What is the difference between “Graduation” and “Convocation”?

Graduation and Convocation are not exactly the same things although sometimes people use the two words interchangeably. 

Graduation is the official acknowledgement of your qualification to claim your degree/certificate parchment and it happens when you have completed your program. 

Convocation consists of two parts: 

1. Program completion 
2. Conferment by the University Senate

There are two convocations per year – Spring (Brampton and Sault Ste. Marie) and Fall (Brampton and Timmins). 

 

Why is it important to apply for convocation?

Submitting an application to convocate is a requirement for the conferral of your certificate or degree by the University Senate. Applying to convocate will put your name on the graduation list for the Senate to assess and confer your credential. 

Additionally, applying to convocate is a requirement to receive a Verification of Program Completion (VPC).

 

I can’t attend the convocation. When and how will I receive my parchment?

If you can’t attend the convocation, the Office of the Registrar will start mailing your degree or certificate to the address you provided in the graduation application after the convocation is over. 

Please ensure that your address is up to date in your student portal and with the Registrar’s Office.

 

I have completed my program but I have not officially convocated. Will I still be able to receive a transcript showing I’ve completed my program?

Convocation must be conferred by the University Senate – this is an official step that must be completed before a degree is granted.

For instance, if you have completed your program, in December, and your convocation doesn’t occur until June of the subsequent year, you are not considered convocated until you are conferred by the Senate. Therefore, your official transcript will not and cannot state that you have convocated. It will indicate “None” under “Program Completion”. 

If you are applying for the Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) in the interim but have not received your degree/graduate certificate, you can apply for a Verification of Program Completion Letter (VPC). You can order this via the Student Portal. Click on “Request Form” under the “Resources” tab.

 

Is regalia mandatory?

Yes, wearing regalia is required for all participants crossing the stage at convocation. Algoma University values and respects the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of our student community. You are welcome to complement regalia with cultural accessories that reflect your heritage (please note that you cannot put pins into the regalia due to damage). 

If you wish to incorporate elements of your cultural attire, please inform us in advance by emailing [email protected].

You are also welcome to wear any cultural traditional wear underneath your regalia. Please ensure that all attire is professional and respectful, avoiding anything that could be considered offensive to any community group.

Regalia

Graduation regalia, including caps, gowns, and hoods, traces its origins to medieval European academic traditions. Originally worn by clerics and scholars, these garments were adapted from the everyday attire of the 12th and 13th centuries, reflecting the scholarly pursuits and religious affiliations of the time. The distinctive cap, known as the mortarboard, and the gown symbolize a scholar’s dedication to academic achievement and institutional affiliation. Over time, these elements became standardized symbols of academic success and institutional pride. Today, graduation regalia continues to represent the culmination of rigorous study and personal accomplishment, serving as a ceremonial attire that honors the academic journey and the tradition of scholarly excellence.

 

The Mace

The Mace is a traditional symbol of authority and knowledge for institutions of higher learning. Derived from a medieval weapon, the academic Mace has evolved to create stateliness and solemnity that establishes an enduring legacy for the University. The Mace represents the need to protect and nurture the search for knowledge and is displayed during ceremonial occasions, most notably during convocation ceremonies.

The Mace was designed and fabricated by local artisan Michael Burtch. Crafted in bird’s eye maple, black walnut, copper, and brass, each aspect of the Mace represents

an important characteristic of Algoma University. The shaft reflects the strength and endurance of an architectural column and is ringed in a fashion similar to medieval columns. The drums of the shaft are made of bird’s eye maple, a wood that is rare, has mysterious origins, and is resilient. The black walnut of the ring ornamentation and ‘capital’ provides tonal accent to the maple and represents a wood that was plentiful throughout the Great Lakes Basin area in pre-Columbian times. The head of the Mace is executed in copper and brass. Copper has played an important role in every culture, specifically in our First Nations’ communities. It is the sign for earth and fire and the conductor of spiritual energy. Finally, the head is crowned with the copper Thunderbird emblematic to Algoma University.

