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Congratulations
Class of 2024

We are excited to welcome graduands and guests to celebrate the Ridgetown Campus Class of 2024! 

 

Convocation Day Schedule: Friday, June 7, 2024 

  • 12:30 PM- Graduands arrival for ceremony preparation (Agronomy Classrooms 126/127) 

  • 12:30 PM- Doors to the Rural Development Centre (RDC) open for guest arrival 

  • 1:50 PM- Procession of Staff/Faculty and Graduands begins 

  • 2:00 PM- Convocation Ceremony (RDC Gym) 

  • 3:30/4:00 PM- Garden Party – Beginning immediately after the Convocation ceremony recession (Front Lawn, Willson Hall)

  • Check-in begins at 12:30pm in Agronomy 127 for gowning.
  • You must bring your University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus Student ID card or valid government-issued photo ID in order to check in at Agronomy 127 for gowning.
  • Once you check in, you won’t be permitted to leave the Agronomy Lecture Theatre.
  • All graduating students are required to wear official University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus academic gowns and hoods at their ceremony.
  • You may NOT carry any articles in your arms including purses, flowers, coats, phones, flags, signs etc. during your ceremony.
  • Pins, sashes, stoles, cords or accessories are not a part of the University’s approved academic regalia and may not be worn over academic regalia during ceremonies.
  • Any attire promoting hate or violence, including racism of any kind will not be permitted.
  • If you are a First Nations, Inuit and Métis graduate you may opt to wear your cultural regalia, in lieu of the academic gown, for convocation ceremonies.
  • Procession line up will begin at 1:30pm
  • The ceremony will begin at 2:00pm in the RDC Gymnasium

  • Tickets have been mailed to graduating students’ current address on file.
  • All guests are required to have a ticket to attend the ceremony.
  • Due to space constraints, no large bags or purses will be allowed within the facility.
  • The doors of the RDC Gymnasium will open at 12:30pm.
  • Guests will need to keep their ticket for re-entrance to RDC Gymnasium.
  • Guests should be seated in the RDC Gymnasium 15 minutes before the ceremony begins.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Convocation RSVP will be open from May 6 to May 17, 2024 

  • Graduates are required to RSVP for Convocation, even if they are unable to attend 

  • Diploma and Certificate grads will complete their RSVP in the Student Portal 

  • Apprenticeship graduates will receive an email with a link to RSVP 

  • Graduates will be able to request up to 3 guest tickets 

  • A waitlist will be available to request up to 2 additional tickets. Waitlist ticket decisions will not be made until after the RSVP deadline and are subject to capacity availability 

  • A $25.00 gown rental fee is due at the time of RSVP and can be paid by credit card 

  • Students who are not eligible to graduate/didn’t apply to graduate will not be able to RSVP. Please contact the Campus Registrar at rcregistrar@uoguelph.ca if you have any questions or concerns 

  • Graduates are asked to arrive on campus, to Agronomy classrooms 126/127, at 12:30 PM to prepare for the ceremony

  • There is no secure storage space for any personal items; please leave your items with one of your guests

  • The doors to the Rural Development Centre (RDC), where the ceremony is taking place, will open at 12:30 PM for guests to find a seat 

  • The Convocation procession of staff, special guests, and graduands will start at 1:50 PM sharp

  • Graduates must RSVP through the Student Portal for Convocation 

  • Each graduate will be able to request up to 3 tickets for their guests 

  • A waitlist will be available if graduates would like to request up to 2 additional tickets. Tickets granted from the waitlist will be subject to change based on capacity limits 

  • Decisions on waitlist tickets will not be made until after the RSVP deadline of May 17, 2024 

  • Parking is available in various lots around campus and is free of charge? 

  • Parking attendants will be available to assist you in finding available parking on campus 

  • Street parking on Main Street (the road in front of the campus) is not permitted on either side 

  • Overflow parking will be available at the East Kent Memorial Arena (Ridgetown Arena), 180 Main St E, Ridgetown (a 5-minute walk to campus) 

  • You can pre-order bouquets of flowers through Convocation Flowers, with pick-up prior to the Convocation ceremony available in the lobby of the Rural Development Centre (RDC) 

  • The pre-order deadline is Thursday, June 6, 2024 

  • There will also be limited stock available for purchase the day of. On-site payment methods will include debit, credit, and cash