Ceremony instructions

Although graduands will receive detailed instructions at the mandatory orientation session prior to their ceremony, the following information is a general outline.

All graduands will leave the SUB Ballroom as a group no later than 30 minutes prior to the ceremony to line up in the proper order and process to the ceremony. Graduands walk in pairs, by number. 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 and regalia from the Alberta Alumni Recreation Centre prior to orientation.

For the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree recipients, tassel dangles on the left side of the cap. (This will move to the right side of the cap after your photograph has been taken and after leaving the stage.) The top of the cap should rest flat on the head. Those receiving their PhDs will wear a beefeater tam.

The piper will lead the Marshals and graduands in a procession from the Mackay Promenade to The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER. Graduands will be greeted by the Honour Guard at the fourth-floor entrance. The Marshals will lead graduands into the performance hall, followed by the Honour Guard and then the Platform Party.

Conferring of degrees

After some preliminary words, the campus orator announces, "Candidates for the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy, Master’s and Bachelor’s will stand for the Supplication, Presentation and Admission.”

Graduands will stand in unison until completion of the presentation (an exchange, in Latin, between the Orator and the President). Then the Orator will begin with doctorate graduands and announce, “Candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy please proceed onto the dais for individual acceptance. All other candidates, you may be seated.”

Graduands in the front row ONLY remain standing in readiness to move forward to the stage; other graduands remain seated. Front row graduands 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 graduand will climb the ramp and present the card to the Orator, who does not return it.

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

When the Orator reads the graduands’ names, they move across the stage, acknowledging the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick with a nod, if in attendance. Graduands proceed to the far side of the stage to receive their degree parchments.

Graduates will stand beside their dean (or representative) to accept their degree parchments. (If you prefer not to shake hands, please place your hand, palm side down, on the left side of your chest.) Pause for a photograph to be taken by the UNB photographer.

After Bachelor’s and Master’s graduates exit the stage, the tassel is moved to the right side of the cap. The right side of the hood is opened so the entire hood is shown.

Concurrent degree graduates

Graduands receiving more than one degree at a given ceremony should make themselves known to the Marshal at the orientation session. The Marshal will provide you with specific instructions regarding receiving your second degree.

If a graduand is receiving two degrees and those degrees are being granted at different ceremonies, the graduand has the option to attend either or both ceremonies.

Concurrent degree graduands planning to attend are asked to contact the Registrar’s Office by phone, (506) 453-4864, or email grads@unb.ca, in addition to filling out the application to graduate form. This will ensure that you have access to guest tickets for the appropriate ceremonies.