Graduate Checklist

Review the information below to ensure you are all set for your ceremony

Information on this page is for Durham ceremonies. If you are a student attending a Peterborough ceremony, please visit the Peterborough Convocation site.

Before Convocation Day

• Apply to graduate
• Find your ceremony date and time on the convocation schedule.
• Register to attend your ceremony
• Guest tickets

On Convocation Day

• Arrive at least 1 hour before your ceremony
• Check-in
• Gowning
• Take the green pledge
• Line-up
• Ceremony flow and stage directions
• Capture the moment
• Return your gown
• Pick up your degree
• Enjoy your new alumni status

Not Attending Convocation?

• Apply to graduate
• Degree certificate pick up

Still have questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page

Before Convocation Day

1. Apply to Graduate

To graduate and receive your degree, you must complete the Application to Graduate and receive confirmation from the Registrar's Office (undergraduate students) or the School of Graduate Studies (graduate students) that you have completed all your requirements to graduate. 

Students who have successfully completed their degree requirements and are free of financial obligations to the University are eligible to receive a degree or diploma.

To learn more about the application process, watch the How to Apply to Graduate video or visit the Office of the Registrar website. 

If you have questions about the status of your application to graduate, please contact: 

• Undergraduate Students: the Office of the Registrar (registrar@trentu.ca)
• Graduate Students: the School of Graduate Studies (graduaterecords@trentu.ca) 

2. Find your ceremony date and time on the Convocation schedule

The full Convocation schedule will be available in early March. 

Note: If you have a joint major, you will have the opportunity to select which major you want to attend with when you complete the RSVP. 

3. Register to attend your ceremony

The RSVP will be available in March. 

4. Guest Tickets

Guest tickets are not required for the Durham ceremonies. We encourage graduates to bring as many friends and family as possible to celebrate their success.

Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and large groups are encouraged to arrive early to ensure they can be seated together.

On Convocation Day

1. Arrive 1 hour before your ceremony

Please check in at the Tribute Communities Centre at least one hour before your ceremony. This will leave you plenty of time to check in, get your gown and hood, and soak in the excitement. 

Don't forget to bring your Student ID or another piece of photo ID (i.e., driver's license or health card). This will be required for check-in and degree pick-up. 

Graduates and guests will access the Tribute Communities Centre through different entrance points.

• Guests will use the main entrance off Athol St E
• Graduates will proceed directly to Rink 2, accessible at the corner of Bruce St and Red Tilson Lane

Please leave your bags or purses with your family before proceeding to Rink 2, as there is no storage space available. Please arrange for your guests to care for your children as they cannot be with you in the gowning or in the student area. Just bring your ID, phone, and a water bottle if you would like one.

Review the schedule to confirm your ceremony time and arrival time. The full Convocation schedule will be available in early March. 

2. Check-in

When you arrive at Rink 2 at the Tribute Communities Centre, volunteers will welcome you and direct you to check in with the Registrar's Office. 

To check in, you MUST have a piece of photo ID. 

Once checked in, you will receive your name card, which lists your degree, program, and line-up number. HOLD ON TO IT - you MUST have this card with you at the ceremony to walk the stage.  

3. Gowning 

Gowns and hoods are provided. You do NOT need to purchase regalia for Convocation. 

After you have checked in and received your name card, you will be guided to the gowning area. Hand your name card to the gowning volunteers, who will provide you with a gown and hood. Take a look at the Official Trent Convocation Academic Regalia document to see what regalia you will be wearing.

You MUST return your regalia by 12:30 p.m. for morning ceremonies or 4:30 p.m. for afternoon ceremonies, before picking up your degree. 

4. Take the green pledge 

Upon exiting the gowning room, you can choose to take the green pledge and wear a green ribbon during the ceremony:

"I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organization for which I work."

5. Line up 

Once you have been gowned, you line up in the student in Rink 2.  

15-20 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to begin, you will be led to the ceremony. 

6. Ceremony flow & stage directions

• Following the Indigenous procession and bagpiper, graduates will process into the ceremony, through the middle aisle and take their seats to the left and right in front of the stage.
• Students will be called row by row to cross the stage. Hand your name card to the stage marshal and cross the stage when you hear your name called.
• On stage, you will shake the hand of the Chancellor Stephen Stohn and a member of Trent University's Senior Leadership team. Miranda Studios will capture a few photos of the special moment.
• Upon exiting the stage, you will be greeted by a representative of the Trent Alumni family and directed to Miranda Studio's portrait area for another photo, then head back to your seat.
• Note that photos taken by Miranda Studios will be available for purchase. Proofs and purchasing options will be sent to your Trent email in the weeks following the ceremony. 

7. Capture the moment

After the ceremony, you can take photos with your family and friends outside the Tribute Communities Centre or in front of backdrops behind the stage. 

8. Return your gown

You MUST return your gown and hood by 12:30 p.m. for morning ceremonies or 4:30 p.m. for afternoon ceremonies, before picking up your degree. 

9. Pick-up your degree

Your degree will be available for pick-up in Rink 2 following the ceremony after you return your gown. Make sure to bring your student card or a piece of photo ID. 

10. Enjoy your new alumni status 

While in the Event Space, head over to the Alumni table to meet the Alumni Engagement & Services team. They will welcome you to the Alumni family, gift you your alumni pin, and help get you connected with the Trent Alumni Perks app to unlock all of your new exclusive discounts and benefits. 

Visit trentu.ca/alumni for information on the benefits, services, programs and events offered to you for free!  

Not Attending Convocation?

1. Apply to graduate

To graduate and receive your degree, you must complete the Application to Graduate and receive confirmation from the Registrar's Office (undergraduate students) or the School of Graduate Studies (graduate students) that you have completed all of your requirements to graduate. 

To learn more about the application process, watch the How to Apply to Graduate video or visit the Office of the Registrar website. 

If you have questions about the status of your application to graduate, please contact: 

• Undergraduate Students: the Office of the Registrar (registrar@trentu.ca)
• Graduate Students: the School of Graduate Studies (graduaterecords@trentu.ca) 

2. Degree certificate pick-up

• Students who have successfully completed their degree requirements and are free of financial obligations to the University are eligible to receive a degree or diploma.
• Degree certificates will be held for two years. After this period, you must request and pay for a replacement.

NOTE: Convocation ceremonies are public events that are photographed, recorded, and livestreamed on trentu.ca/live. By attending, you are providing consent that Trent University may use your likeness in any future Trent materials without compensation. If you have any questions, please contact convocation@trentu.ca.