Ceremony instructions
Although graduates will receive detailed instructions at the convocation rehearsal on Thursday, May 18 at 5 p.m. in the Hazen Hall Lecture Theatre, the following information is a general outline.
All graduates will gather in the Quad on Friday, May 19, no later than 1 p.m., to line up in the proper order and process to the ceremony. Graduates walk in pairs, by number. You must ensure you bring your parade card with you. You will receive this at the rehearsal.
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.
For the procession, the piper will lead the Associated Alumni Honour Guard, followed by the Student Marshals and Graduates, then the Faculty and Platform Party. The procession will proceed from the Quad to the G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre.
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 his or her card. Each graduate will climb the stairs 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 Student Marshal and proceed to the foot of the stairs of 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 with a nod, if in attendance. 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.
Graduates will stand beside their dean (or representative) to accept their parchments. Pause for a photograph to be taken by the UNB photographer.
As 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
Graduates receiving more than one degree at a given ceremony should make themselves known to the Student Marshals at the rehearsal. They will provide you with specific instructions regarding receiving your second degree.
Concurrent degree graduates will require two hoods – one for each degree. Concurrent degree graduates may place a rental order through the regalia rental site for the first degree (gown, hood, cap) and contact graduation@unb.ca to arrange for a second hood at no additional charge. The graduate will pick up both hoods at the same time but must return all rental regalia immediately following the ceremony. If both hoods are not returned with the gown, graduates will be responsible for paying replacement costs.
Class composite in Saint John
When you applied to graduate you were asked to extend permission for UNB to list your name in graduation collateral, both online and in print. If you did not give consent, this also extends to not allowing your grad photo to be placed in the class composite*, a grad photo display created by Photography Flewwelling and hung in Hazen Hall. Following Fall graduation, those who did not give consent will receive an email from the Registrar’s Office asking for confirmation on placement in the composite. Please watch for the email and respond accordingly.
