Chancellor Edwin Jebb, President & Vice-Chancellor Doug Lauvstad, the Council of Elders, Governing Council and Learning Council invite faculty, staff, friends and the public to honour the graduating class at the 2019 UCN Convocation Ceremonies. The entire UCN community also extends congratulations to the award recipients and graduating class.
Convocation Dates and Times
We will begin each Convocation day with a Pipe Ceremony. Everyone is welcome!
Information for Potential Graduands/Graduates
Before Convocation
Applying to Graduate
All potential graduands and graduates need to complete an Application for Graduation form and submit the form to Enrolment Services. The Application for Graduation form can be accessed at the following link: Application for Graduation
The deadline to apply for Graduation/Convocation is April 26, 2019. You can still apply between April 26 and June 12, 2019; however, the fee will be $71.76.
No applications to attend the ceremonies in The Pas or Thompson will be accepted after June 12, 2019.
Academic Apparel and Fees
Academic apparel (gown, v-stole, cap & tassel) must be worn by all graduands/graduates participating in the ceremony and can be reserved through the Application for Graduation form submitted to Enrolment Services.
A $35.00 gown rental fee is to be submitted with the Application for Graduation form for those who are planning to attend Convocation and are applying prior to April 26 (a gown rental fee of $71.76 applies for applications submitted between April 26 and June 12, 2019). The gown rental fee includes the keepsake graduation cap & tassel.
Academic apparel, sized according to the information you provide on the Application to Graduate (or Faculty Gown Order form) will be available for pickup the day before, and on the day of, Convocation (see below). Please bring your student card (or UCN staff/faculty ID) to confirm your identity when collecting your academic apparel. You are responsible for returning all academic apparel by 5:00 p.m. the day of Convocation or late fees will apply.
In addition to the academic apparel above, you may choose to wear clothing or garments of honour from your culture. This is a welcome enrichment to the color of the graduation ceremonies. These are worn over the gown and v-stole.
If you cannot attend the ceremony, a cap and tassel can be ordered for $10.00. This keepsake cap & tassel will be mailed to you upon conferral.
Eligibility to Graduate
Enrolment Services will collect your Application to Graduate form and confirm if you have met all requirements for the appropriate credential. You can contact Enrolment Services to confirm the status of your application/eligibility.
UCN has two categories of students that can participate in Convocation ceremonies:
You are considered a graduate if you have successfully completed all program requirements prior to June 1, 2019.
You are considered a graduand if program requirements are expected to be met upon successful completion of courses you are registered for within the Spring Term.
What if I'm on hold?
You can check your academic record on-line through SOAR. You can also verify with Finance to determine if there is a hold on your account. Please check well in advance of Convocation to ensure your account is current. Make sure that all library materials are returned to the libraries and any outstanding fines, charges or tuition balances have been paid and any holds cleared prior to applying for graduation.
What should I wear?
The Convocation ceremony is a formal occasion, so dress clothes would be appropriate. However, keep in mind that the academic gowns can be warm. We recommend that you do not wear suit jackets, sport coats, or heavy sweaters under your gown. For safety reasons, we also recommend shoes with lower heels. The length of the gowns is mid-knee to mid-calf.
What if I have special needs?
We try to ensure that this event is as accessible as possible, for both graduands/graduates and guests. We always ensure that a wheelchair accessible ramp is set up with the stage at each event and that both venues are accessible for guests. We ask that you notify us as early as possible about considerations you may need at the event by contacting Enrolment Services at 204.627.8500 or speaking with your Academic Advisor.
How many guests can I bring and where can they sit?
Seats for guests are assigned at each ceremony on a first-come basis. The doors to the venue will be opened 45 minutes before each ceremony begins. Tickets are not required for admission, but please note that there is a limit of 10 invited guests per graduand/graduate.
Guests with accessibility needs who require special seating should speak to the ushers upon arrival. Please note that wheelchairs are not provided by the venue.
Guests are asked to take their seats in the venue no later than 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. Late arrivals will be asked to wait until the academic procession has ended before entering the arena.
At the Ceremony
Where should I park?
There is plenty of free parking for graduands/graduates and guests at both venues.
What time should I arrive?
You should report to the venue and designated lineup area by noon.