 

Academic Hoods

The undergraduate academic hoods are crafted in verona style in Algoma University’s navy blue and bloodroot, with a coloured border designating the programme of study. The field colour or first institutional colour of the hood is navy blue complimented by the chevron colour or second institutional colour of bloodroot.

Institutions of higher learning have a custom and tradition of recognizing academic accomplishments through colour and ceremony. The velvet colour or coloured border of the academic hood is based on the degree being conferred and/or discipline. The hood makes a clear distinction of the level and corresponding degree of the granting institution.

Bachelor of Arts | White border
Bachelor of Business Administration | Silver grey border
Bachelor of Computer Science | Spruce green border
Bachelor of Fine Arts | Harvard crimson border
Bachelor of Science | Gold border
Bachelor of Social Work | Yellow border

When should I apply to convocate? 

You will receive an email when the application to convocate form is open.

• For the Spring Ceremony (held in June), applications open mid-October and close in late January
• For the Fall Ceremony (held in October), applications open in mid-June and close in late July

 

Why can’t I access the convocation application form?

It could be because:

• You missed the application deadline and the form is closed.
• If the application is not closed yet, please ensure that you access the form with your AU login credentials (the same user name and password for your AU email account and Student Portal). If you are presently signed in to your personal Gmail on your web browser or Gmail APP, you must sign off completely, and then sign in to your AU email account before accessing the form.

 

I missed the convocation application deadline. What should I do?

When the Convocation Application is open, students receive an email notification, along with multiple reminder emails before the deadline. It is also promoted on the website and social media. Please ensure you don’t miss it! If you missed the Convocation Application deadline or were unable to attend, you will not be eligible to participate in the next Convocation Ceremony.

I’ve applied for convocation. What is the next process?

If you have applied for Convocation, the Office of the Registrar will conduct a convocation audit. If you meet the convocation requirements of your program, you will receive a congratulatory letter from the Office of the Registrar and you will be included on the convocation list to be conferred by the University Senate.

 

I want to invite my family to attend my Convocation. How do I do that?

To support your family’s application, they will need the following documents:

• A Letter of Invitation: The Office of the Registrar does not provide this letter. You can write the letter on your own. Instructions can be found on this webpage for your reference.
• A copy of your study permit
• A copy of the ID page of your passport notarized by a lawyer
• A copy of your transcript(s)
• Verification of Program Completion / Confirmation of Enrollment*
  • For students who met all program requirements by December 2023 or prior, you can request a Verification of Program Completion Letter via the Student Portal. Under “Resources”, click on “Transcript and Form Requests”.
  • For students currently enrolled in courses, you can download a Confirmation of Enrollment Letter directly via the Student Portal.

*If you want to invite your parents to visit you for reasons other than convocation, a Confirmation of Enrolment might be needed instead of a VPC.

Please refer to the IRCC website to find out the Visa application processes and processing time and plan ahead of time.

 

How do I order my regalia?

You will receive an email approximately one month before Convocation with details on how to order regalia. You will be asked for your height so we can get you the correct fit. You will also be required to pay for your regalia rental upon ordering. 

 

When can I pick up my regalia?

You will receive your regalia at the venue on the day of Convocation. Please stay tuned and check your email for more information.

 

How do I get tickets for my guests?

You will receive an email approximately one month before convocation with details on how to register and request guest tickets. The number of guest tickets will be allocated based on the number of graduates and capacity in the venue. If you require additional tickets beyond what is allocated, you will have the option to go on a waitlist. If you do not require all of your tickets, then they will be released for other students. 

 

What does convocation day look like? 

You will arrive 2 hours early for your convocation. 

During this time, you will be fitted for your regalia, receive your hood and cap, and be given your name card for your line up number. 

This lineup is in order that you will be called into the stage to commemorate the moment.

After shaking hands with the Deans on stage, you will walk off the other side of the stage, where our professional photographers will take your picture before you return to your seat. 

