Prepare for your Convocation ceremony

• IMPORTANT
  Please note: In order to participate in Convocation, you must apply to graDuate AND register to attend the ceremony.
• Apply to graduate

  Students must complete the application to graduate to initiate the degree audit process. This step is a requirement regardless of your intent to attend Convocation.

• Book graduation photos
  Capture your time at Ontario Tech with professional graduation photos. The graduation photo service is organized by the Ontario Tech Student Union (OTSU). Visit the OTSU grad photos website for up-to-date information, FAQs and to book your session.
• Check the ceremony schedule

  There are two ceremonies. Check the schedule to confirm the time of your ceremony and save the date.

  • 9:30 a.m. ceremony: graduates from the faculties of Education, Engineering and Applied Science, and Health Sciences
  • 2 p.m. ceremony: graduates from the faculties of Business and Information Technology, Science, and Social Science and Humanities
• Register to attend your ceremony and claim guest tickets

  Students who have applied to graduate will receive an email from MarchingOrder on behalf of the university in mid-August to register for Convocation. You will be prompted to register to attend, provide the phonetic pronunciation of your name and reserve your guest tickets. Returning users may login in at ontariotechu.marchingorder.com.

  Note: if you require any accessibility accommodations, please contact convocation@ontariotechu.ca. 

• Rent a gown
  Graduates are required to order a gown through the Gaspard regalia rental website by Monday, September 30. An advance rental fee of $37 applies. (Note: Graduates who miss the advance rental period may do so on-site, for a rental fee of $50.)
• Letter of Invitation (International Students)
  If you would like to invite a friend or relative to visit you in Canada to attend your convocation ceremony, you may need to send them a letter of invitation. We do not provide these letters; you must write the letter yourself. You can find more information on the International Student Services website.
• What if I do not attend Convocation?

  If you are not attending your convocation ceremony, you may pick up your parchment during the six weeks following Convocation from the Office of the Registrar located in the Software and Informatics Research Centre (north Oshawa campus location).

  If you are unable to pick up your parchment and would like your parchment couriered, please complete the request for parchment to be couriered form.

Attending Convocation

Information for grads

• Arrive 90 minutes before the ceremony

  Arrive 90 minutes before the ceremony to Bordessa Hall (55 Bond Street E, Oshawa) to check-in and pickup your ceremony participation card.

  Note: You must show your student card or government-issued photo ID to check in for the ceremony, pick up your academic regalia and obtain your degree parchment. Graduates without proper identification will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.

  Bring only the essentials for participating in the ceremony (e.g. photo ID and a form of payment if you didn’t pre-rent your gown). Personal belongings cannot be left in the gowning room or carried in the procession to the ceremony location.

• Gowning and graduate procession

  After picking up your participation card, you will be directed to pick up your academic regalia (gown, hood and cap) and line up for the procession.

  If you did not rent your gown in advance, you will line up for an on-site rental (a $50 on-site rental fee applies).

• Participate in the ceremony

  The graduate procession will begin moving to the ceremony location approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.

  The duration of each convocation ceremony is approximately 1 to 1 and a half hours, depending on the number of graduates. Out of respect for all ceremony attendees, graduates and their guests are expected to remain for the entire ceremony.

• Celebrate at the reception

  Alumni Receptions will begin immediately following the ceremony outside on Victoria Street (next to Regent Theatre).

  Snap some pictures and introduce your guests to classmates and professors.

• Gown return and parchment pick-up

  Return your gown to Bordessa Hall (the same location that you picked it up from) within one hour of the end of your ceremony. Once you have returned your gown, you will receive your official degree parchment.

  
  Note: Gaspard will charge students for goods not returned or goods returned damaged.

Information for guests

• Guest tickets

  Tickets are required to attend convocation. Everyone who attends (regardless of age) must have a ticket.

  Graduates are eligible to claim up to two guest tickets and may join a waitlist for additional tickets. Additional tickets will be distributed if they are available to the waitlist in late September.

  Only graduates can request tickets. They must be claimed through the ceremony registration process. Graduates will then distribute the ticket(s) to their guest(s), and all guests must present their ticket upon arrival to be scanned for entry.

  Guests will enter the venue space at the main lobby doors at least 30-minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.

• Parking

  The parking options around Regent Theatre include on-street parking (time limits) and in lots. In-lot parking is available at the Mary Street Parking Garage and Parkade 3.

  For more information about parking rules and regulations please visit the City of Oshawa parking website.

• Arrival and ceremony duration

  Ceremonies will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. with the Graduate Procession. Guests are encouraged to arrive between 30 to 60 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. While tickets are required, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

  To ensure that all Convocation attendees have the best possible experience during the ceremonies, please review the safeguarding and assurance guidelines including the code of conduct, rules and procedures that apply to all graduates and guests. Key points include:

  • No large bags (e.g. knapsacks, duffels and totes).
  • No signs, noisemakers or flags.

  The duration of each convocation ceremony is approximately 1 to 1 and a half hours, depending on the number of graduates from the faculty. Out of respect for all ceremony attendees, graduates and their guests are expected to remain in their seat for the duration of the ceremony.

• Accessibility

  Graduates and guests who require an accessibility accommodation should contact convocation@ontariotechu.ca as early as possible.

• Flowers
  The Commencement Group will be offering on-site flower sales at convocation. Pre-orders are available online.