Prepare for your convocation 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 Engineering and Applied Science, Health Sciences, and Science
  • 2 p.m. ceremony: graduates from the faculties of Business and Information Technology, Education, 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 Wednesday, September 27. 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.)

Attending your ceremony

• Arrive 90 minutes before the ceremony
  Arrive at Bordessa Hall (55 Bond Street E, Oshawa), 90 minutes before the start of your ceremony to check-in and pickup your ceremony participation card.
  Note: you must present your student ID or government-issued ID to check-in.
• Gowning and Graduate Procession
  After picking up your participation card, you will be directed to pick up your regalia and line up for the procession.
• Graduate!

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

• Celebrate!

  Alumni Receptions will begin immediately following the ceremony at Shawenjigewining Hall.

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

• Gown Return and Parchment Pickup
  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. Students are eligible to claim two guest tickets and may join a waitlist for additional tickets. Any remaining tickets will be distributed to the waitlist in late September. Students must claim their tickets through a registration process and provide them to their guests. Guests must present their ticket upon arrival to be scanned for entry. Everyone who attends (regardless of age) must have a ticket.

• Arrival and parking

  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.

  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.

• Accessibility

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

• Digital program
  As part of our ongoing dedication to minimizing our environmental impact, a virtual program will be available for viewing on your mobile device during the ceremony.
• Flowers
  The Commencement Group will be offering on-site flower sales at convocation. Pre-orders are available online.