Attending Convocation – Information for Grads

The ceremonies will be held in the Investors Group Athletic Centre (IGAC).  All graduands report to the Max Bell Centre Field House for assembly; the procession into IGAC begins at the start time of the ceremony.

If you have any special needs (ramp, sign language, etc.), contact the Student Accessibility Services (formerly Disability Services) at 204-474-6213. You can also email them at student_accessibility@umanitoba.ca with your questions or concerns.

You should report to the Max Bell Centre Field House 1 ½ to 2 hours before your Convocation ceremony.  Early arrival will allow you time to review the pronunciation of your name with the Presenter and, should you choose to purchase them, time for individual professional portraits to be taken.  For more information, see Souvenirs & Photos.

To avoid congestion, family and friends should use the designated entrance to the Investors Group Athletic Centre (wheelchair accessible); they should not accompany you to Max Bell.

  1. Go directly to the “Help Desk” to pick up your procession card (please have photo i.d. with you). The procession card will have your name, the degree you are receiving, and a number which indicates your place in line.
  2. You will then proceed to the Gaspard table to pick up your gown, hood, and mortarboard. The academic attire is distributed by order.  
  3. After you are dressed in your academic attire, proceed to the appropriate area for the numerical organization of your group. PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR ASSIGNED POSITION FOR THE REST OF YOUR TIME IN MAX BELL AND FOR THE PROCESSION INTO IGAC.

There is a “phonetic pronunciation” space on the bottom of the procession card.  If you feel it will help the Presenter announce your name correctly before you cross the stage, please fill it in.  While you are in line in Max Bell, the Presenter will circulate among the graduands to consult with you about the correct pronunciation of your name.

Parking
 
Free parking is available in ‘U’ Lot off Chancellor Matheson Rd and in ‘Q’ Lot on Dysart Rd, across from St. Paul’s College. The public parkade (located on Ralph Campbell Rd. off Sidney Smith St.) is available for parking, but you will be charged an hourly rate. Handicapped parking will be available in ‘P’ Lot on Sidney Smith St. University Security Services staff will be on hand to assist in directing drivers to the handicapped area.

 

How long is the ceremony?

Depending upon the number of graduates in the ceremony, the length of the speeches, and the number of special awards granted at convocation, the length of the ceremonies can vary. Generally speaking, you can expect the ceremony to last approximately 2 – 2 ½ hours.

What happens after the ceremony?

At the end of each ceremony graduates will process out of IGAC to a reception area. This is an excellent location to arrange to meet your family and friends. Do not arrange to meet at the exit doors of IGAC as this area must be kept clear.

You will return your gown and hood to the Gaspard desk where you picked it up. If you do not return your gown and hood, you will be liable to pay the full value (plus taxes) as listed below.

  Gown Hood
Doctor of Philosophy $347.80 $110.40
MD, DMD, Masters $88.25 $51.95
Bachelors $77.25 $46.45
Diplomas and Certificates $77.25  

 

Souvenirs & Photos

Arrangements have been made for Barney Charach Paramount Studio photographers to be located in the Max Bell Field House for graduates’ individual and family portraits for 2 hours after the Convocation ceremonies. If you are interested in having a portrait done, you are asked to visit the website members.shaw.ca./mbcharach, download the order form, fill it out, and bring it along to Convocation.

The Alumni Association and the University of Manitoba Media Production group have collaborated to make available two items that may be of interest to you. One is a photo of you receiving your parchment on‐stage from your Dean or his/her designate. Another is a DVD of your Convocation Ceremony. You can download the order form from the Alumni Association website.

The Alumni Association offers frames for your parchments and a framing service immediately after Convocation. Information about the different kinds of frames that are available, pricing, and ordering is available on the Alumni Association website.

You can visit the Bookstore website umanitoba.ca/bookstore to see some of the merchandise available.

** If for any reason there is a ‘Hold’ placed on your records (exception is the graduation hold), you will graduate but WILL NOT receive your parchment at the Convocation – please check your Aurora records.  Make sure that all library materials are returned to the libraries and any outstanding fines or charges are paid prior to graduation, that any outstanding tuition balances have been paid, that all parking tickets are paid, or that any other holds have been cleared.  All graduates will have a Graduation hold.  This hold is in place only to prevent registration; you will still receive your parchment.  The Registrar’s Office will retain “on-hold” parchments for 12 months to afford graduates the opportunity to clear holds.