Ceremony Etiquette for Guests

Guest Limits

Due to the high number of students graduating, we request graduands to limit the number of guests where possible to 4 or less so that all graduates may have guests at the ceremony to cheer them on.

Pre-Ceremony Access to Graduand

Graduands are expected to arrive early to prepare for the ceremony in the Robing Area. The Robing Area is a busy, warm, and bustling place. To minimize additional bodies, we request that parents, partners, children, and guests wish their graduand well at the doors of the RecPlex and refrain from entering the complex. There will be plenty of opportunities after the ceremony to take pictures of the graduand in their academic dress. 

Guests arriving with the graduand may head to the Duckworth Centre to queue for a prime seat.

The doors to the Duckworth Centre open 45 minutes before each ceremony begins.

The Ceremony

Please arrive early. Guests should plan to be seated 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. Late arrivals will need to wait until the academic procession concludes before entering the gymnasium.

The ceremony is approximately two and a half hours in length, followed by a reception on Marsha Hannen Way. We request that you plan to be present for the length of the ceremony and not leave early once the graduate you have come to support has crossed the stage.

Additionally, we welcome guests’ cheers and jubilation; however please be advised that loud noise-making devices such as air horns are not permitted.

Post-Ceremony

Set a post-ceremony meeting place with your graduate. It is advisable to set the meeting place away from the doors of the Duckworth Centre to avoid adding to the congestion as attendees exit. 

Additionally, please allow the academic procession to fully exit before making your way out of the gymnasium. This helps avoid a bottleneck at the exit.