Commencement 2023
It's time to celebrate!
We are pleased to announce that Bristol's 2023 Commencement Ceremony will be held, rain or shine, on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 11 a.m., under the college’s solar canopies at the Bristol Fall River Campus, 777 Elsbree Street.
Additional instructions will be outlined in the Graduation Information memo you will receive when you pick up your cap and gown at the Bookstore.
View Bristol's 56th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 11 a.m. right here on this page, on our Facebook page, or on our YouTube page.
Parking
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.
Campus Safety
Please ask your guests to leave large bags and lawn chairs at home. All bags brought to the event are subject to inspection.
Please make note of the following items that 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
Attire
Please plan accordingly for adverse weather conditions. You might also want to bring an umbrella if rain is in the forecast.
Valedictorian
Each year, the college confers the honor of Valedictorian to a graduating student who demonstrates academic and service excellence. This individual gives the Valedictory address at the Commencement ceremony.
Students who graduated in Fall 2022 and potential graduates for spring 2023 with a GPA of 3.8 or higher have been notified and invited to submit for the honor during the spring semester. The candidate’s Bristol Community College academic record and submission are used to select finalists with the highest-grade point averages. Click here for more information.
Guest Seating
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.
Disability Accommodations
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 19, 2023 to discuss the details of this accommodation.
Degrees/Certificates
You will receive a diploma cover during the commencement ceremony. Degrees and certificates will be mailed to the address you provided on your graduation application and should be received within one month after the ceremony.
If you are a December 2022 graduate, you should have already received your diploma.
Cap and Gown
You may pick up your cap and gown and a Graduation Information memo at the bookstore on the Fall River campus, located outside of C building. They will be available beginning May 10. All items must be picked up before Friday, May 19 at 2 p.m. Please note the pick-up hours below.
- Wednesday, May 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Thursday, May 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Friday, May 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Monday, May 15 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 16, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 17, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Thursday, May 18, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Friday, May 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Commencement Photographs
In order to help you in planning the best way to capture commencement memories in photographs, please be aware of the following:
GradImagesTM 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.
Simulcast
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.
After the ceremony
Come for commencement. Stay for the party! Continue the celebration at Bristol's 2nd Annual LAWN PARTY, immediately following the ceremony. Join us for music, food and family-friendly fun on the lawn outside of J and H buildings. You and your guests are invited.
COVID-19 Protocols
The college will not be requiring proof of vaccination or masks at this time. It is important to note that this may change based on the track of the COVID-19 virus in our community. Please check the commencement web page frequently and be sure to keep your guests informed.