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Convocation Ceremony – Overview
Graduates of John Abbott College who completed their studies in summer 2016, fall 2016 or winter 2017 are invited to attend their graduation ceremony at John Abbott College on June 8, 2017. All guests must be seated before the procession begins at 6:20 p.m. sharp, with the ceremony starting at 6:30 p.m.
The ceremony will be held outside on the Oval in front of the Herzberg Building if the weather is nice. If it rains, the ceremony will take place in the Casgrain Building gymnasium and there will be two air-conditioned locations in the College where the ceremony will be broadcast live.
After the ceremony, graduates and their guests are invited to a reception. Convocation generally lasts about 3 hours, including the reception.
Please note that by attending this event, you understand that photos will be taken, and that the College may use them in any future publications.
Convocation Questions/Answers
When is Convocation?
Each June, John Abbott College holds a Convocation ceremony to present ceremonial certificates to its graduating students. Family, friends and faculty are welcome to attend these joyous events and join graduates as they celebrate and receive recognition for their academic achievements.
This year, Convocation will take place on Thursday, June 8, 2017. The procession of academic staff and graduates will begin at 6:20 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. It is very important that graduates arrive before 5:15 p.m. at the latest to pick up their cap and gown and to be marshalled correctly into the procession order.
Who can attend Convocation?
Graduates of John Abbott College who completed their studies in summer 2016, fall 2016 or winter 2017 will receive an invitation to attend Convocation from the Registrar’s Office in April.
Potential graduates of winter 2017 who find they must take additional courses to fulfill their program requirements will not be eligible to participate in this year’s Convocation ceremony.
How do I inform the College that I plan to attend?
Invitations are mailed out in April to the home address as indicated in Omnivox. The invitation contains a link to pay on-line via credit card. It is recommended that you print a copy of the receipt for your files. The deadline to confirm your attendance is May 15. All graduates who pay by the May 15 deadline are guaranteed 2 guests admission to the Casgrain gymnasium (should the event be moved indoors).
Please note it is possible that NO TICKETS will be available for the gym unless you have paid the Convocation Ceremony fee by the May 15 deadline.
If you are a graduate (not a guest) that has mobility concerns (i.e.: wheelchair, crutches, cane, etc.) please contact Kathy De Laurentis at 514-457-6610 extension 5265. A member of the Convocation Committee will be in contact with you to make arrangements for Convocation Day.
Please note that by attending this event, you understand that photos will be taken, and that the College may use them in any future publications.
Where is the ceremony held?
The ceremony is held outside on the Oval in front of the Herzberg building if the weather is nice. If it is raining the ceremony is held in the Casgrain building gymnasium with two air-conditioned locations in the College where the ceremony will be broadcast live. Please note that all of our venues are wheelchair accessible.
On the morning of Convocation, an announcement will be posted on the John Abbott website, the John Abbott Portal and a Twitter announcement will be made as to the location (Oval or Gymnasium) of that evening’s ceremony.
Do I need a ticket for the ceremony?
No. Graduates do not require a ticket.
How many guests can I bring?
Maximum 4.
If the ceremony has to be moved indoors due to weather conditions; there are fire code regulations that must be followed, a maximum of 2 guests per student will be permitted in the Casgrain gymnasium and tickets are required for entry to the gym. Up to 2 additional guests per student will be able to watch the broadcast of the ceremony from the comfort of two air conditioned locations at the College.
Do my guests need tickets?
Yes.
If the ceremony has to be moved indoors due to weather conditions; there are fire code regulations that must be followed, a maximum of 2 guests per student will be permitted in the Casgrain gymnasium and tickets are required for entry to the gym. Up to 2 additional guests per student will be able to watch the broadcast of the ceremony from the comfort of two air conditioned locations at the College.
Please note it is possible that NO TICKETS will be available for the gym unless you have paid the Convocation Ceremony Fee by the May 15th deadline.
On Monday, June 5, your reserved tickets will be available for pick-up at the Registrar’s Office between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – tickets will not be distributed outside of these hours. If you wish for someone else to collect your tickets, please provide that person with your JAC student card. They will be required to present your JAC student ID card in order to collect the tickets.
If you are not able to collect your reserved tickets on June 5, they will be given to you when you pick up your cap and gown at Convocation (June 8) starting at 4:30 p.m. in the Agora. Please note that no other arrangements are possible.
I have a large family – is there a waiting list for additional tickets?
No.
If the ceremony has to be moved indoors due to weather conditions; there are fire code regulations that must be followed, a maximum of 2 guests per student will be permitted in the Casgrain gymnasium and tickets are required for entry to the gym. Up to 2 additional guests per student will be able to watch the broadcast of the ceremony from the comfort of two air conditioned locations at the College.
Must I remain for the entire ceremony?
Yes, out of respect for your fellow graduates please remain in your seat until the end of the ceremony.
How long is the ceremony?
The ceremony will last approximately 2.5 hours and graduates and guests are asked to stay until the end of the ceremony to prevent any disruptions. The ceremony will be followed by a reception.
Will families and friends be able to buy flowers on-site to present to their graduates?
Yes, for your convenience, a local flower company will be on the premises with bouquets for sale.
May we take photographs during the ceremony?
Your guests may take photos but they must not obstruct anyone’s view or block the aisles or exits.
Do I have to wear an academic gown?
All graduates will wear a black gown and cap. These are picked up on the evening of convocation in the Agora. Later in the evening, after you have returned gown, you will be able to keep your cap and Graduating Class 2017 tassel as a souvenir.
What do I do after I have picked up my cap and gown?
When you pick up your cap and gown, you will be provided with a line-up card. This card lists your name, and program, and indicates your line-up order. All the graduates will be asked to congregate in the Agora. A member of the Registrar’s Office will call your row number and you will be instructed where to line up in preparation for the procession.
How do I know where to go on the evening of Convocation?
The invitation you will receive in April will explain when to arrive and where to go to pick up your cap and gown. When you pick up the cap and gown, you will also receive a line-up card with your name and program on it as well as your line-up order. This card is very important. You must have it with you when you approach the stage (see below). Your name, as it appears on the line-up card will be announced by the convocation reader as you cross the stage.
How will I know when it is my turn to walk on stage?
A marshal will instruct you when it is your turn to go on stage. You will present the line-up card you received when you collected your cap and gown to the convocation reader who will announce your name. You will then walk across the stage and shake the hand of the Director General who will give you your ceremonial certificate. You will then continue across the stage and exit from the opposite side. You will be directed to proceed immediately back to your seat and to remain seated until all of your fellow graduates have received their certificates.
How do I return the cap and gown?
Your cap and gown must be returned to the Agora immediately after the ceremony. If you fail to return your cap and gown, you will be charged $250.
Is the ceremonial certificate I receive at convocation my official DEC diploma?
No.
The ceremonial certificate you receive at convocation is a ceremonial certificate prepared by the college for your graduating class. For DEC graduates, your official diploma that is issued from the Ministry of Education will be received at the college approximately 6 months after you have graduated. For Continuing Education, AEC graduates, you will have already received your attestation from the college.
How do I receive my official DEC diploma?
It can take up to six months before the college receives the DEC diploma from the Ministry of Education. As soon as the college receives your DEC diploma from the Ministry of Education you will be mailed a letter from the Registrar’s Office (a copy of the letter will also appear in your Omnivox account). It is important to keep your address up-to-date in your Omnivox account after graduation so that we can communicate this information to you. You may pick up your diploma or we will mail it to you upon request (accompanied with the required processing fee as indicated in the letter).
For Continuing Education, AEC graduates, you will have already received your attestation from the college.
What if I do not attend the ceremony?
If you do not attend the ceremony but wish to receive your ceremonial certificate and a souvenir copy of the Convocation Program, you must make your payment online. The Convocation package will be mailed out to graduates 1 to 2 weeks after the ceremony. On-line orders will be accepted until June 30.
May I still attend Convocation if I fail a course?
No.
You will receive an MIO advising you that you are no longer eligible to attend Convocation and you will be issued a refund.
If I take a course in June 2017 to finish my program, may I still attend Convocation?
No.
Only graduates of John Abbott College who completed their studies in summer 2016, fall 2016 or winter 2017 may attend.
When can I have my graduation photo done?
Student Activities organizes graduation photos. This year, photo sessions are being held on April 3rd and April 5th. Please go to Student Activities (H-159) to book your photo session.
Convocation Day Information
On the morning of Convocation, an announcement will be posted on the John Abbott website, on the John Abbott Portal and a Twitter announcement will be made as to the location (Oval or Gymnasium) of that evening’s ceremony.
Graduates are to report to the Agora starting at 4:30 p.m. to pick up their cap, gown and line-up card. As the proceedings are lengthy, graduates are advised to eat before arriving.
Starting at 5:40 p.m. in the Agora, a member of the Registrar’s Office will call out the graduates’ line-up number in processional order within your program. The graduates are provided with their line-up number when they pick up their cap and gown. Graduates will line up as instructed by the academic marshals.
Faculty members are asked to assemble outside the Staff Lounge H-101, no later than 5:45 p.m. At the directed time, as directed by an academic marshal, the academic party will lead the processional into the Convocation area. Dais guests will be directed to take their places on stage. All other attending faculty and staff will be directed to the faculty seating area. All will remain standing until after the singing of the national anthem.
Following the entrance of the academic party, graduates will march into the graduate seating area accompanied by the strains of traditional processional music. During the procession, march briskly and follow the instructions of your academic marshal. Remain standing in front of your seats until after the singing of the national anthem. You will be directed when it is time to sit down.
Graduates should wear their caps at all times except during the singing of the national anthem, when the gentlemen are asked to remove theirs. The correct way to wear a cap is to have the larger part of the skull of the cap at the back of the head, with the top board parallel to the ground. The tassel should be worn on the right side of the cap until the student receives their ceremonial certificate, when it will be moved over to the left side.
During the presentation of the certificates, the Director General will shake hands with each graduate and the Academic Dean will present the graduate with their ceremonial certificate.
The ceremony generally lasts for 2 hours after which the graduates and audience are requested to remain in place until the platform party has left the stage. The audience will continue to remain in place while academic marshals lead the faculty, followed by the graduates, away in the recessional accompanied by the strains of traditional recessional music. The reception will take place thereafter. All participants and their guests are invited to attend.
During the presentation of the certificates, the Director General will shake hands with each graduate and the Academic Dean will present the graduate with their ceremonial certificate.
The ceremony generally lasts for 2 hours after which the graduates and audience are requested to remain in place until the platform party has left the stage. The audience will continue to remain in place while academic marshals lead the faculty, followed by the graduates, away in the recessional accompanied by the strains of traditional recessional music. The reception will take place thereafter. All participants and their guests are invited to attend.
