specific commencement ceremony. This is a firm policy that will be upheld through allocated seating. Registration is now open. Registration closes on Thursday, April 29.
Each graduating student will be able to register up to two (2) guests to attend their commencement ceremony in person. Advance registration of graduates’ guests is required under the State’s guidelines and is non-negotiable.
Students should register their guests when they register themselves for commencement. Registration closes on Thursday, April 29.
Yes - All eligible graduates who have successfully filled out their intent to graduate form and registered themselves and their guests through the University's Commencement registration form are invited to come back to campus for their Commencement ceremony.
All regalia orders must be placed through the Lasell Donahue’s Bookstore.
Online & Ship-to-Home Purchases: The deadline for online orders to be shipped to an address of your choosing is Wednesday, April 21 at 5 p.m. The only option for purchase after this deadline will be in-store purchases.
In-Person Purchases: Regalia will be available starting April 29 for in-person purchases at Donahue's bookstore. If you are not able to purchase your regalia in person, please reach out to the Bookstore at 617-243-2182 or fill out the online contact form and a staff member will assist you.
Donahue's Bookstore
- Hours: Monday-Friday: 9 am-4 pm
- Special Hours (Week of May 10): Monday-Friday, 9 am-7 pm | Saturday, 9 am-6 pm
- Location: Science & Technology Center, main level, 1844 Commonwealth Ave, Newton, MA 02466.
Note: Students may only see an option to order “Class of 2021” regalia. Students should follow instructions on the homepage and write in the notes if they need “Class of 2020” regalia. For an additional fee, all students have the option to add a commemorative tassel or keychain tassel at checkout.
Special cords and medallions are granted to students who have achieved academic success in the following ways. The following cords or medallions will be distributed in person on ceremony days. (Cords and medallions will be mailed in June to students who do not attend their respective ceremonies.)
- Honors Program - Bachelors degree candidates who have successfully completed the honor program components will receive a gold cord to wear during the ceremony.
- Latin Honor Medallions - Bachelors degree candidates with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are awarded Latin honors medallions to wear during the ceremony. Latin honor designations are listed below.
- Cum Laude - GPA of 3.5-3.69 (White Ribbon)
- Magna Cum Laude - GPA of 3.7-3.89 (Blue Ribbon)
- Summa Cum Laude - GPA of 3.9+ (Gold Ribbon)
- Leadership Program - Bachelors degree candidates who have successfully completed the Lasell Leadership program and accompanying coursework will receive a white cord to wear during the ceremony.
- Co-Curricular Excellence Cords - Bachelors and Masters degree candidates who have applied and been approved to receive a Co-Curricular Excellence cord, which symbolizes dedicated involvement and leadership responsibilities in a Lasell organization outside the classroom, will receive a blue and silver cord to wear during the ceremony.
Congratulations on becoming a double Laser! You will be able to participate in the joint graduate degree ceremony on Friday, May 14 for master’s degree candidates from the Classes of 2020 and 2021; in addition, you will also be able to participate in the Class of 2020 undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 15.
You will need to register yourself and your guests for both ceremonies. Since our registration form will only allow you to register for one ceremony, please send an e-mail to president@lasell.edu with all registration information (ceremony selection, first name, last name, and email) for you and your guests for the additional ceremony.
At the moment, testing and vaccination are not required to attend Lasell’s commencement exercises. However, there are regulations in place regarding travel that may impact some of our graduates and guests. We expect all guests to abide by those policies set forth by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
At the Commencement Ceremony
Yes. All attendees (graduates and guests) will be required to show proof of ID when checking in on the day of their specific commencement and guests’ names must match those submitted by each graduate as part of the registration process.
This is not only critical for maintaining appropriate physical distancing and upholding the state’s policy on large gatherings, but also for contact tracing should the need arise to do so. Guests will be seated in “pods” throughout the field. Chairs may not be rearranged at any point so that the event maintains compliance with COVID protocols.
Yes. All graduates and guests must wear face masks throughout the ceremony. For specific information on COVID-19 policies in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, please visit their site.
Given the limited attendees at each event, the University will provide on-campus parking for each of the Commencement events. Details will be forthcoming. Each graduate is encouraged to arrive on campus with their guests to be sure there is adequate parking for everyone.
- Graduates from the Class of 2020 were mailed their diplomas during the summer of 2020.
- Graduates from the Class of 2021 will not receive their actual diplomas at their ceremony. Instead, diplomas will be mailed to students in June of 2021.
Per federal and state COVID-19 guidelines, no food may be brought to or consumed at public gatherings such as commencement.
All commencement ceremonies will take place rain or shine on the dates and times currently listed. We encourage guests to prepare for variations in weather and arrive with umbrellas, ponchos, or other items necessary should it rain that day.
Yes! All commencement ceremonies will be livestreamed. A link will be provided on this page and in other communications to graduates.
