Ceremony procedures

Ceremony Do’s and Don’ts for Graduates

• Do be punctual.
• Do remember that the gowns do not close and what you wear will show.
• Do keep your marshalling card with you at all times. You will be asked to present it at several points during the ceremony.
• Do stay for the entire ceremony.
• Do be considerate of the graduate following you on stage by asking your guests to keep their clapping to a minimum.
• Do remember that the Convocation hall does not accept purses, backpacks or other kinds of bags at their coat check.
• Do use the coat check for jackets, coats, sweaters, umbrellas, etc. Show your marshalling card and avoid paying the $3 fee.
• Don’t carry or wear flowers.

Marshalling Process

Graduates are asked to arrive 60 minutes before the ceremony begins. During this time, marshals will place graduates into the correct sequence according to the number on their marshalling cards to ensure that they receive the correct degree on stage. It is important to be punctual and to bring the marshalling card issued at Gown Distribution.

Distribution of Program Booklet

A program booklet describing the ceremony and listing graduates' names will be distributed to graduates and guests before the ceremony.

Ceremony Duration

The duration of a Convocation ceremony is approximately two hours. Out of respect for all graduates, attendees are expected to remain for the entire ceremony. We allow recognition of the moment with clapping. However, we ask that it be kept to a minimum in consideration of the graduate following you on stage.

Graduate Procession

Graduates will enter the Convocation hall in a formal procession (in single file) and will be shown to their seats. This will be done in the following order:

• Doctorate
• Magisteriate/Masters
• Graduate Diploma
• Graduate Certificate
• Baccalaureate/Bachelors

Faculty / Staff / Board of Governors / Senate / Senior Administration Procession

Once graduates are seated, faculty / staff / Board of Governors / Senate / Senior Administration will enter the Convocation hall and take their places on stage.

Conferring of Degrees, Diplomas, and Graduate Certificates

Graduates will be presented en masse by the Provost to the Chancellor. They will direct the graduates as to when to stand and when to sit.

Presentation of Degrees

Marshals will direct the graduates, row by row, to the stage. Once on stage, graduates will be asked to present their marshalling card and say their name to the faculty delegate who will announce their name and degree information. After being introduced, each graduate will:

• Doctor/Doctorate:
  Walk to the Vice-President Research & Graduate Studies and will turn to face the audience while the Vice-President places the appropriate hood on his/her shoulders. The graduate will shake hands with the Vice-President and with the Chancellor and then proceed to the Dean of the faculty to receive his/her diploma. The Registrar will escort the graduate to a seat on the stage.
• Masters/Magisteriate, Graduate Diploma & Certificate:
  Walk across the stage, shake hands with the Dean of Graduate Studies and with the Chancellor and then proceed to the Dean of the faculty to receive his/her diploma. The graduate will return to his/her seat.
• Bachelor/Baccalaureate:
  Walk across the stage to be capped by the President or the Chairman of the Board of Governors. The graduate will then proceed to the Dean of the faculty to receive his/her diploma and will return to his/her seat.

End of the Ceremony

At the end of the Ceremony, the President normally addresses the audience with closing remarks. Graduates and their guests are expected to remain in their seats until all the faculty/staff/Board of Governors/Senate/Senior Administration members have left the stage. Marshals will direct graduates to the exits and to Gown Return.

After the Ceremony

Graduates and their guests are invited to join the University faculty/staff/Board of Governors/Senate/Senior Administration members for a celebratory vin d'honneur in the main lobby of the Convocation hall.

 

Please note that the convocation ceremonies may be taped, filmed, webcast or broadcast. Ceremony dates and times are subject to change without notice.