Graduate Information

Instructions & Steps

Before You Arrive

Grads are expected to arrive 90 minutes (1.5hrs) before their ceremony.

If you have any questions before or after the ceremony, please email convocation@uleth.ca. 

 

Bring / Wear:

Do NOT Bring:

Bring / Wear:

  • Comfortable footwear
  • Something with pockets or a waist bag
  • Student ID card

Optional:

  • Bottled water
  • Phone
  • Wallet
  • Keys

Optional items should fit in your clothing's pockets, with the exception of the bottled water. The gowns do not have pockets.

Bottled water is permitted, but it must be in a clear, plastic bottle. 

You will be responsible for carrying your water, including as you walk in the procession. 

Do NOT Bring:

  • Bags, purses, backpacks, or luggage
  • Flowers or other gifts
  • Anything you can't carry in your pockets (see Optional)

Coat Check is for coats & jackets only.

All other items should be left with your guests or in a safe location, such as your house or vehicle. If this is not possible, please speak with our staff.

Checked coats and jackets will be moved to the PE building (near the track doors / by the rock wall) for pick-up immediately after the ceremony. You have 20 minutes to retrieve your belongings. 

Anything not picked up after 20 minutes following the ceremony will be brought to Security Services (L911). 

The University is not responsible for lost or stolen items, and grads are strongly encouraged to leave personal belongings with their guests.

 

Graduand Assembly

Please arrive 90 minutes (1.5 hours) before your ceremony.

 

1

Proceed to University Hall Atrium

2

Pick Up Your Parchment(s)

3

Pick Up Your Regalia

1

Proceed to University Hall Atrium

Graduands should head to the University Hall Atrium 90 minutes (1.5 hours) before the start of their ceremony.

The Graduand Assembly Area is only for graduands. 

Your guests can find seating in the gymnasium 60 minutes (1 hour) before the ceremony begins. They will enter through the track doors.

2

Pick Up Your Parchment(s)

Join the line in the atrium. Please have your student ID ready.

You will need to state two things:

1. Your credential category (e.g. Bachelor of Arts); and

2. Your full name, LAST NAME first

Your parchment has a NUMBERED label on the back upper right-hand corner. 

DO NOT REMOVE THE LABEL OR ALTER THE INFORMATION ON IT. 

3

Pick Up Your Regalia

Proceed from the parchment pick-up line to pick up your gown, cap, and hood. 

After picking up your gown, cap, and hood, move on to the designated area to put on your regalia. Our staff will assist with pinning your hood.

Waiting in Line
Procession Up the Hill 3
Procession Up the Hill
Pinning

 

4

Cords of Academic Distinction

5

Line Up for the Procession

6

Process Up the Hill

4

Cords of Academic Distinction

If you are awarded "Distinction" or "Great Distinction", it will be printed on the label on your parchment. 

Staff will be there to present you with the cords, which are worn for the ceremony and yours to keep!

5

Line Up for the Procession

1. Note the number on your parchment's label. 

2. Follow the tall signs against the wall along the hallway indicating number ranges (e.g. 150 - 199). 

3. Find your (numerical) place in line. 

As more grads arrive, confirm that you are in the correct spot by comparing numbers. If you are number 123, the person in front of you should be 122, and the person behind you should be 124.

Staff members will be counting grads and eventually the line will be split in two, and the back half will be brought up to the front to form two lines of equal length.

6

Process Up the Hill

You MUST be in line for the procession at least **30 minutes before** the ceremony begins.

Approximately 10-15 minutes before the ceremony begins, the Chief Marshal will lead the procession line up the hill stemming from University Hall to the gymnasium in the PE Building. 

It is very important that you maintain your position in the procession and throughout the ceremony at all times. 

PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CELL PHONE IS SILENCED.

Enjoy this wonderful celebration!

 

Conferral Ceremony

~2 hours (Graduates are expected to remain for the entire ceremony and are not permitted to leave early)

 

1

Arriving to the Gymnasium

2

Lining Up (Backstage)

3

Crossing the Stage

1

Arriving to the Gymnasium

1. Follow your marshal's directions as they lead you directly to your seat. 

2. Check with the person on either side of you to ensure that you are still in numerical order - this is extremely important.

