Convocation Information for Students
Important Notices
Notice of Allergy: Due to the risk of latex allergies, guests are strongly discouraged from bringing latex products, including balloons, into the event venue.
Notice of Filming and Photography: When you attend this event, you enter an area where photography, audio, and visual recording may occur. By entering this event’s premises, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction.
Steps to Graduation
Eligible students will be sent an email advising them when graduation application is available. Application for graduation is available at:
UNTIL the 40th class day: WebAdvisor.
AFTER the 40th class day: Fill out the Application For Graduation form and submit via e-mail to undergradconvocation@uoguelph.ca For more information, please visit Graduation Application Instructions.
An acknowledgement email will be sent after the 40th class day and will indicate important timelines to be met by the student, and the date and time of ceremonies.
Application for graduation is available at:
In-person: Graduate Program Services, Level 3, University Centre.
Online: www.uoguelph.ca/graduatestudies/forms.
Please be sure to check the Graduate Calendar for deadlines.
Register for Your Ceremony
Convocation Ceremonies
- Ceremony registration for grads will open on WebAdvisor. Graduating students MUST REGISTER through WebAdvisor to participate in a ceremony.
Graduating in Absentia
If you are a graduate and are unable to attend your convocation you will graduate in absentia. Please find more information regarding diploma pick-up for students graduating in absentia here.
To participate in a future convocation, please contact:
- Undergraduate students: undergradconvocation@uoguelph.ca
- Graduate students: gradconvocation@uoguelph.ca
Preparing for Your Ceremony
Please visit the Schedule page for dates and times of each ceremony. Graduating students must register through WebAdvisor in order to participate in a ceremony.
All ceremonies take place in the Event Centre of the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre (GGAC).
Renting Regalia
- All graduating students are required to wear official University of Guelph academic gowns and hoods at their ceremony which can be rented when registering for their ceremony on WebAdvisor.
- The rental cost is $50 (plus applicable taxes) and can be paid online using VISA credit or debit, Mastercard credit or debit, or American Express, when registering for your ceremony.
- Please direct any questions regarding rental payments to convpay@uoguelph.ca.
Regalia Guidelines
- Pins, sashes, stoles, cords or accessories are not a part of the University’s approved academic regalia and may not be worn over academic regalia during ceremonies. However, they may be worn under your gown and hood during the ceremony and after the ceremony has concluded they can be made visible while celebrating with your guests and peers.
- The University of Guelph’s convocation regalia does not include a hat/cap/mortarboard.
- Attire promoting hate or violence, including racism of any kind will not be permitted.
Indigenous Graduands
The University of Guelph is committed to fostering an inclusive campus and is on a journey towards reconciliation and indigenization.
First Nations, Inuit and Métis graduating graduands, honorees, faculty, staff and platform party members may opt to wear their cultural regalia, in lieu of the academic gown, for convocation ceremonies. Depending on cultural and spiritual protocols, hoods may be carried instead of worn to declare the academic program.
Indigenous graduands who wish to wear their cultural regalia in place of the University’s academic gown and are encouraged to inform organizers ahead of time for awareness at uofgevents@uoguelph.ca.
- Guest tickets are required for all ceremonies.
- Only graduating students may purchase tickets. Upon registering for a ceremony, each student will receive two (2) complimentary tickets and may purchase one (1) additional ticket for $25 (space permitting).
- Approximately two weeks before ceremonies, students will receive an email to indicate whether any further guest tickets (beyond the single purchased ticket) are available to purchase.
- One week before ceremonies, all electronic tickets will be sent to graduates who have completed payment.
- Once tickets have been issued to graduating students (i.e. emailed to registered grads) they are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Graduating students are responsible for sending their tickets to their guests.
- Tickets may be printed or scanned directly from a smartphone. Each ticket has a unique QR and alphanumeric code and may be scanned only once for entry to the ceremony. We strongly advise against purchasing tickets from outside of WebAdvisor, as the University will not be responsible if secondary-market tickets are invalid.
Tickets will not be available for purchase on the day of ceremonies.
A few days before convocation, graduating students will receive an email from NameCoach to record their name for the ceremony, ensuring correct pronunciation.
Please visit Accessibility at Convocation page. If you require accommodations, please contact us.
Update your contact info with the Alumni team to stay informed about alumni news, discounts, benefits, and career resources. Your U of G email expires after a year, so we recommend updating with your personal email if possible. Link here: Update Your Alumni Info
Day of Ceremony
- Photo ID: Bring your University of Guelph Student ID or government-issued photo ID for check-in at the West Gym.