Your guests, family and friends should be seated at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony, which starts at 1:00 p.m.
Reserved seating is clearly marked; guests may sit in any area not marked as reserved (including the bleacher sections). Please exercise caution when going up or down the bleacher stairs.
What happens during the ceremony?
Please gather at the designated lineup area (reception side at the Roy H. Johnston Arena, The Pas, and C.A. Nesbitt Arena, Thompson) by noon; attendants will be on hand to line graduands/graduates up by program and then by last name. You will process into the arena, be seated, and recess in this order.
During the Convocation ceremony, you will not be permitted to carry personal belongings across the stage, including but not limited to:
At the ceremony and while in the procession line, you will receive a card with your name printed on it. DO NOT lose or exchange this card because this is how the emcee will announce you to cross the stage.
Students, instructional staff, and invited guests participate in the academic processional and recessional in the following order:
Eagle Staff Carrier
Council of Elder Members
Chancellor
President & Vice-Chancellor
Platform Party Members (including Academic Deans)
Instructional Staff
Graduands/Graduates
The recessional order is:
Eagle Staff Carrier
Chancellor
President & Vice-Chancellor
Platform Party Members
Council of Elder Members
Graduands/Graduates
Instructional Staff
Please note: The Instructional Staff and Graduands/Graduates order is reversed for the recessional.
How will the emcee know how to pronounce my name?
During the ceremony, you will present your name card to the emcee and discreetly whisper the pronunciation of your name to him before he announces you to enter the stage and receive your credential.
Photographs
Your family and guests are welcome to take photographs as you cross the stage to receive your parchment (graduates) or scroll (graduands). The front row is designated as a “picture row” and can be used at the appropriate time to take pictures. We only ask that you surrender the spot once your graduand/graduate has crossed the stage, to respect other family members and guests’ use. Please avoid overcrowding the area where graduands/graduates leave the stage or where they line up to enter the stage.
Official portraits are not available at Convocation.
What do I do after I receive my credential?
After you are called to cross the stage, the Chancellor will present you with your parchment (graduates) or scroll (graduands) and shake your hand. He will have you stand between him and the President and Vice-Chancellor for a photo opportunity. The President and Vice-Chancellor will then move you along to the Dean and Instructional Staff members. The Dean will greet you, shake your hand and move you in between him/her and the Instructional Staff members for another photo opportunity. After that, you will exit the stage and return to your seat.
In respect of the entire graduating class, we ask all graduands/graduates to return to their seats after receiving their credential and that all graduands/graduates and guests remain until after the processional.
After the Ceremony
What do I do after the ceremony?
At the end of each ceremony, graduands/graduates, instructional staff, and platform party guests will recess out of the event space to a reception area.
Please return your academic apparel (see below) no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of Convocation. If you do not return all of your apparel, you will be liable to pay the full value (plus taxes) as listed below, and these fees will be charged to your student account.
Diploma/Certificate/Bachelor
Gown: $95.00
V-Stole: $12.95
Academic Apparel Return
All academic apparel must be returned no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 25 and June 27 as follows:
The Pas Ceremony
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Immediately following the ceremony and until 5:00 p.m.
Roy H. Johnston Arena
Thompson Ceremony
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Immediately following the ceremony and until 5:00 p.m.
C.A. Nesbitt Arena
Souvenirs
Your campus bookstore will be on-site at each venue to sell a wide variety of souvenirs and a limited supply of flowers. If you would like other items to remember your time at UCN, please visit the campus bookstores in The Pas and Thompson prior to or after Convocation for mementos. Please note that the campus bookstores may be closed the day of Convocation and staff will have items for purchase at the Convocation venues.
Contacts
For graduation eligibility or other questions about your credential:
UCN Enrolment Services
204.627.8500 (The Pas)
204.677.6450 (Thompson)
For questions about ordering academic apparel, the Convocation event or venue:
Ethel Nyabeze, Convocation Coordinator – Thompson
204.677.6676
enyabeze@ucn.ca
Alyssa Montsion, Convocation Coordinator – The Pas
204.627.8576
amontsion@ucn.ca
David Dalcanale, UCN Registrar and Convocation Committee Chair
204.627.8545
ddalcanale@ucn.ca