3. Before sitting, you will remain standing for the singing of the National Anthem and the reading of the Reflection. 

4. There will be a program on your seat; when directed, please pick it up for the Reflection reading.

5. Sit when prompted.

2

Lining Up (Backstage)

1. Follow your marshal's directions as they lead you, row by row, from your seat to the rear of the stage. 

2. Again, remain in your numerical order - do not step out of line. 

3. A backstage photo will be taken before you go on stage. 

4. STOP at the STOP SIGN. Stay in your numerical order. 

5. Wait to be called over to get your label scanned. After it has been scanned, wait to be prompted to line up on stage.

3

Crossing the Stage

1. When you are next in line, hand the marshal  your folder, WHITE LABEL SIDE UP.

2. Move to the SQUARE mark on the floor and face your grads! Enjoy this moment!

3. The Platform Marshal will state your name and return your folder to you. Don't forget to grab it!

4. Proceed across the stage, carrying your folder with the GOLD ULETHBRIDGE LOGO FACING OUT TO YOUR FELLOW GRADS*. 

* We will be capturing a brief video clip and candid photo of you crossing the stage.

 

4

Exiting the Stage

5

End of Ceremony

6

After the Ceremony

4

Exiting the Stage

1. At the end of the stage, a Students Union or Graduate Students Association representative will shake your hand, and the Alumni representative will hand you an Alumni pin.

2. Exit the stairs (on your left) and return to your seat. 

5

End of Ceremony

1. The Chancellor will officially declare everyone's conferral - congratulations! You are now a graduate and alum! 

2. When directed, move your tassel from the left to the right.

3. Follow your Marshal's lead as they guide students row-by-row to exit the gymnasium floor. 

**Don't forget to grab your program!**

4. You will be led up the stairs to the second floor of the track, and there will be light snacks and refreshments.

6

After the Ceremony

1. If you left anything with the coat check service, please go straight there to retrieve your belonging(s).

2. Please return your regalia (gown and hood) to the Bookstore, located in the Student's Union Building. You get to keep your cap and tassel.

For Fall Convocation: Return by 2 p.m. MST on the same day as your ceremony

For Spring Convocation: Return by 6 p.m. MST on the same day as your ceremony

Walking Back to Seat
Moving Tassel
Masters Students
Ceremony
Grad hugging a faculty member during the ceremony
An Honourary Degree Recipient receiving his degree
Spring 2026 Convocation
Spring 2026 Convocation Award Winner

 

Helpful Information

 

Regalia Return

Please return your regalia (gown and hood) to the Bookstore, located in the Student's Union Building. You get to keep your cap and tassel.

For Fall Convocation: Return by 2 p.m. MST on the same day as your ceremony

For Spring Convocation: Return by 6 p.m. MST on the same day as your ceremony

 

 

Photos

Our internal photographers will be capturing some candid photos. This gallery is generally available about a month after the ceremony.

GradImages will be taking two to three photos of each grad. The proofs are generally available 1-3 weeks after your ceremony. GradImages will email you when your proofs are available.

  • A backstage photo
  • A candid photo as each grad crosses the stage
  • A photo of the grad shaking hands with the Chancellor (optional, located on track after the ceremony)

A professional photo company will also be located outside of the track doors following the ceremony. There will be a sitting fee, but they can take a professional headshot in the graduation regalia. They operate as first-come, first-served. If you have to return your regalia before you can get a photograph, please speak with the photographer to see if they can briefly loan you regalia for just the photo.

 

 

Ceremony

Please expect to remain in the gymnasium until the end of the ceremony. If you must leave (e.g. medical reasons, emergency, etc.), please inform our staff first for safety purposes.

You may bring a clear bottle of water with you. You are welcome to bring it with you to the graduand assembly area (located University Hall by the atrium), but please be aware that you will have to carry it with you as you walk in the process up the hill. You can place it under your chair once you are in the gymnasium.

  • As you will be in the gymnasium until the end of the ceremony, access to a washroom is very limited, and you may not be able to access it until after you cross the stage (or potentially not until after the ceremony). Please be mindful of this.