AS THE UNIVERSITY PREPARES TO WELCOME GRADUATES AND THEIR FAMILIES IN JUNE, CLEARER COMMUNICATION COULD EASE THE TRANSITION FROM STUDENT TO GRADUATE
Convocation ceremonies are approaching quickly and will take place between June 8 and June 12 this year, with exact dates and times depending on each student’s faculty, degree and program. But many students are facing the same problem: graduation information is scattered across multiple websites and emails, leaving students unsure about the technical requirements, ceremonies, and fees involved in finishing their degree.
With applications for graduation approaching soon, this confusion can create real barriers.
“I have no idea how to graduate,” says Nicole Meouch, a fifth-year biotechnology student at the University of Ottawa. After years of online classes and constantly changing academic procedures during the pandemic, Meouch emphasizes the stress of finishing her final semester, while trying to navigate confusing graduation guidelines and preparations.
That uncertainty extends beyond the ceremony itself. With a competitive job market and rising economic pressures, many students are stepping off the stage without a clear path forward. Shea Gordon-McIntosh admits “I’m scared because I don’t know if there’s a job that I want,” but adds that she’s “excited to have no plan and figure things out.”
So where do students even begin? Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know.
What are the steps
The first step is to apply for graduation. This can be done through uoZone by selecting the Apply For Graduation option under the Applications tab. A step-by-step instructional video is also available through uoZone to guide students through the process, when the graduation portal opens. It’s important to note that students graduating with multiple degrees must submit a separate application for each degree.
Before applying, students should make sure they meet all graduation requirements. To check this, log in to uoZone and select My Academic Requirements under the Applications tab. On this page, open the drop-down menu labeled Total Units Summary. This section lists the total number of units required for your degree and how many remain. Students graduating this spring should see 0 units remaining.
For students that are concerned about having remaining units and not making the graduation requirements they should book a meeting with an academic advisor to discuss options.
The University of Ottawa only holds one convocation ceremony a year, so those who finish classes in the summer or fall semesters must wait until June to receive their diplomas. If students require proof of finishing their degree before June, they can request for official documents such as their transcript, or a copy of their diploma through uoZone.
Important preparations to keep in mind
Students graduating also must wear the gown and hood for the convocation ceremony, and each degree has their respective gown and hood. Gown and hood rentals are $85 if you purchase online beforehand, otherwise they are $120 on convocation day. After purchase graduates are allowed to keep the gowns for up to 45 minutes after the ceremony for the opportunity to take pictures before they must return them
Normally each graduate gets two tickets for any family members or friends, but they are free, and graduates don’t need a ticket. However, the exact number of tickets is not confirmed, and is set to be announced only two weeks prior to the convocation ceremony.
Seating is not assigned, so guests will be seated upon a first come first serve basis. Although, for those who don’t get a ticket, a livestream of the ceremony will be available through the uOttawa YouTube channel.
Preparing for the day-of
There are several options available for graduation photos, both before and during convocation. On the day of the ceremony, a professional photographer will be on site to take photos of graduates backstage, as well as in a photo booth set up after the ceremony for pictures with friends and family. These photos will be available for purchase through the PhotoGrad website.
Otherwise, students can choose to book professional portraits in advance at the University Centre, with appointments available through the Portraits Now website. There are also many local photographers that do graduation photos, such as Capture Ottawa.
Accommodations and dining options can be sparse when downtown is packed with graduates and families out to celebrate. Numerous accommodations and dining options near the Rogers Centre are available for graduates and their guests to enjoy, but booking in reservations in advance is key to secure a spot. Due to such high demand, the University of Ottawa also opens its residence buildings to families and visitors who need a place to stay, with discounted bookings available through the University’s housing website using the code SAFF25. Many of the residences are within 5-15 minutes walking distance of the Rogers Centre, making them a convenient option.
Several nearby hotel options include Les Suites, McGee’s Inn, Le Germain, AC Hotel Downtown Ottawa, and the Holiday Inn Express, all of which currently have open bookings. The ByWard Market and Elgin Street both offer a wide variety of restaurants and are approximately a 10-minute walk from the Rogers Centre, but 1 Elgin in the National Art Centre offers a beautiful view of the canal, while Starling Restaurant in the Byward market has a nice view from their rooftop patio.
Convocation day arrives
On the day of graduation, students must arrive at the Rogers Centre at least 90 minutes before their ceremony begins. This is key, because those who arrive less than 45 minutes before the start time will not be seated with the rest of the graduates from their degree.
Although the convocation is in the heart of downtown, several parking options are available, including the Rideau Centre garage at $6/hour. Free parking is offered in select campus garages during convocation, including Brooks, Desmarais, and 45 Mann. Additional options include free outdoor parking at 100 Marie Curie and street parking in the Sandy Hill neighborhood.
Upon arrival, graduates will receive a personal identification ticket, along with their gown and hood. The ceremony lasts approximately two and a half hours, and flowers, frames, and University of Ottawa rings for all programs will be available for purchase on site.
Students who are concerned about the pronunciation of their name will have the opportunity to submit a phonetic spelling when they register for graduation. This information is used during the ceremony to help ensure names are pronounced correctly when students cross the stage.
Potential distinctions depend on a student’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA), including cum laude (with honour, 7.0-7.99), magna cum laude (with great honour, CGPA 8.0-8.99), or summa cum laude (with highest honour, CGPA of 9.00-10). There is also a chance to receive the Governor General’s Silver Medals – undergraduate level, a Canada-wide award given to students who have obtained the highest CGPA in an honours bachelor or equivalent program. At the University of Ottawa three medals are given, one for a student in the humanities, one for a student in the sciences, and the third recipient alternates between the sciences and humanities each year. Faculties are invited to award one gold and two silver medals to its’ top students, as well as plaques to the graduates with the highest CGPA in their respective disciplines.
It’s important that students ensure they have no outstanding fees with the University, because students with unpaid balances will not receive their diploma, transcript, or any official university documents until those fees are cleared. Concerns about making payments and meeting financial requirements should be directed to InfoService.
The University of Ottawa only holds one convocation ceremony a year, so those who finish classes in the summer or fall semesters must wait until June to receive their diplomas. If students require proof of finishing their degree before June, they can request for official documents such as their transcript, or a copy of their diploma through uoZone.
As the University prepares to welcome graduates and their families in June, clearer communication could ease the transition from student to graduate. In the meantime, students with unanswered questions about their graduation should reach out to InfoService or their faculty’s academic advisors. Finding answers early-on can prevent last-minute complications and ensure everyone can focus on celebrating their accomplishments.
