What to Expect on Convocation Day

Graduands lined up in front of sign that says "Welcome! Please have your QR code/registration confirmatio ready"

1

Arrive 90 minutes before the start of the ceremony for check-in and gowning in the Varsity Court (2nd floor of the MAC). Bring your registration confirmation (digital QR code or printed)

3 convocation staff members are handing a blue bachelors gown to a graduand

2

You will receive a gown and hood and a Name Reader Card (make sure to keep your card and do not bend it!)

Overhead shot which shows graduands in blue bachelors gowns lined up in Varsity Court

3

Line up based on the number that appears at the top of your Name Reader Card.

This is the order in which you will cross the stage during the ceremony.

A single file line of grads in blue gowns walking up a set of stairs to the 3rd floor of the Mattamy Athletic Centre

4

You will be led into the Convocation Arena 30 minutes before the ceremony. Please stay in a single file line and in numerical order throughout the procession.

The procession will make its way from the 2nd floor up a flight of stairs and down a hallway to the entrance of the Convocation Arena on the 3rd floor.

A volunteer in a gold gown directs a line of grads to their seats in the arena

5

You will be directed to your seat by convocation staff once inside the Convocation Arena.

Please remain in your line up order based on the number on your Name Reader Card. Do not leave any empty seats. Any late grads will be directed to late seating.

Only graduands are permitted in the grad seating area.

What to expect during the ceremony

Grads in blue gowns are standing in a single file line on the ramp leading to the stage

1

Your row will be directed to the stage ramp when it is time to cross the stage.

three grads in glue gowns are lined up to cross the stage and are holding their name reader cards

2

Bring your Name Reader Card with you and leave all other items on/under your seat.

A grad in a blue gowns hands their name reader card to a staff member on stage in a black gown

3

Your Name Reader Card will be checked to ensure you are in the correct order. At the top of the stage, you will hand your Name Reader Card to a staff member who will cue you to cross the stage.

A grad in a blue gown places their hand over their heart as they cross the stage

4

The Chancellor, President and other faculty will be on stage to congratulate you. Greet them by placing your hand over your heart as you cross the stage (no handshakes, please!)

A grad in a blue gown is being photographed by a GradImages photographer at the bottom of the exit ramp.

5

Smile! A photographer from Gradimages (external link) will take your photo at the bottom of the exit ramp after you have crossed the stage.

Grads in blue gowns are directed back to their seats after crossing the stage by a staff member in a gold gown

6

A staff member will be waiting to show you to your seat for the remainder of the ceremony.

A person wearing a black gown is standing in the centre of the stage with a mic and singing O'Canada

7

The ceremony will conclude with the singing of the National Anthem. The Chancellor's Stage Party will leave the stage and exit the Convocation Arena.

An overhead shot showing grads in blue gowns being led out of the arena and up to the 4th floor in two single file lines.

8

Convocation staff will lead all graduates row by row to the 4th floor concourses for post-ceremony celebrations.

What to expect after the ceremony

A grad in a blue gown is posing with TMU Mascot, Frankie the Falcon

1. Celebrate!

There are photo opportunities throughout the MAC as well as memorabilia for purchase through the Campus Store on both sides of the 4th floor concourse.

Grads in blue gowns are lined up in front of a table where class composites are being distributed

2. Class Composites

For June convocation only: Pick-up your class composite from the TMSU table in the Jet Ice Lounge (4th floor).

Students convocating in fall will be included in composites the following spring. Contact TMSU (external link) if you have any questions.

A grad is handing a staff member a blue gown at a gown return station in the Varsity Court

3. Gown Return & Check-Out

Return your gown and hood back to the Varsity Court within 45 minutes of the ceremony end time.

Note: regalia not returned within the allotted time may result in a hold on your student account. You will not receive your award document or transcript until regalia has been returned

A grad in a white dress is picking up their award document from the Curriculum Advising table in the Varsity Court

4. Award Document Pick-Up

Once you return your gown and hood, you will receive your award document from Curriculum Advising.

You will need to show your registration confirmation again (digital QR code or printed).

Tips

Arrive on time. If you arrive after the procession has left the check-in area, you will be seated in a separate section from your classmates.
Review the TMU regalia guidelines to learn more about what is (and isn’t) included as part of academic attire at convocation.
Wear comfortable shoes or bring an extra pair - you will be standing and walking throughout convocation, including up several flights of stairs. It may be uncomfortable and/or unsafe to wear heels.
Plan ahead. To ensure each graduate is celebrated equally, we ask all graduates to stay for the entire ceremony to support each other. Let your guests know they can expect each ceremony to last 1.5 - 2 hours.
Leave your personal belongings/valuables with your guests or at home
Use #AlwaysAlumni. Convocation is an exciting milestone during your university experience. We want you to celebrate it! Share messages of congratulations, your photos and memories using #AlwaysAlumni.
Make sure your phone is fully charged to show your registration confirmation (QR code) and for photos as well as check out, following the ceremony!
Check your TMU email access (including two-factor authentication) - this is important for any last-minute confirmations or if you need to resend your guests their tickets.
GradImages (external link) will contact you via email within a few weeks of your ceremony with photo proofs. Only grads who provided photo consent during registration will receive proofs.