Volunteers

Volunteers

We truly rely on Commencement volunteers to ensure the day’s events run smoothly and the atmosphere is enjoyable for our graduates.

Whether you’re a member of the Binghamton University family, a local community member or an alum, volunteering is a great way to show your support for our graduates’ achievements and to share in the celebration.

We provide free parking, BU logo'd polo and refreshments for volunteers during their shift. 

If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Participation Form, prior to May 1, 2024.

We are looking for people to serve in the following roles:

Disability services: Help guests with physical limitations and/or disabilities. This assignment includes: providing a wheelchair escort to guest seating, directing guests to the elevator and setting up chairs on the concourse for disabled guests.

Faculty services: Help participating faculty locate regalia, straighten hoods, manage check-in procedures and line up faculty for the processional. You will have guidance and assistance from experienced Commencement comittee members.

Greeter: Meet guests as they enter the Events Center, address ticket issues if they arise. Assignments may include monitoring a guest list and escorting VIP guests to reserved seating.

Guest usher: Answer general questions (restrooms, refreshments, etc.); direct guests to available seats.

Program distribution: Distribute event programs to guests as they enter the Events Center. 

Student services: This role is a two-part task: student check-in and student usher.

Student check-in: Distribute name cards to undergraduate students as they arrive for the ceremony; assist with straightening caps, gowns and stoles; and gather graduating students in the check-in area behind the stage.

Student usher: guide graduates into ceremony seating, direct marshals to seating and flag placement and manage the division between guests and graduates.

Volunteer check-in: Serve as the first point of contact for volunteers as they arrive for a shift. This assignment includes managing check-in/check-out, alerting volunteer team leader to no-shows and positions that need to be filled, and using a two-way radio. If assigned to this role, you may be asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to shift start time or to remain 30 minutes after a shift end time.