Commencement

You've worked hard to make it through your degree requirements. Now it is your time to shine! Apply to graduate via accessBCC by May 1, 2024. 

Beginning Monday, May 6, you may pick up your cap and gown and a Graduation Information memo at the bookstore on the Fall River campus (C  Building - First Floor). All items must be picked up before Friday, May 17 at 5 p.m. Cap and gown are free to graduates.

Please note the campus pick-up times below.

Attleboro

• Monday, May 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fall River

• Wednesday, May 8 to Friday, May 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monday, May 13 to Wednesday, May 15, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, May 16 and Friday, May 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

New Bedford

• Wednesday, May 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Monday, May 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Taunton

• Tuesday, May 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year’s Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 18. If rain occurs without thunder and lightning, the ceremony will proceed as scheduled. However, please note that post-ceremony outdoor events may be modified or canceled. 

In severe weather such as thunder or lightning, the ceremony may be rescheduled to an alternate date. For 2024, this date is Sunday, May 19.

The college will closely monitor all weather events and will communicate any changes via the college website.

If you aren't already, please be sure to sign up for the BCCalert Emergency Notification System. To opt into BCCalert, simply text keyword BCCalert to 67283.  

American Sign Language interpreters and streamed captioning will be provided at the commencement ceremony.  All graduates access the commencement stage by a wheelchair-accessible ramp. To request specialized seating or other access accommodations for you or your guests, please contact the Office of Disability Services by calling 774.357.2955 or emailing ODSaccess@BristolCC.edu, by May 17, 2024 to discuss the details of this accommodation.

Graduates and their guests are encouraged to park at Bishop Connolly High School, as well as parking lots 1-7 on the Bristol campus. Handicapped parking will also be available in parking lots 8 & 9 on the Bristol campus. Please follow posted signage. Shuttle buses and golf carts will be provided for transport.

Click here for parking map

Please ask your guests to leave large bags and lawn chairs at home. All bags brought to the event are subject to inspection.

The following items will not be allowed at the Commencement ceremony:

• No Balloons or banners (signs) 
• No oversized handbags
• No smoking on campus, including vaping or electronic smoking devices
• No alcoholic beverages
• Service animals only
• No Noise makers or air horns
• No pepper spray/OC/ Mace
• No weapons of any kind, including pocketknives and box cutters
• No vaping or electronic smoking devices

Please plan accordingly for adverse weather conditions. You might also want to bring an umbrella if rain is in the forecast.

Seating for guests is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are asked to go directly to the solar canopy to be seated. Please follow the instructions of the ushers.

The Commencement Ceremony will be simulcast by Fall River Community Media. Fall River Cable subscribers can watch the ceremony live on Channel 95 beginning at 11 a.m. The ceremony will be rebroadcast frequently during the month of June; exact times will be posted on Channel 95. The ceremony will also be streamed live online via Bristol’s website, Facebook and YouTube page.

In order to help you in planning the best way to capture commencement memories in photographs, please be aware of the following:

GradImages^TM is the official commencement photographer. An individual photograph of each graduate will be taken. A proof of the photograph will be emailed to you along with information on ordering copies and enlargements. You may view your photos on their website at gradimages.com.