Convocation
Convocation is a time-honoured tradition filled with ceremonial elements, inspiring speeches and the conferral of degrees.
What to expect at convocation
About the ceremonies
Overview of what happens before, during and after the ceremony.
Schedule
Ceremony schedule by faculty with department details.
Proceedings
The sequence of events at the ceremonies.
Venue and accessibility
Convocation takes place at Place des Arts in downtown Montreal.
The deadline to register to attend convocation is 5pm EST on May 19, 2024. There is no cost to participate. Graduates wanting to participate in a convocation ceremony must attend the one offered at the time of their graduation. Deferrals to future ceremonies are not possible.
Please ensure you register with your preferred email as it appears in your Student Hub.
Modes of communication
All communications regarding convocation will be sent to your preferred email address – the address where you receive emails from the university. Other email addresses on file will not function. Monitor your inbox (and spam folder) for emails regarding registration, gown distribution, acquiring guest tickets, and additional pertinent information.
Legal and preferred name
At convocation, your preferred name as on record, is the name read aloud and displayed on the overhead screen.
Academic regalia
You will pick-up your gown. Concordia's academic regalia includes a gown and in some cases, a hood. Clothing worn underneath the gown will be visible, so graduates are encouraged to dress professionally.
If your degree is a bachelor/baccalaureate, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, or a master/magisteriate, you will pick-up your gown and hood at gown distribution.
If your degree is a doctorate, you will reserve a gown when you register for convocation and pick it up at Place des Arts before the ceremony. You will be hooded on stage.
Marshalling card
You will pick-up your personal marshalling card. The marshalling card is a necessary document that contains the date and time of your ceremony, and is used at convocation to place graduates in the correct order at the ceremony.
Graduates are required to keep their marshalling card in-hand until the moment they cross the stage. Graduates will need to present the card multiple times throughout the ceremony.
Guest tickets
Graduates will pick-up guest tickets when they pick up their gown. Graduating students do not require a guest ticket, your marshalling card acts as your ticket.
Each graduate is guaranteed the ability to purchase three (3) guest tickets once registered for convocation. Guest tickets are $15.00 (plus taxes). Any unsold tickets will be made available for purchase between 12:00pm on May 21, 2024 and 11:59pm on May 26, 2024 (Montreal timezone). To accommodate the greatest number of graduates possible, additional tickets may be limited based on availability. The link to purchase tickets will be available on the confirmation email that students will receive once registered.
Sending a proxy to gown distribution
If you are unable to attend gown distribution, you may designate a proxy to pick-up the components on your behalf. The proxy must bring a copy of the Gown Distribution authorization form.
Returning your gown and hood
Graduates will return their gown and hood backstage after the ceremony before leaving Places des Arts.
Those who do not return their gown and hood will be fined by the gown supplier for their full value.
Childcare at Concordia
The Concordia University Student Parents Centre (CUSP) offers convenient babysitting services at a rate of $25/hr per babysitter. CUSP babysitters are well-trained students with ample experience in childcare. Depending on the number of children, you may request multiple babysitters.
CUSP recommendation for babysitter-to-child ratio based on age groups
| Age group | Number of children per babysitter |
|---|---|
| Less than 2 years old | 1 |
| 2 to 4 years old | 2 |
| 5 to 8 years old | 3 |
| Over 8 years old | 4 |
CUSP babysitters can come to your home, or you may opt to make use of the Centre’s facilities and toys. CUSP babysitters may also attend convocation, but graduates need to provide caregivers with a guest ticket.
To book CUSP babysitting services or for more information, contact cusp@concordia.ca or sumaiya.gangat@concordia.ca at least 15 days prior to your convocation ceremony. In your email, specify the date, time, location, the number of children expected and the number of babysitters required.
Accessibility
Graduates with a disability (i.e.: reduced mobility, hearing or visual impairments, etc.) requiring accommodations (i.e.: interpretation, accompaniment, etc.) are asked to email the convocation organizers or contact the Access Centre for Students with Disabilities.
