A group six graduates in their gowns pose for a selfie

Convocation

When will my convocation ceremony take place?

With many so many unknowns regarding large gatherings taking place in 2021, we are unable to provide information on when the ceremony will be and whether it will held virtually or in person. Once final decisions have been made, all graduates will be notified and next steps will be outlined accordingly. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to plan how we will be celebrating our graduates.

How do I get my credential?

Credentials will be released at the beginning of February 2021. Graduates will receive an email in January asking to complete a mailing address form. This must be completed in order to have your credential sent. There will not be an option to pick credentials up at any of the campuses as we are working remotely.

How can I show I am a graduate if I do not have my credential?

Once you have been deemed a graduate, a letter confirming your graduation status and a PDF version of your transcript will be automatically uploaded to the document hub on the student portal.

On this page:

Apply to graduate
Bear Essentials
Commemorative convocation T-shirts
Book your graduation portrait
GeorgianCollegeConvocation.ca

Information for students

TO RECEIVE YOUR CREDENTIAL, YOU MUST APPLY TO GRADUATE WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO ATTEND CONVOCATION OR NOT.

Students in their last semester of study including classes, co-op, Praxis or internship should request to graduate.

Students who wish to attend a convocation ceremony, must attend the ceremony that aligns with the date they were deemed a graduate. Students are not permitted to attend future convocation ceremonies.

How to apply to graduate

  1. Log in to Banner
  2. Select “View academic records and fee account details”
  3. Select “Apply to graduate”
  4. Select the final term of study using the drop down menu and click submit
  5. Select curriculum
  6. Select the program that you will be graduating from
  7. Ensure your personal information is correct as this information is used to produce your credential

If you’re a part-time or continuing education student requesting your credential, please email the convocation team to complete a paper application.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I miss the deadline to apply to graduate?Georgian College Chevron

Students who miss the deadline are still required to apply to graduate when the application site reopens as per the dates above.

What happens after I apply to graduate?Georgian College Chevron

All applications are entered into our convocation queue to be reviewed at the end of the term. Applications are reviewed individually to ensure all requirements have been met. Due to the high volume of applications received, this process can take up to six weeks once the term has ended.

Ensure all outstanding fees and fines are paid in full, and all outstanding book/equipment rentals have been cleared. If you owe fees or parking fines, or if you have outstanding rentals or library books, you may attend the convocation ceremony, but we are not able to release your credential or transcript until your account has been cleared. In addition, we cannot produce an enrolment letter or release your name to an external third party (e.g., for board exams).

How do I invite familiar and friends to the convocation ceremony?Georgian College Chevron

Graduates are able to bring as many guests as they would like to the convocation ceremonies. Guests do not require tickets.

Where can I have my graduation photos taken?Georgian College Chevron

The Georgian College Students’ Association (GCSA) invites Lassman Studios on campus for portrait sittings in advance of convocation. Please visit Lassman Studios Photography and enter Georgian as your school ID to book your photo session.

For information about summer 2020 graduation photos, read this article on the student portal.

Policies

Georgian College convocation late arrival policy

Graduate procession will begin on time for all convocation ceremonies. Once the procession has begun, any late arrivals will wait in a designated area until the procession is complete and all students are seated.

Event staff will permit late arrivals to participate in the ceremony, provided they arrive no later than 45 minutes after the start of the ceremony. Late arrivals will be registered, gowned and escorted to seats on the ice pad at 15, 30, and 45 minutes intervals from the ceremony start time. Any student arriving later than 45 minutes past ceremony start will not be permitted to cross the stage. Alternate options may be provided, and students will have the ability to obtain their credential.

Late arrivals will be ushered to the side entrance of the ice pad where platform party and faculty enter. These graduates will be seated behind the last group of students in the third section of seats, and will cross the stage last.

