Registrar's Office
and Student Services

Graduation Checklist

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Ceremony Dates and Times

In order to RSVP you must know your ceremony date and time.

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Outstanding Accounts - Deadline: April 1, 2013

Students whose accounts are still outstanding after April 1, 2012 will not be permitted to graduate, will not be permitted to participate in ceremonies, will not be listed in the convocation program, and will have transcripts withheld. This includes outstanding tuition, housing and telecom charges, and library fees. Direct inquiries to:

Cash Office - 403-329-2469

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Invitations

Invitation postcards are sent to all applicants and are not a confirmation of graduation eligibility (see Graduation Approval Status).  The invitation is mailed to your permanent address at the end of March, so ensure that your address record is up to date on the Bridge.

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What to Expect on Your Convocation Day

Graduand Assembly

Please note: Do NOT bring purses, wallets, backpacks, laptops or other valuables to the assembly in the Students’ Union Ballroom.

All graduands meet in the Students’ Union Ballroom (Level 3), to pick up regalia, at least two hours prior to the ceremony (at 7:30 a.m. SHARP for morning ceremonies and 12:30 p.m. SHARP for afternoon ceremonies). You will be greeted by UofL staff and volunteers who will assist you with your regalia and provide you with your parchment(s) and cords of distinction if applicable. Your parchment(s) will have a numbered label and it is very important that you do NOT write on it and it remains intact until after the ceremony! You will be asked to line up according to the number on your label and to remain in order at all times. Late arrivals may not be accommodated in the procession line, so please be on time.

Graduand Procession

Graduands line up for the procession in the Level 1 hallway of the Students’ Union Building, outside the Registrar’s Office. Once all graduands are in place, the line will be counted and divided into two approximately equal groups. It is critical that you remain in line in your assigned position. When the Chief Marshal gives the signal, the procession line will begin making its way to the gymnasium with the Chief Marshal leading the way, carrying the ceremonial mace. The Chief Marshal will be followed by the Marshals of the Graduands, the graduands, and then the platform party which includes faculty, administration, and other distinguished guests.

Please contact us if there are any special needs or circumstances that would prevent you from walking in the procession to the gymnasium. Contact the Registrar’s Office (403-329-2593 or graduation@uleth.ca) well in advance of your ceremony.

Ceremony

The Chancellor presides over all convocation ceremonies. When the conferral process begins, the Marshal of the Graduands will direct you to the back of the platform where your order in line will be verified. When the Platform Marshal reads your name aloud, first shake hands with the Chancellor, turn and smile for your picture, continue across the platform, and return to your seat on the gym floor. If you are receiving an academic medal, please proceed to a seat at the back of the platform; otherwise, return to your seat on the gym floor. Medal recipients will be provided with more information prior to convocation.

Graduate Recession

At the end of the ceremony, the Chief Marshal and the platform party will lead the recession up the bleacher stairs to the convocation tea. They are followed by the Marshals of the Graduands and graduates. Do not stop until you have reached the track level and have moved well past the stairs.

After the Ceremony

Complimentary refreshments will be served at the convocation tea immediately following the ceremony. Professional photographers and a parchment framing service can be found in the foyer outside the gymnasium. Remember to return your regalia to the designated area outside the gymnasium, and enjoy the rest of your day with family and friends!

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Attendance - RSVP

Website Opens: March 28, 2013
Deadline: May 8, 2013

You must RSVP online via the Bridge (Select Registrar's Office and Student Services >Graduation > and then Graduand RSVP)

If you cannot attend your ceremony, your parchment(s) will be available for pick up at the Registrar’s Office (SU140) during the week following convocation. At the end of the week, parchment(s) will be mailed to the permanent address. You can change your permanent address on the Bridge, or contact us to specify an alternate shipping address prior to convocation.

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Graduation Approval Status

After May 18th you can view your graduation status on the Bridge by selecting Registrar’s Office and Student Services > Graduation > Application for Graduation Status.  If you have questions regarding how your graduation GPA is calculated, contact your Faculty or School.

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Guests at the Ceremony

Tickets are not required for guests and is there is no limit on the number who may attend.

Doors for rush seating open one hour prior to the start of each ceremony (8:30 a.m. for morning ceremonies and 1:30 p.m for afternoon ceremonies). Please note that food and drinks are NOT permitted in the gymnasium during ceremonies.

