FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to register for Convocation? Where do I buy tickets?
• Do I need to rent a gown for Convocation?
• I’m a Durham student and/or I have a joint major/specialization – which ceremony do I belong to?
• What time do I need to arrive for my ceremony?
• Do I need to make arrangements for myself or a guest with accessibility needs?
• My relatives are international and require a VISA, how can I invite them to my convocation ceremony?
• How long are the ceremonies?
• Is there a fall Convocation ceremony?
• Can I borrow a gown and hood to take my own photos?
• I can’t find my student card! How do I sign in?
• What if I can’t attend Convocation? Will I still graduate? How do I get my degree?
• Are face masks required at Convocation?

Do I need to register for Convocation? Where do I buy tickets? 

• Our convocation ceremonies do not require formal tickets. All graduates must first apply to graduate, and then complete the RSVP form.

• An electronic invitation is available for graduates to download and use, if they please. The 2024 invitation will be available in early spring 2024.

Do I need to rent a gown for Convocation? 

• No, hoods and gowns are provided to graduates on the day of their ceremony.

I’m a Durham student and/or I have a joint major/specialization – which ceremony do I belong to? 

• When you apply to graduate, you will need to select which graduation group you want to be a part of. This will be the ceremony you will walk with during Convocation. As a joint major, you can choose which major group you would like to walk with. Graduating students with specializations or part of stream programs will walk with the major they are receiving.
• Durham students have their own ceremony at the Tribute Communities Centre. If you want to attend this ceremony, choose Durham as your graduation group in the Application to Graduate. If you prefer to attend in Peterborough, choose your major in the graduation group in the Application to Graduate.
• Make a note of what you choose (in case you forget!). If you have forgotten, contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@trentu.ca

What time do I need to arrive for my ceremony? 

• Come to the Student Centre at least 1 hour before your ceremony. Bring your student card! (If you don’t have it, bring photo ID). 

Do I need to make arrangements for myself or a guest with accessibility needs? 

• If you are a student with an accessibility concern, or you have a concern for a student, please contact the Convocation Office or Student Accessibility Services.

• For information on guest accessibility, please see below:

  • Parking: Accessible parking is provided in the lot closest to the Convocation ceremonies in front of Bata Library. Please identify yourself to the parking attendants. If you require mobility assistance devices such as a cane, walker or wheelchair, we highly recommend you bring it with you to convocation.

  • Accessible Guest Seating: Ushers in vests will assist guests at the ceremony site, either to get up the stairs to the seating area, or to accessible seating on the bridge level of the University Court. Accessible seating is covered by a tent and can be accessed by elevators in Champlain College (entrance by the Bookstore) and Bata Library. There are also shaded areas on the general seating level. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis.

  • Ceremonies are also broadcast in air-conditioned rooms in the Champlain College Lecture Hall 307, Stohn Hall in the Student Centre, and the Bata Library Film Theatre. These rooms are accessible.

• There is a sign language interpreter at many ceremonies. If you or your guests need to be close to the sign language interpreter please email convocation@trentu.ca.

My relatives are international and require a VISA, how can I invite them to my convocation ceremony?

• If your relatives are international and require a VISA to attend convocation, please visit our Guest Information webpage for more details.

How long are the ceremonies? 

• The ceremonies are between 1 – 1.5 hours. 

Is there a fall Convocation ceremony? 

• No, Trent only holds Convocation in June. Everyone that graduated in the fall or January are encouraged to attend the June ceremonies and their name will be included in the electronic program. 

Can I borrow a gown and hood to take my own photos? 

• Gown and hoods are available to rent year round from Conference services. There is a fee that covers the cost to maintain regalia. You can rent gowns (both undergraduate & graduate gowns) on Conferences Marketplace site. You will be first prompted to select the date you would like to pick-up your gown and then you will provide your student number & degree type. Conferences can be reached at conferences@trentu.ca or 705-748-1260. 

I can’t find my student card! How do I sign in? 

• If possible, you can go to the Card Office and get a replacement. Your student card becomes your Alumni card which gets you discounts, benefits, and services, so it’s worth replacing! If it’s too late to get a replacement for Convocation, simply bring government photo ID with you. 

What if I can’t attend Convocation? Will I still graduate? How do I get my degree? 

• You must complete the Application to Graduate to graduate, and receive confirmation from the Registrar’s Office, to graduate. If you are unable to attend Convocation, students should complete the Degree Mailing Address form that is available under the Academics tab of the myTrent portal. 

  • Students that graduate in the Spring (following the Winter term), can pick up their degree certificate at their Convocation ceremony from the Office of the Registrar (student or government ID necessary to pick up). Degree certificates will be mailed to those that completed the Degree Mailing Address form in the weeks following the ceremonies (if they did not pick up during Convocation).

  • Students that graduate in the Fall (following the Summer term) or the Winter (following the Fall term) are asked to complete the Degree Mailing Address form. Degree certificates are then mailed to these students a few weeks after their degree is conferred by the University Senate. Alternatively, they can wait to pick up their degree certificate at the next Convocation ceremonies.

  • Students do not complete the Degree Mailing Address form until after they receive confirmation that their degree has been conferred by the Senate of the University.

  • Degree certificates will only be held for a period of two years, after which students must request and pay for a replacement degree certificate. In addition, their degree certificate and official transcript will not be released if they have an outstanding balance owing to the University or have outstanding Library fines.

• Graduate Students please contact graduate@trentu.ca about obtaining your degree parchment.

Are face masks required at Convocation?

• Masks are welcome but optional for all Trent Convocation ceremonies. We respect the decision of students and their guests with regard to their choice on masking for these days of achievement and celebration. As always, the University continues to monitor conditions and will advise our campus communities of any changes to plans. If you are feeling unwell, please do not attend Convocation.