 Arrival procedures

Graduates are asked to arrive 60 minutes before the scheduled ceremony time. Upon your arrival at the Sadlon Arena, signs and staff will direct you to the registration area. Registration and gowning will take place in the Horsepower Grill. You will then receive your gown and line up for the procession into the graduate seating area. There is no charge for your gown rental. The gowning area will not be secured and we cannot guarantee the safety of your personal possessions. We strongly advise that you do not bring purses, hats or valuables with you to the gowning area. Instead, please leave these articles with your guests. Please note: Guests and family (including children) are not allowed to accompany graduates into the gowning or graduate seating areas. Your family and guests will be directed to the public seating area and you may reconnect with them at the completion of the ceremony.

After the ceremony

Your ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours. We ask graduates and guests to be considerate and remain seated for the duration of the ceremony. Please ensure that your gown is returned promptly to the gowning area after you have taken photos with your friends and family. Once your gown has been returned, you will receive your credential.

Information for guests

Tickets and seating

Graduates are able to bring as many guests as they would like to the convocation ceremonies. Guests do not require tickets. Seating is first come, first served.

Arrival time

Doors open one hour prior to the scheduled start time. Guests should be seated no less than 15 minutes prior to the start time. Guests who arrive late may be asked to wait to be seated if the ceremony has begun.

Accessibility

We will do our best to accommodate your needs upon your arrival. Our facilities are wheelchair accessible.

Children

A typical ceremony lasts approximately two hours in which young children may find it difficult to sit quietly for the duration. Children who are attending must be supervised by an adult in the audience. Children are not permitted to sit with the graduating student, nor are they permitted to cross the stage with the graduating student.

Food and drinks

Food and drinks are not permitted in the convocation ceremony, with the exception of bottled water. You are invited to the Alumni reception following the ceremony where light refreshments will be available.

Graduate shaking President's hand
Indigenous drummer

Flowers, gifts and diploma frames

Surprise your graduate with a bouquet of flowers. Flowers are available for purchase at all convocation ceremonies. You may also purchase flowers online in advance for the convocation ceremonies through Convocation Flowers, one of our Alumni Association partners.

Bear Essentials has a great selection of clothing, grad rings, gifts and diploma frames available for purchase.

Order flowers
Shop for graduation gifts

Ceremony dates and times

Ceremony information will be updated once it becomes available

A woman wearing a graduation gown walks across the stage smiling, with her arms raised

Live streaming

Attend the convocation ceremony virtually

We stream our convocation ceremonies so that loved ones near and far who cannot attend in person can watch their graduate cross the stage.

Live stream the convocation ceremony
Watch past ceremonies on our YouTube channel playlist

At Georgian College, we respect the need to protect personal information. Pursuant to section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), students’ images, names, program, degree/diploma/certificate earned and year of graduation as they appear in convocation programs and in webcasts are considered public information. Participants acknowledge that by attending convocation, their image and/or voice may be captured by photograph, videotape, audiotape, live webcasting and otherwise reproduced during the ceremonies. This personal information is collected under the legal authority of the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002 and in accordance with Sections 38(2) and 41(1) of FIPPA.

Personal information will be broadcast through live webcasting for the purpose of enabling individuals who are unable to attend convocation to view the ceremonies. Any information captured through photograph, videotape or audiotape may be used for promotional, administrative, educational or research purposes. Personal information may be disclosed to outside service providers for processing and production. If you have any questions about the collection of personal information by Georgian College during convocation, please contact the Office of the Registrar by telephone at 705.728.1968 or email. For more information about FIPPA, please contact Georgian’s Access and Privacy Office by telephone at 705.728.1968, ext. 5770 or by email.

Contact us

Georgian’s convocation team supports students through the graduation and convocation process and creates a celebratory ceremony at which graduates are recognized for their academic achievements.

Office of the Registrar
c/o Convocation and Graduation
One Georgian Dr.
Barrie, ON L4M 3X9

705.728.1968, ext. 1727
convocation@georgiancollege.ca