For those who require special seating accommodation (e.g. wheelchair access), there are designated areas at the top of the bleachers on both the north and south sides of the gymnasium.  Enter the (track level) north doors of the lst Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness (by Tim Horton’s) and follow the signs indicating “Convocation Entrance”. There is also a family room (PE264) where guests with small children can watch the ceremony.

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Distribution of Academic Regalia

There is no charge for the use of regalia for convocation; however, regalia must be returned on the day of your ceremony. Failure to return regalia will result in full replacement cost being assessed, a financial hold placed on your account and official transcripts being withheld.

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Dress Guidelines for Graduands

The length of the academic gown is at mid-calf. The cap (mortarboard) is worn squarely on the head with the tassel to the right and the deep part of the crown at the back. The hood should be worn with the subject colour sitting on top of the shoulders so the material lies smoothly.

Please note the following guidelines:

• Shoes and other visible apparel worn by graduands should be dark in colour so that they harmonize with the academic regalia. Nothing else should be worn on the academic gown.

• Shorts, casual footwear (e.g., flip flops), and long dresses are not appropriate for or the ceremony.

• The regalia cap (mortarboard) is the only appropriate headwear for the ceremony.

• Comfortable shoes with low heels are recommended, as you are required to walk outside, as well as up and down the platform steps.

• Flowers are not permitted to be worn on the academic regalia and should be held in reserve for celebrations after the ceremony.

• Perfume and cologne are not recommended as many people, especially those with allergies, are sensitive to these substances.

• Do NOT bring purses, wallets, backpacks, laptops or other valuables to the Graduand Assembly in the Students’ Union Ballroom.

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Graduation Photographs

For a limited time during the Fall and Spring semesters, the Students' Union provides photo services on campus, which include a variety of pose and package options as well as the provision of full regalia. Contact the Students' Union to make an appointment.

There are two opportunities for professional photographs on convocation day.

During the conferral process, you will be photographed shaking hands with the Chancellor of the University of Lethbridge. You will be provided with the opportunity to view and order these photographs online after 12:00 noon on the day following your ceremony. Further information will be provided on the day of your ceremony.

The Students' Union will offer a professional sit-down photo service immediately after your ceremony outside of the gymnasium on Level 2 of the 1st Choice Savings Centre. You will be able to view the proofs electronically and make your selections. No appointments are necessary as it operates on a first-come first-served basis.

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The Bookstore

Your University Bookstore will be onsite at this year’s graduation. Make your memories of the U of L last with our great selection of memorabilia and swag. We will have our grad ring specialists on site to assist you with the purchase of a commemorative ring that is unique to you.

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Convocation Flowers

Fresh flowers will be available for purchase at the University of Lethbridge Convocation Ceremonies or are available for pre-order.

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Parchment Framing

The University of Lethbridge Alumni Association will provide a parchment-framing service following your ceremony. Parchments will be framed in one of seven high quality, Canadian-made frames, each with an acid-free mat featuring the University of Lethbridge shield. Proceeds help support the ongoing activities and services of the Alumni Association. To view or preorder a frame, visit the Alumni website.

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Alumni Association

Congratulations! Upon graduation, you will become an official member of the University of Lethbridge Alumni Association. Visit our website to learn about the Alumni Association and the many benefits of membership.

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Looking for Work?

Career and Employment Services (CES) continues to provide services after you graduate. You will have access to all the services available to current UofL students and a graduate employment registry that will keep you informed of job postings and other relevant information. To register for Graduate Employment Services (GES), visit our website or contact us for more information.

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Directions to Campus

If you have guests who need directions, or if you are attending the ceremony from another campus, please refer to our directions to Lethbridge and to the event signage for parking, entrance, and building locations. Graduands should follow the signs to the Students' Union Ballroom, while guests should go directly to the 1st Choice Savings Centre gymnasium (level 2 entrance). Contact us in advance if you have any questions. If you need help when you arrive, please ask the guides at the main doors or other volunteers for assistance.

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Conference & Event Services - We’re here for U!

Share the student experience with your family and friends.Fully equipped hotel style apartment suites and town home units are available on campus during Convocation. Rates start as low as $73.00 per night and are subject to applicable taxes. Please visit our website www.uleth.ca/conference or contact us for more information at 403-329-2244. For additional information on Lethbridge, please visit www.visitlethbridge.com.

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View Convocation Online

The University of Lethbridge provides a live webcast of all convocation ceremonies. Anyone who cannot attend convocation, but would like to be a part of the day, can follow along with the ceremony as it's happening! A few weeks after the ceremony we will also provide video footage of each ceremony.

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