Important Information for Graduating Students Attending Convocation
Graduates of Dawson College who completed their studies in Summer 2016, Fall 2016 or Winter 2017 are invited to attend their graduation ceremonies at Place des Arts on June 20, 2017. Please note that because of the large graduating class, there will be two ceremonies – one at 2:30 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m.
First Letter to all Potential Graduates
In April, you will receive a message to advise you that you have either completed the graduation requirements of your diploma program or that you are a potential graduate (if you are finishing in the Winter Term).
The message will instruct you on how to reply that you will be attending the ceremony, as well as providing your height so that we may order the correct size graduating gown. There are no caps, only gowns.
Please ensure that the Registrar has your correct address for any additional communication that may occur by mail, including notice that your official Ministry diploma has arrived.
Second Letter with Ticket Information
In May, those who have returned the postcard will receive a second letter to give you all the details you need for participating in the event. This will include ticket pick-up date and time and instructions.
Ticket distribution goes like this:
- You will be asked to come to the College, usually Lower Atrium, on a given day about a week before the ceremony.
- Once you have presented your ID, or if you can’t make it, the person you have sent in your place has presented your ID, you will receive an information sheet, a “graduate” ticket for yourself, and tickets for your guests. We will only be able to determine how many guest tickets is the maximum once we know how many students will attend the ceremony.
- If any tickets remain, we will put a notice on Facebook and on the website homepage so you can pick up extra tickets the following day, while quantities last. They will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Once there are no more tickets, there are no more tickets. Place des Arts will not let us hand out more tickets than there are seats, and they will not let you enter without a ticket.
The Convocation Ceremony
Because of the large graduating class, there will be two ceremonies. The ceremonies will be held at Place des Arts in the Théâtre Maisonneuve. Graduates are requested to be at Place des Arts over an hour before the ceremony in order to be checked in, to pick up their gowns and to be marshalled correctly into place. They should enter through the main doors to the hall and will be directed to the processing and dressing area.
The first one is at 2:30 p.m. for students graduating in Social Science (all profiles) and Liberal Arts, and in the business and social technologies: Accounting and Management Technology, Business Management (Marketing), Community Recreation and Leadership Training, Computer Science Technology, Social Service.
The second ceremony is at 7:30 p.m. for students graduating in Science (all profiles), plus all Medical and Engineering Studies: Biomedical Laboratory Technology, Diagnostic Imaging, Radiation Oncology, Physiotherapy Technology, Nursing, Laboratory Technology – Analytical Chemistry, Civil Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Electronics Engineering Technology.
The 7:30 p.m. ceremony is also for students graduating in the Creative and Applied Arts: Arts, Literature and Communication (all profiles), Visual Arts, and in Professional Theatre, Illustration, Interior Design, Professional Photography, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, and 3D Animation and Computer Generated Imagery, as well as those students graduating in AEC programs.
Doors to the hall open for guests at 1:45 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony and at 6:45 p.m. for the evening ceremony.
After the ceremony, graduates and their guests are invited to a vin d’honneur. The ceremony generally lasts about 2 hours, including the closing reception.
Traffic and parking around Place des Arts is always difficult, those attending the event should allow extra time to arrive at the venue at the appointed hour. Using the Metro is the best option.
Important Information for Faculty and Staff Attending Convocation
All employees of Dawson College are invited to attend. An e-mail goes out to the community in May. A number of rows are reserved in the front, but we require confirmation of attendance so that we may reserve an adequate number of places. Specially marked VIP tickets can be picked up in 4A.1 once they become available.
Platform Party
Members of Senate, the Board of Governors, Chairs and Coordinators of all programs, deans, assistant deans, and special guests are invited to be part of the platform party.
A memo is sent in late April, early May to provide information and to request information so that we may order the appropriate academic dress. You will also be asked to state which of the two ceremonies you will attend, either the one that pertains to your program, or if you are a hardy type, both. We prefer that you RSVP in writing, as indicated in the memo.
This year we will have two ceremonies – one at 2:30 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m. The platform party is asked to arrive at Place des Arts by 1:15 for the afternoon ceremony and at 6:15 p.m. for the evening ceremony so that you may be gowned. You must enter via the 1400 Saint-Urbain entrance.
A vin d’honneur is held immediately after the formal portion of the program. The ceremony generally lasts about two hours including the closing reception.
More information
If you require information about Convocation that is not included here, contact Carey-Ann Pawsey at (514) 931-8731 ext. 1032.
