Graduates
Your Convocation Day Checklist
✅ Check your ceremony time and view your program.
✅ Pick your outfit accordingly - what you are wearing underneath your gown will show (less for doctoral gowns), so don't be afraid to dress up. Suits or sports jackets and ties, dresses and dress pants are all good choices. When considering footwear, know that you will be going up and down stairs next to the stage and high heel shoes may be unsafe.
✅ Doors will open for graduates two hours before your ceremony start time and you should arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. for a morning ceremony and 1:45 p.m. for an afternoon ceremony.
✅ Once you've arrived at Canada Life Place, pickup your Call Card. You will need your Western ONECard or government-issued photo ID to enter Canada Life Place and get your Call Card and regalia.
✅ After picking up your Call Card, pick up your Regalia and head to your lineup location.
✅ You will be given instructions regarding the procession before crossing the stage.
✅ After crossing the stage, you will receive your degree and head back to your seat. Out of respect for everyone involved in the ceremony, it is expected that all grads and guests remain in their seats until convocation has been dismissed by the Chancellor.
✅ Once your ceremony is done, return your Regalia by no later than 7:00 p.m. to either of the designated drop off locations at Canada Life Place or the Dellelce Family Bookstore.
✅ Retrieve your free 5x7 photos online.
Important Details About Your Convocation Day
Regalia
Regalia Pickup
- Pickup your regalia for your morning ceremony beginning at 8:00 a.m. at Canada Life Place.
- Pickup your regalia for your afternoon ceremony beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Canada Life Place.
- You will need your Western ONECard or government-issued photo ID to pick up your Regalia.
- Graduates must rent regalia on-site if they did not preorder.
Regalia Dropoff
- After the ceremony, you can return your regalia at Canada Life Place, Gate 4 by 7:00 p.m.
- Alternatively, if you'd like to take your time, capture memorable photos on campus, you may return your regalia later at the Dellelce Family Bookstore during store hours or at the drop-off box outside the store after 7:00 p.m.
Regalia Exemptions
All graduates must cross the stage wearing regalia, however exemptions can be made in the following instances:
- Indigenous students who may opt to wear traditional regalia;
- Active military personnel who may opt to wear their dress uniform;
- Clergy/members of religious orders who may opt to wear their religious apparel.
For questions, please reach out to the Convocation Team.
Lineup, Crossing the Stage & Ceremony
Lineup
- Your lineup location is inside Canada Life Place. Volunteers will guide you there upon arrival.
- You shouldn't bring anything with you in to the ceremony. Please leave your belongings with your guests, as you will not return to the same seat once you cross the stage. Do not leave your belongings at your line-up location.
- You should be at your line up location no later than 8:45 a.m. for morning ceremonies and 1:45 p.m. for afternoon ceremonies.
- When in line, you may you may have an opportunity to speak with a Name Reader about the pronunciation of your name.
Crossing the Stage
- PhD candidates will be hooded on stage. All Masters and Undergraduate candidates will cross the stage already hooded. Candidates for Diplomas and Certificates will also be congratulated by the President and Chancellor, these candidates may wear a previously earned academic hood.
Ceremony
- If you are earning two degrees (a dual degree) that are being awarded at different convocation ceremonies, you may cross the stage in one or both ceremonies. Both diplomas will be given to you at the first ceremony you participate in.
- If you are earning two academic credentials that are being awarded at the same Convocation ceremony, you may only cross the stage once during that ceremony. Both academic credentials will be given to you at the ceremony
- This is an event to honour each graduate's accomplishments. You are expected to conduct yourself with decorum and in a mature and responsible manner. No photos are to be taken on the stage (i.e., no selfies or selfie sticks).
- Graduates are expected to stay for the duration of their ceremony. The ceremonies will be approximately two hours in length.
- If you have an emergency or require additional support, please find one of the many volunteers and they will assist you with your questions or engage the appropriate personnel to offer support.
Ceremony Dates & Program
Diploma Frames & Free Tassel
Pick up a diploma frame at Canada Life Place (Gate 4) or at the Dellelce Family Bookstore (lower level, UCC). While you’re there, don’t forget to grab a FREE tassel—while supplies last! View store hours here.
Photography
Getting your Free 5x7 Photo if you Pre-Registered
- Students who preregistered for a photo will receive an email from GradImages with a Promotional Code and Customer Number to log in with.
- Open the email and select "View Photos".
- Log in with your Customer Number (located in the email) and select: "Find My Photos".
- Choose your photo and apply the Promotional Code (located in the email) at checkout. The promotional code doesn't cover the cose of shipping.
Getting your Free 5x7 Photo if you Didn't Pre-Register
If you didn’t pre-register for graduation photos, you won’t receive a promotional code. However, you can still view and download your photos by visiting www.gradimages.ca.
- Go to the GradImages Website
- Log in using your last name, school name (Western University), and your graduation year
For additional help, contact GradImages at ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.
Free Photography After the Ceremony
Complimentary professional photos with instant downloads will be available on your Convocation Day.
June 9
- UC Hill: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Canada Life Place: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
June 10 to 13
- UC Hill: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Canada Life Place: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
