Spring Convocation Durham College (DC) is pleased to celebrate the success of our graduating students at Spring Convocation, taking place from Monday, June 12 to Wednesday, June 14 at the Tribute Communities Centre. Additional details will be added below as they become available. Order of Ceremonies Monday, June 12 Afternoon ceremony – 2:30 p.m. Faculty of Social & Community Services Evening ceremony – 6:30 p.m. Faculty of Business Tuesday, June 13 Afternoon ceremony – 2:30 p.m. Faculty of Science, Engineering & Information Technology Evening ceremony – 6:30 p.m. Faculty of Health Sciences Professional & Part-time Learning Wednesday, June 14 Morning ceremony – 10 a.m. Faculty of Hospitality & Horticultural Science Faculty of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship Afternoon ceremony – 2:30 p.m. Faculty of Liberal Studies Faculty of Media, Art & Design October 27, 2022 2:30 p.m. Faculty of Business Faculty of Hospitality & Horticultural Science Faculty of Media, Art & Design Faculty of Science, Engineering & Information Technology Faculty of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship 6:30 p.m. Faculty of Health Sciences Faculty of Liberal Studies Faculty of Social & Community Services Professional and Part-time Learning FAQs WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE AT THE TRIBUTE COMMUNITIES CENTRE AND WHERE SHOULD I GO? Graduates are asked to arrive at the Tribute Communities Centre (see map) 1 hour before their ceremony to register, gown and line up for the procession into the seating area. The registration area is located on the lower level when entering through Gate 1. Event staff and signage will direct graduates to designated areas. Please allow sufficient time for parking. Please note: If you arrive late by 30 minutes you will not be able to participate in the Convocation ceremony. HOW LONG WILL THE CEREMONY BE? The ceremony will last approximately two hours. Should the ceremony last a little longer, we ask graduates and guests to be considerate and remain seated for the duration of the ceremony. WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? Convocation is a formal event and as such, graduates are asked to dress accordingly. Please note: 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 or valuables with you to the gowning area. Please make alternate arrangements for your articles to be left with your guests for the duration of the ceremony. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE CEREMONY? After the ceremony you will have approximately 20 minutes to have photos taken with your classmates and family. Please ensure that your gown is returned promptly to the gowning area after you have taken photos. Once your gown is returned, you will be directed to the location where you will receive your credential. Please note: If you have previously received your credential (i.e. at the time you originally completed your program), you will not receive another one at this time. MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY ARE ARRIVING SEPARATELY. HOW CAN I MAKE SURE THEY SIT TOGETHER? Family members should try to arrive 30 to 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and arrange a meeting point. There is ample seating for all guests and parking is available at various public lots around the Tribute Communities Centre. ONE OF MY GUESTS USES A WHEELCHAIR. IS THE TRIBUTE COMMUNITIES CENTRE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE? Yes, the Tribute Communities Centre is wheelchair accessible. There is wheelchair parking on the west side of the facility and there is an elevator to take guests to the second-floor seating area. Guests with mobility issues can be dropped off at the front of the building to access the elevator at Gate 1. WHAT IF I HAVE OUTSTANDING FEES? If you have outstanding fees or other indebtedness, you cannot return to the college or receive your official grades, transcripts or credential until you meet your financial obligations. WHAT IS THE OFFICIAL GRADUATION DATE FOR STUDENTS WHO COMPLETED THEIR COURSE REQUIREMENTS? February 10, 2023 - Winter Graduation date June 12, 2023 – Spring Graduation date October 26, 2023 – Fall Graduation date Please check back for Fall and Spring Convocation Ceremony dates. HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM GRADUATING? We will email you official dates and next steps, please continue checking your preferred and DC email. Steps to verify graduation status: Visit MyDC Records and Personal Information Convocation Verification of Graduation Letter If your audit is successful, the message will read “Approved – Not Yet Awarded”. If your status is “Not Eligible” and you believe this to be in error, please contact your school office. WHEN CAN I RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT WITH MY GRADUATED STATUS? You can submit your form and payment now but indicate to hold your transcript request until after graduation. Official transcripts will be mailed out through Canada Post after your official graduation date, please check Important Dates to learn more. HOW WILL I OBTAIN MY CREDENTIAL? Students attending the in-person convocation ceremonies, will receive their credential at the event. Students who chose not to attend can pick up their credential in person, 7 business days after the final convocation ceremony, or can request to have it mailed, at an additional fee, by completing and submitting the Credential Mailing Request Form. Students graduating in winter can pick their credential up in person or request to have it mailed after the official graduation date. Please check Important Dates to learn more. How can I book a graduate photo session? Students must have their photo taken to appear in their respective Graduating Class Composite. Sign up here or visit the Durham College Student Association. New sessions get added weekly as the schedules fill up so please check back to the site if you cannot find an appointment that works with your schedule. Alternatively, you can email questions@lassmanstudios.com to book at another location. As per school tradition, professional attire is recommended. This may include either a bow-tie, a flat print tie, a white shirt or a white blouse. If you cannot attend a photo session please contact questions@lassmanstudios.com for information on how to be included in the composite. Will flowers be available for purchase at the convocation ceremonies? The Commencement Group will be selling flowers at all of DC’s convocation ceremonies, their table will be located on the concourse level of the Tribute Communities Centre. To further contribute to a safe and efficient environment, The Commencement Group encourages customers to take advantage of their online pre-order service. They will have a contact-free customer experience for guests who are simply picking up their pre-purchased and reserved product. The pre-order link is: www.thecommencementgroup.com/durham HOW DO I INVITE INTERNATIONAL RELATIVES TO ATTEND MY CONVOCATION IN CANADA? If you have applied to graduate for this upcoming fall, you will receive a formal invitation asking you to confirm your attendance, guest numbers, gown size etc. The formal invitation to attend convocation may be used in place of a letter, and is sufficient to invite your relatives to convocation. As an additional resource, please feel free to view this video on inviting relatives to Canada IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF GUESTS I CAN BRING? Yes. Guests will be limited to five. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Durham College is pleased to provide livestreaming of all Convocation ceremonies by visiting www.durhamcollege.ca/convocation on the day of. The livestream will begin 30 minutes prior to the start of the event. DO MY GUESTS NEED AN INVITATION? No. There are no invitations required for entrance to the ceremony. WILL CONVOCATION CEREMONIES BE LIVESTREAMED? Yes. Ceremonies will be livestreamed and viewable at www.durhamcollege.ca/convocation. AM I REQUIRED TO RETURN MY GRADUATION REGALIA (GOWN, STOLE, AND/OR HOOD) FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY? Yes. All graduation regalia must be returned within 1 hour following the ceremony. Graduates will be charged a fee of $100.00 for unreturned or damaged regalia. WHAT ARE THE COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AT CONVOCATION? In lieu of shaking hands, graduates are asked to give a non-touch greeting to the platform party (such as placing a hand on their heart, a wave or a nod, etc.) as they cross the stage for everyone’s health and safety. Masks will not be required within the Tribute Communities Centre; however, we appreciate that everyone's circumstances are unique and some will continue to wear a mask for personal reasons. ARE PRIVATE SUITES AVAILABLE TO RENT AT THE TRIBUTE COMMUNITIES CENTRE FOR GUESTS TO WATCH THE CEREMONY FROM? Yes, a select number of private suites are available for rent at the Tribute Communities Centre, at an additional cost. To learn more, please contact Melissa Smits, Suites & Sales Manager at: Melissa.smits@oakviewgroup.com or 905-448-1568.