Frequently Asked Questions About Convocation

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Convocation

WHEN & WHERE IS THE CONVOCATION CEREMONY?

Please check the Dates & Locations web page.

WHEN DO I ARRIVE AT THE AUDITORIUM (THUNDER BAY CEREMONY)?

Graduates

Thunder Bay graduates - Arrive 1 ½ hours before the ceremony and go directly to the tent to pick up your gown and hood. You will then proceed into the auditorium and your program will be posted at the bottom of each set of stairs to tell you which floor you need to be on.

Guests

Thunder Bay Ceremony Guests will be able to enter the auditorium one hour before the ceremony. Tickets are not currently required for guests to attend the ceremonies. Seating is first come first serve.

CAN I ATTEND A CAMPUS CONVOCATION CEREMONY EVEN IF I DON’T ATTEND CLASSES AT THAT CAMPUS?

Yes. We will assume you are attending the campus you are currently enrolled at however, if you would like to attend an alternate campus ceremony, please email registration services at registrationservices@confederationcollege.ca to advise which campus ceremony you wish to attend.

WHEN AND WHERE DO I GET MY GOWN AND ASSOCIATE HOOD?

Thunder Bay Ceremony Only - You will rent your gown and associate hood through a third party vendor. You will be sent an email when the website is open to take orders (early April). You must order your gown to confirm your attendance. Gown order is now closed.

Regional Campus Ceremonies - you will be contacted by the Regional Campus regarding your ceremony. For our regional ceremonies, you will generally be given your gown the day of the ceremony.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR UNDERNEATH MY GOWN?

Something comfortable and cool as the stage will get quite warm during the ceremony. Suit jackets can be worn but it is not recommended. Please note: Your lower legs and foot wear will be visible.

Not appropriate are hats or baseball caps.

WHAT IS AN ASSOCIATE HOOD?

Associate Hoods indicate your program credential.

One Year Ontario College Certificate

- 1 thin blue ribbon/stripe

Two Year Ontario College Diploma

- 2 thin blue ribbon/stripes

Three Year Ontario College Advanced Diploma

- 3 thin blue ribbon/stripes

One Year Ontario College Graduate Certificate

- 1 thick blue cord

HOW DO I WEAR THE HOOD?

Associate Hoods rest on your shoulders with the coloured stripes or cord facing the front.

HOW LONG IS THE CEREMONY?

The ceremony is approximately 2 to 2.5 hours in length.

WHAT IF I AM UNABLE TO CLIMB THE STAIRS OR REQUIRE SPECIAL ASSISTANCE?

Please complete the Assistance During Convocation Form available on the Convocation Website. We will work with you directly on any assistance needed.

CAN I LEAVE MY PURSE OR PERSONAL BELONGINGS ON THE MEZZANINE, BALCONY OR ON STAGE?

No. You need to make arrangements to have someone in the audience hold your belongings. There is no coat check available.
When you are seated on stage you will not necessarily return to the same seat after you cross the stage.

WHERE DO I GET MY CONVOCATION BOOK?

Grads

- on your stage chair

Guests

- handed out when entering the auditorium

WHAT AM I EXPECTED TO DO (THUNDER BAY CEREMONY)?

Watch the graduate in front of you. You will be led in procession. Stay standing until after “O Canada”. You will be signaled when your row is to get up and walk to the announcer’s side. You will be instructed to walk up to the Orator, hand them your name card and whisper your name to them. Once your name is announced you will walk across the stage. First, the President will greet you and hand you the diploma casing, then a Board of Governors member, next, the Dean of your school and lastly, your program Coordinator/designate. You will then proceed down the side where Stage helpers will be on hand to guide you. Do not leave anything behind. You may not return to the same seat.

WHAT IF I AM GETTING MORE THAN ONE DIPLOMA?

You will need to decide what program you wish to sit with as you will only be crossing the stage once. Both diplomas will be given to you after you cross the stage.

WHAT IF I AM RECEIVING AN AWARD?

Depending on the award you may receive it on stage or as part of your credential package. Some awards may be mailed at a later date if award assessments cannot be completed in time for the ceremony.

WHAT IF I HAVE TO LEAVE EARLY OR TEND TO A PERSONAL NEED?

Once you’ve been presented your diploma/certificate case, instead of returning to your seat, advise the stage staff you have to leave. They will guide you in exiting the stage.

HOW DO I GET MY ACTUAL DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE?

You will receive your credential once you cross the stage before you are directed back to your seat.

Thunder Bay - If you are not attending convocation your diploma/certificate will be available to pick up at The Information Hub the Monday afternoon following the Convocation ceremony.

CAN I KEEP THE HOOD?

You can request this through the third party vendor providing the gowns and hoods.

WHY IS MY NAME MISSING FROM THE CONVOCATION BOOK?

We try our best to include all graduates in the Convocation book. We apologize if we missed your name.

WHAT IF I CANT MAKE IT TO THE CEREMONY. HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY CREDENTIAL?

If you are not attending convocation your diploma/certificate will be available to pick up at The Information Hub or your regional campus the next business day following Convocation.

If you have other questions or concern do not hesitate to contact the Registrar’s office

registrationservices@confederationcollege.ca or your Regional Campus.

WHICH GRADUATING YEARS ARE INVITED TO THE CEREMONY?

As we have not had an in-person ceremony since 2019, in addition to our 2021-2022 graduates, graduates from 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 are invited to attend this year's Convocation Ceremonies. This means all graduates since Summer 2019 are invited to attend.

Please note that graduates from 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 must RSVP by April 15th to confirm their interest in attending and to receive further information on Convocation.
Current graduates as of July 2021 and later do not need to RSVP but for the Thunder Bay ceremony must order your regalia to confirm your attendance. Gown order is now closed.

WHO NEEDS TO RSVP?

Only graduates from 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 need to submit the RSVP form to show their interest in attending.

Students from the current academic year do not need to submit the RSVP form. You will automatically receive information regarding Convocation. Current graduates will confirm their attendance at the Thunder Bay ceremony by ordering your regalia for the ceremony.

Please note that graduates from 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 must RSVP by April 15th to confirm their interest in attending and to receive information on Convocation.

WILL MY NAME BE IN THE CONVOCATION BOOK IF I AM A PAST GRADUATE?

Graduates from 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 will not have their names in the 2021-2022 Convocation booklet.
Convocation booklets for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 are available to view on our website.

DO I NEED TO BE VACCINATED TO ATTEND CONVOCATION AND DO I NEED A MASK?

Confederation College and each venue will continue to follow directives from the government and public health officials.
At this time proof of vaccination is not required to attend the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. Changes may be required in the future as per direction from government and public health officials.

Masks are required for Graduates only during procession and while seated on stage. Masks are not required elsewhere or when crossing the stage.

Guests will follow guidelines to masking as per the venue. At this time the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium does not require masks for guests.

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Health & Safety Information

For more information on provincially mandated Covid-19 protocols, visit: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/public-health-measures and https://www.tbdhu.com