FAQs

Important Announcements

In favourable weather conditions, the guest limit is 6 and they do not need tickets to attend Convocation ceremonies.
We provide hoods and gowns on the day of your ceremony, you do not need to rent them.

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.

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

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).

If you are a student with an accessibility concern, or you have a concern for a student, please contact Joanne Sokolowski 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 attendant(s). 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 blue 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, Wenjack in Otonabee College 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 or call 705-748-1011 ext. 6162.

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

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.

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.

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.

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, you will be granted a degree in absentia. Please email registrar@trentu.ca prior to Convocation to arrange to pick-up your degree or have it mailed.
You can obtain your Degree Certificate by:
- Visiting the Office of the Registrar after convocation with your student ID card; or
- Sending a written request via your myTrent email account to registrar@trentu.ca. In the subject line, please note the term you graduated (January, Fall, Spring) and follow this example: “MAIL DEGREE – SPRING". In your email please include your name, student ID number, and full mailing address.
- Take note that degrees will only be held for a period of two years, after which you must request and pay for a replacement degree. In addition, your degree and official transcripts will not be released if you have an outstanding balance owing to the University or have outstanding Library fines.
- Although all degrees from the previous Fall and January are available at the Spring Convocation Ceremonies, they are also available after Senate meets, in the Fall and January for pick up or mailing for students who don’t wish to attend or wait until the Spring Convocation Ceremonies. Spring graduates may pick theirs up at Convocation or in person by email request after the week of 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.