Fall Convocation Durham College is thrilled to celebrate the success of its 2024 graduating class on Tuesday, October 29 and Wednesday, October 30 at the Tribute Communities Centre. Learn everything you need to know about this special occasion in the FAQ section below. Can’t make it in person? Each ceremony will be live streamed and recordings will be posted within two weeks following Convocation on the ceremony archive page. Livestream Order of Ceremonies TUESDAY OCTOBER 29 Afternoon Ceremony - 2:30 p.m. Faculty of Business Evening Ceremony – 6:30 p.m. Faculty of Hospitality & Horticultural Science Faculty of Liberal Studies Faculty of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship Faculty of Social & Community Services All Professional and Part-Time Learning Programs. Professional & Part-Time Learning WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 30 Morning Ceremony – 10:00 a.m. Faculty of Health Sciences Faculty of Media, Art & Design Afternoon Ceremony – 2:30 p.m. Faculty of Science, Engineering & Information Technology FAQs Applying to Graduate WHEN DO I APPLY TO GRADUATE? When you are in your last semester, you will need to apply to graduate through MyDC. Please click here for more information. HOW DO I APPLY TO GRADUATE? Begin by going to your MyDC homepage, select the Self-Service Log In at the top right. Once logged in using your 9-digit student ID and password, click Student Information – Registration – Application for Graduation. You can find a tutorial here: How to Apply to Graduate. HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM GRADUATING? To verify your 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 faculty office. We will email you official dates and next steps, please continue checking your preferred email and Durham College student email. Leading Up to Convocation HOW CAN I BOOK A GRADUATE PHOTO SESSION? To book a grad photo session, please click here to sign up or visit the Durham College Student Association. New photo sessions get added weekly as the schedules fill up so please check back regularly 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 bowtie, a flat print tie, a white shirt or a white blouse. HOW TO SHARE ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS? If you require any accommodations or have questions about the accessibility of the convocation ceremony, please contact us in advance at convocation@durhamcollege.ca, so we can ensure your needs are met. WILL FLOWERS BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE CONVOCATION CEREMONIES? The Commencement Group will be selling flowers at all of Durham College’s convocation ceremonies, their table will be located on the concourse level of the Tribute Communities Centre. However, they encourage 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 WILL FRAMES AND OTHER GIFTS BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE CONVOCATION CEREMONIES? The Durham College campus store is excited to offer a selection of commemorative gifts including diploma and degree frames to celebrate this momentous occasion. Visit our table located on the concourse level of the Tribute Communities Centre to browse and purchase these keepsake items. For added convenience, we also provide a pre-order service for guests who prefer to avoid the line and pick up their items at the venue. Simply pre-purchase from the variety of available gifts, and in the special instructions section indicate your order is for convocation pickup. Don’t forget to indicate the day you will attend! We’ll have your gift ready and packaged for you to collect on the big day. Pre-order here: https://durham.bookware3000.ca/Catalogue/durham-college-online-catalogue/gifts/memorabilia--grad-gifts WILL THERE BE A PHOTOGRAPHER AT CONVOCATION? There will be a photographer from GradImages who will capture a photo of you as you are crossing the stage at Convocation. Please ensure your preferred email address is up-to-date in MyDC before the ceremony so they can share the photos with you following the ceremony. International Student Information HOW DO I INVITE INTERNATIONAL RELATIVES TO ATTEND MY CONVOCATION IN CANADA? A Verification of Graduation letter/ Convocation letter from Durham College is not required. The invitation letter for a Visa is provided by the student. To invite your family, please feel free to view this video which will provide you the detailed information that is required. Convocation Day For Graduates 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) one 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. WHERE CAN I PARK? There are 2,900 parking spaces within the downtown and the City of Oshawa offers event parking for a flat rate of $5.00 at Parkade 3 (on Mary Street between King and Bond Streets) and in Lot 16 (on Athol between Celina and Albert Streets). On-street parking is also available and is free on weekends as well as after 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. There is also private parking lots surrounding the Tribute Communities Centre that are not affiliated with the venue and charge fluctuating rates. We advise guests who choose to park in these private lots to follow any rules or regulations posted by the property owners. For more information on Downtown Parking options and a parking map, visit the City of Oshawa website. WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? Convocation is a formal event and as such, graduates are asked to dress accordingly. You will be provided with graduation regalia to wear for the ceremony, including a black gown and stole or hood. Please note: The gowning area will not be secured and we cannot guarantee the safety of your personal belongings. 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. CAN I USE MY CHOSEN NAME AT CONVOCATION? A chosen name is the name you choose to use but is not your legal name. Updating your chosen name will not alter the legal name used on official college documents and records, like your credential and transcripts. If you would like to have your chosen name displayed and read as you cross the stage, you can update this at Convocation when you register. If you require additional support or have questions, please email convocation@durhamcollege.ca. 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 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. AM I REQUIRED TO RETURN MY GRADUATION REGALIA (GOWN, STOLE, AND/OR HOOD) FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY? Yes. All graduation regalia must be returned within 20 minutes following the ceremony. Graduates will be charged a fee of $200.00 for unreturned or damaged regalia. HOW WILL I OBTAIN MY CREDENTIAL? Students attending the in-person convocation ceremonies will receive their credential at the event. Students who choose not to attend can pick up their credential in-person, seven 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. Please check Important Dates to learn more. WHAT IF I HAVE OUTSTANDING FEES? If you have outstanding fees, you cannot return to the college or receive your official grades, transcripts or credential until you meet your financial obligations. WHEN CAN I RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT WITH MY GRADUATED STATUS? Requests can be submitted through MyCreds™ upon graduation, or in advance by indicating "Hold until after graduation" on the request form. There is a $16.00 charge (plus HST) for each official transcript requested or shared. The transcript fee can be paid by direct debit payment or credit card on MyCreds. Should you owe fees or fines, transcript services will not be provided. Please visit Transcript Request for more information. For Guests WILL CONVOCATION CEREMONIES BE LIVESTREAMED? Yes. Ceremonies will be livestreamed and viewable at www.durhamcollege.ca/convocation. IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF GUESTS? Yes. Guests will be limited to five per graduate. 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 GUESTS NEED AN INVITATION? No. There are no invitations required for entrance to the ceremony. 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. For more information on parking, please visit https://www.tributecommunitiescentre.com/plan-your-visit/directions-parking 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 needs can be dropped off at the front of the building to access the elevator at Gate 1. If you have any questions or concerns about the accessibility requirements for your guests, please contact us at convocation@durhamcollege.ca. WHAT CAN I BRING INTO THE TRIBUTE COMMUNITIES CENTRE? You can find the Tribute Communities Centre's prohibited items list at https://www.tributecommunitiescentre.com/venue-information/a-z-guide, under prohibited items. ARE PRIVATE SUITES AVAILABLE TO RENT AT THE TRIBUTE COMMUNITIES CENTRE FOR GUESTS TO WATCH THE CEREMONY? 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 William Balfour, Director of Marketing & sales at: William.balfour@oakviewgroup.com or 905-448-1578. Alumni Information WHAT BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALUMNI? There are many benefits to being a DC Grad! Download DC Alumni Connect today! DC Alumni Connect, is a mobile app designed to make staying connected after graduation rewarding. Through the app, DC alumni can browse more than 90 food, fashion, travel and entertainment perks and stay up-to-date with exclusive alumni contests and events. The app also provides access to a digital alumni card, making it easy to unlock perks and offers while shopping, dining or traveling. Download DC Alumni Connect through the Apple App Store or Google Play.
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