Once the ceremony is finished, you will return your regalia, and then be given your parchment folder. 

 

How do I collect my parchment?

Your parchment will be given to you once the full convocation ceremony is over and you have returned your regalia. You can collect your folder containing your parchment from the registration table.

 

Am I required to attend convocation to receive my parchment?

No, you are not required to attend convocation. If you do not attend convocation,  your parchment will be mailed to you. Please ensure that your mailing address is up to date with the Registrar’s Office to receive your parchment in a timely manner. Click here to update your address.

 

Am I able to show that I have completed my program before I get my parchment? (Verification of Program Completion)
Yes, students who are needing to apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit can get the Verification of Program Completion letter. Follow the instructions below to obtain your VPC letter; $12 per copy.

Current Students:
Current students can apply for a VPC via Student Portal, under “Resources”, click on “Transcript and Form Requests”.

Student Portal

Alumni:
If you are an alumnus and do not have access to Student Portal anymore, please make the request using the link below. At the step of “Select Form”, select Verification of Program Completion.

Alumni VPC Request

 

I can’t attend my scheduled ceremony, can I defer to a future ceremony? 

Unfortunately, you cannot defer your convocation to the next ceremony. If you miss your application or are unable to attend, you can get your parchment by visiting the Registrar’s Office, ensuring your mailing address is up to date on your student portal for shipment, or emailing them at [email protected] to make alternative arrangements.

 

How can my family and friends watch the convocation at home?

Convocation ceremonies will be livestreamed from the Convocation Home Page. Leading up to Convocation, you will see links appear on this webpage for each Convocation Ceremony. You may send anyone the link to this webpage for them to watch.

 

I have more questions that have not been answered in these FAQs. Who do I contact?

If you have questions about your eligibility, application, requirements to graduate, please contact the Registrar’s Office at [email protected].

If you have questions about tickets, what happens the day of graduation, about your regalia, or anything else about the actual convocation day, please contact [email protected]

I have been waiting to receive my parchment in the mail for a while. What could have caused the delay?

If you have been waiting for the parchment for weeks, possible reasons for the delay could be:

1. You still have a balance on your student account. The Office of the Registrar will not release any documents (letters, transcripts, degrees, certificates) for students who have an account balance. You can view any outstanding balance under the Financial Summary in your Student Portal. To clear your account balance, you can make a payment directly on the Student Portal. For any account-related questions, please contact [email protected].
2. You did not provide an accurate mailing address. Please email [email protected] to correct your mailing address.
3. You have moved to a different address but did not inform the Office of the Registrar. Please email [email protected] to update your mailing address and update it on your Student Portal on your own.

The mailing address you provided is a PO box. Please note that we shipped all parchments via Purolator. Purolator does not deliver to PO boxes. Please email [email protected] to update your address.

 

Where can I find the photos that were taken at the convocation?

Photos that were taken at the ceremony will be shared on the Algoma University gallery website: gallery.algomau.ca

 

How can I stay connected to Algoma University?

Graduates from Algoma University join a family of over 10,000 Alumni across the globe! Learn more here: https://algomau.ca/alumni/.

Please ensure that your address and email address are up to date! This allows us to send you information and opportunities about upcoming events. To do this, email :

You can also follow us on social media by following @AlgomaUAlumni on Instragram and Facebook.

To request free tickets for you and your guest(s), please follow the steps here. You can login to the website by following these steps:

1. Username: Your AlgomaU email
2. Reset your password by clicking ‘Forgot Password’ and following the instructions through the link sent to your email.
3. Move this email from your junk mail folder to your inbox in order to be able to click the link.
4. Upon resetting your password, you will be able to successfully access your account.
5. You can reserve your ticket and up to 2 tickets for your guests.
6. If you require additional tickets, you can purchase them in the Waitlist section of your ticket purchase.

As tickets become available, your waitlisted tickets will be approved on a first come, first serve basis.