- Guest Tickets: Ensure your guests have electronic copies of their tickets. Tickets are issued through Hospitality Services to graduating students who have registered for a ceremony and completed their regalia and guest ticket payment. Guest tickets will have been emailed to all registered grads’ U of G email accounts approximately one week prior to their ceremony. Tickets will not be available for purchase on the day of your ceremony.
- Personal Belongings: Graduands may NOT carry any articles in their arms including purses, flowers, coats, phones, flags, signs etc. during your ceremony. Small cross-body bags or purses that can be worn under your convocation gown may be permitted, however, we advise leaving all personal belongings, unless medically necessary, with your guests or leave them in your vehicle before you enter the West Gym for check-in. The University does not accept responsibility for articles lost, stolen or removed in error from the venue.
What to Wear
- We suggest wearing business or business-casual attire under your academic robes. Regalia can be warm, please dress accordingly.
- We strongly recommend graduands wear comfortable footwear as you will be standing and walking for a considerable amount of time leading up to and during the ceremony.
- Graduands may NOT carry any articles in their arms including purses, flowers, coats, phones, flags, signs etc. during your ceremony. Small cross-body bags or purses that can be worn under your convocation gown may be permitted, however, we advise leaving all personal belongings, unless medically necessary, with your guests or leave them in your vehicle before you enter the West Gym for check-in.
- The University does not accept responsibility for articles lost, stolen or removed in error from the venue.
Where to Go
- All ceremonies take place in the Event Centre of the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre (GGAC). Event staff will be present to ensure you find your way.
- One hour before ceremony starts, all graduands must check in at the West Gym of the WF Mitchell Athletics Centre to pick up their gown, name card and hood.
- 30 minutes before your ceremony starts, the lining up process will begin. Graduands will then process from the West Gym to the GGAC Event Centre.
- Ceremonies will last approximately 90 minutes.
- Immediately following each ceremony, graduating students will be processed to the Gryphon Fieldhouse for the Convocation Tea. Guests will be dismissed shortly after the graduates have left the ceremony venue.
Convocation is a time for celebration, it’s an opportunity to honour your success and achievements with faculty, peers, and family. But this event is a shared experience, how you act and behave impacts others.
We ask that you help create a positive atmosphere by choosing to celebrate in a respectful manner.
- Be on time. Graduating students are to arrive at the West Gym 60 minutes prior to the start of your ceremony to allow sufficient time for gowning and lining up.
- Cell phones are to be turned off or switched to the silent operating mode.
- Please express your excitement in ways that will not prevent others from hearing the speaker and enjoying the ceremony.
- As a courtesy to and out of respect for your fellow graduates, grads and their guests are asked to remain in the ceremony space until the conclusion of the ceremony.
Immediately following each ceremony the college deans will host a tea in the Gryphon Fieldhouse for our newest alumni members, family, friends, faculty and staff.
Grads and their families will have a chance to walk along the #GuelphGrad Red Carpet and snap photos at a variety of U of G backdrops. Our U of G Ambassadors will be available to escort you along the carpet and take photos with your handheld device - they know all the best angles!
Please return your gown and hood to the Gryphon Fieldhouse after you have taken all your photographs. Failure to return your regalia may result in suspension of access to university services.
Post-Ceremony
Order your official on-stage and off-stage ceremony photos from orderphotos.ca.
Grads receive vendor discounts and preferred interest rates from insurance providers. Grads can continue to enjoy library services, career support, and a 20% discount on Continuing Education courses. Learn more here: Your Alumni Benefits
Updates
Effective February 2020, senate approved a motion to end the practice of holding winter (February) convocation ceremonies. This decision only affects the ceremony. Students who finish their studies in the fall semester will still be able to receive their degree parchment in the winter semester and will be invited to attend designated winter grad ceremonies during summer (June) convocation and formally cross the stage at that time.
Please note, winter graduates will have their own designated ceremony times during the summer (June) convocation. We cannot accommodate winter graduates at any other ceremony, other than the date/time designated to winter grads.
Our campus is tobacco- and smoke-free. Smoking, vaping, and smokeless tobacco are not allowed. For campus boundaries, visit uoguelph.ca/smokefree.
Have Questions?
For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have a question that isn’t covered, please contact us.