Family & Friends FAQ
Also see the Graduate FAQ page.
Questions? Email convocation@uleth.ca
General Ceremony FAQs
How does someone receive a Letter of Invitation for family outside of Canada that would like to attend Convocation?
- Students who are inviting family from outside of Canada to convocation may need to provide relatives with a Letter of Invitation. The International Centre can also provide a supplementary letter for international students to provide to their family members for their visa applications. Please complete the Request for Invitation Letter. If you have any questions, please contact the International Centre.
How long will convocation be?
- Your grad should arrive 1.5 hours before the start of their ceremony.
- Guests can arrive at the same time, but general seating will not be open until one hour before the start of the ceremony.
- Ceremony lengths vary, but they tend to be 1.5 - 2.5 hours long. We aim for each ceremony to be under 2 hours, but many factors can impact the timing.
Can the ceremonies be viewed online?
- Yes, there will be a live webcast of each ceremony on the University of Lethbridge livestream page.
What time should guests arrive?
- General seating for guests opens one hour prior to each ceremony.
- The deadline for seating is 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
Where do we go when we arrive?
- Your graduand will go to the University Hall Atrium.
- Guests will go to the Co-Op Centre for Sport and Wellness. General seating will be located on the main floor, and guests will go through the large glass/frosted doors between the rock climbing wall and Tim Hortons.
How do we get to campus?
- Directions to the University of Lethbridge
Where do I park?
- See Parking Information.
- Parking is free in lot E during convocation, and lot N can be used for overflow.
- Please refer to the link above for information about accessible parking. Please note that there are limited accessible spots, but guests can also be dropped off at the front of the Co-Op Centre for Sport and Wellness.
Is there an accommodated seating area in the gymnasium for those with mobility issues?
Yes, there are spaces for wheelchairs and walkers at the top of each side of bleachers. When you enter the gymnasium at the track level, please indicate to one of the ushers that you require accommodated seating and they will be happy to guide you.
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During the Ceremony FAQs
Can I leave during the ceremony?
- We encourage guests to remain seated throughout the ceremony and stay until the end for respect for all of our grads.
- If you expect that you will need to leave for any reason throughout the ceremony, we encourage you to find seating near the exits (at the top of the bleachers near the aisles).
Can I cheer for my grad?
- Absolutely! Please keep your cheering to a few seconds and finish before the next student's name is called.
Can I sing an honour song for my grad?
- We welcome impromptu honour songs. You are encouraged to begin the song as soon as the grad's name is called.
- Since we are using technology throughout the ceremony, there is the possibility of a name being read aloud and overlapping with a song. We will do our best to ensure this does not happen, but it is a possibility, and thus beginning the song as soon as the student's name is called will greatly reduce the chances of this happening.
I am bringing small children. Where can I go when they are active or fussy?
- Classroom PE264, on Level 2, is equipped with a live feed of the ceremony that you may attend to your child and still enjoy the ceremony.
Will printed programs be available? How many can I have?
- For environmental and economics purposes, there is a limit of one (1) printed program per group.
- Your grad will still get their own! Each grad will have their own program provided to them on their chair.
- If anyone in your group would also like to follow along, they can use their phone to scan the QR code in the printed program to be directed to the digital program.
Where should I sit?
- We encourage you to speak with your grad before the day of the ceremony to decide which side of the gym you will be sitting on, as this will make it easier for them to locate you in the crowd.
- You can sit on the north or south sides' bleachers.
- Accessible seating is located at the top of the bleachers. Please do not go down the stairs - in the case of emergency, elevators may not be accessible, so the safest spot is at the top. These accessible seats can accommodate wheelchairs, crutches, canes, scooters, and more.
Can I leave spaces between myself and other guests/groups? Can I hold seats?
- Whenever possible, please do not leave spare seats between you and other groups. This is to ensure that other groups are able to sit together.
- It is common for our ushers to request guests to move over a seat or two to accommodate all of our guests and groups.
- You are allowed to hold seats, but please advise your other guests to arrive before the ceremony begins. If one of our ushers asks you to move over, please just inform them that you are holding the seats for other guests that will be joining you soon.
Can I bring an animal with me?
- Only certified service/support animals will be permitted on the track, bleachers, or gymnasium floor. Please inform our ushers prior to finding your seat.
- All other animals, regardless of species or size, will not be permitted. This is to ensure the safety and comfort of all persons throughout the ceremony.
Other FAQs
Are names pre-recorded? Is it AI?
- No.
- Our Platform Marshals review the forms each grad submits (with their name, pronunciation, and their own recording) and record each grad's name themselves.
- The voice you hear during the ceremony was recorded by the same Platform Marshal who is greeting your grad on the stage!
Will there be food and drinks available to purchase?
- Yes. Tim Hortons and Campus Coffee Company will be open. Other businesses may be open, though it varies by ceremony.
Can I bring food and drinks with me into the gymnasium / to my seat?
- Please ensure your drink has a lid. Anything without a lid may not be permitted.
- Food is not typically permitted, but our ushers will use their discretion. Please do not bring "messy" foods into the seating areas.
Why are the front rows / seats empty or reserved?
- These seats are reserved for specific guests, such as the guests of our Honourary Degree Recipients.
- They are not the accessible seats. Those are located at the top of the bleachers on each side of the gymnasium.
- While the seats are reserved, it does occasionally happen where the guests cannot attend for some reason and the seats remain empty. Regardless, we have to keep the seats reserved, as the guests may arrive later in the ceremony.
- Questions or concerns? Email convocation@uleth.ca
Photos, Gifts, & More
Where and when can photos be taken on the day of the ceremony?
- There will be an opportunity to take photos with your graduate after the ceremony, before regalia needs to be returned.
- There will also be opportunities for professional photographs on the day of convocation.
Can I purchase gifts for my grad(s)?
- Yes, the Bookstore will be open to purchase various gifts, and there will also be an opportunity to purchase flowers.
- Gifts may be given to your graduate after the ceremony.
- More info.