Convocation Information

Our Spring 2024 Convocation Ceremonies will be held at the following locations:

Langille Athletic Centre, Truro (Faculty of Agriculture)
Dalhousie Arts Centre, Halifax (all other faculties)

Dalhousie Senate meets to award all Dalhousie degrees on Thursday, May 9, 2024. This is an administrative date only, and is not the date you will attend your Convocation ceremony.

Ceremony dates for the Spring Class of 2024 have now been posted to the Convocation Website. 

Parking
Parking on campus is limited. Visitors are welcome to park at one of the metered parking spots at the University, however; parking meters on side streets are enforced by the local police department.

The most convenient place for short term parking on-campus in Halifax is at our Pay and Display Lot. Rates are $2 per hour to a maximum of $14 per day. 

You will need to download the HotSpot App on your smartphone to pay for short-term parking on-campus. Learn how on this webpage HotSpot Parking Transit Taxis Homepage (htsp.ca).

Dalhousie also has a limited number of parking meters. Meters are in operation from 6:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Meter fees are not required after 4:30 pm, or on weekends and statutory holidays.

Parking FAQs 
Campus Parking Maps

Coat Check
Coat check is available at the Halifax venue, located on the main level of the Dalhousie Arts centre, on the left at the end of the hallway past the Box Office.

Assemble
Graduates are asked to assemble, wearing gown and hood, one hour prior to the start of the ceremony on the upper level of the Dalhousie Arts Centre (Halifax) or at the MacRae Student Learning Commons (Truro).

At the Dalhousie Arts Centre: when you enter the building through the front door, take the stairs to your left, one flight up. You may also use the elevator that is located across from the Box Office to access the upper level. 

Degree
Look for a sign with your degree name and stay in that general area.

Name card
A Marshal will provide you with your name card and line you up in alphabetical order. If you do not receive a name card, inform the Marshal as you cannot cross the stage without it. Your name card indicates the name of your degree and program. It will also mention if you have achieved first class honours, distinction, a University medal and/or award.

If you are concerned about the pronunciation of your name by the Orator, please take a moment at this time to write out the phonetic pronunciation of your name on the name card so that the Orator can review it when you hand them your name card onstage.

Lining up
You will be lined up in pairs with the person who comes first alphabetically on the right.

Procession
The procession begins 10 minutes before the scheduled start time of the ceremony. You will be led into the auditorium by the marshalls; please stay in pairs.

Seating
All graduates sit in the right-hand section of the auditorium. You are to remain standing until the Provost invites you to be seated.

Introduction: Following introductory remarks, the Chair of Senate will rise and ask graduands to rise. They will then ask the Chancellor to confer the degrees. Please remain standing (if able) until the Chancellor takes their seat after conferral of the degrees.

Proceed to the stage: On a row-by-row basis a Marshal will lead you to the stage. Please walk out of your row and line up against the auditorium wall so the other graduands and guests seated behind you can still see the stage clearly.

On the stage: The Marshals will guide you up the stairs and onto the stage. You will hand your name card to the Orator who will read your name aloud — feel free to indicate quietly the proper pronunciation of your name.

Proceed to centre-stage as follows:
Diploma, Bachelor and Master graduates — remain standing as the Chancellor confers your degree with a hand over heart gesture.
PhD graduates - The Chair of Senate will take your PhD hood from your left arm as you sit down facing the audience. (A Marshal will demonstrate the correct way to carry the PhD hood on your left arm to allow this process to go smoothly.)  The Chair will then place the hood over your head and you will stand and move to where the Chancellor is standing.

The Chancellor will then confer your degree with a hand over heart gesture. 

Proceed to the far side: Once your degree has been conferred, you will proceed to the far end of the stage and you will have the opportunity for a photo with your respective Dean (for those who would not like to have their photo taken, please reach out to convocation@dal.ca)

Proceed off the stage: Walk down the stairs and back to your seat.
PhD recipients are invited to remain on stage and take a seat alongside the faculty; the Grand Marshal will direct you.

Finale: At the end of the ceremony the Marshal will lead you out of the auditorium and to the lobby.

Graduands request invitations for guests when they submit their online Application to Graduate. Each graduand is guaranteed a minimum of two invitations but may receive additional invitations pending availability. Should you wish to request more than the number you indicated in your Application to Graduate, please contact the Convocation Team by February 6.

The number of invitations distributed is based on the number of graduands compared to the seating available, by ceremony. