Ceremony instructions

Although graduates will receive detailed instructions at the mandatory orientation session on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 3:30 p.m. in the SUB Ballroom, the following information is a general outline.

All graduates will leave the SUB Ballroom as a group no later than 4 p.m. to line up in the proper order and process to the ceremony. Graduates walk in pairs, by number (Marshals are present to assist with this). You must ensure you bring your parade card with you as these cards ensure your proper location in the procession. You will have picked up the parade card from the Alberta Alumni Recreation Centre prior to orientation.

The tassel dangles on the left side of the cap. The top of the cap should rest flat on the head. Undergraduate hoods are worn with the colour showing only on the left shoulder. Hoods for higher degrees are carried on the left arm. Students receiving more than one degree wear the hood for their first degree and carry the hood for their second degree on their left arm.

The piper will lead the Marshals and graduates in a procession from the Mackay Promenade to The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER. Graduates will be greeted by the Faculty and Staff Honour Guard at the 4th floor entrance. The Marshals will lead graduates into the performance hall, followed by the faculty and staff honour guard and then the Platform Party.

Conferring of degrees

After some preliminary words, the campus orator announces, "Supplicants for the xyz degree...will stand for presentation..."

Graduates in the stated degree stand in unison until completion of the presentation (an exchange, in Latin, between the Orator and the President).

The Orator announces, "You will now proceed to your assigned place for individual presentation and acceptance."

Graduates in the front row only remain standing in readiness to move forward to the stage; other graduates remain seated. Front row graduates advance to the left side of the aisle, in single file. The person in front of you should have a lower number on their card. Each graduate will climb the ramp and present the card to the Orator, who does not return it.

The second row graduates stand when they are directed to do so by the Marshal and proceed to the foot of the ramp to the stage. Subsequently other rows stand and proceed in turn.

When the Orator reads the graduates’ names, they move across the stage, acknowledging the Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, if attending, with a nod. Partway across the stage, the graduates will be hooded by Chancellor (if higher degree). Graduates proceed to the far side of the stage to receive their parchments.

Upon receiving the parchment from the respective Dean (or representative), the graduate must pause for a photograph to be taken by the UNB photographer.

The tassel is moved to the right side of the cap.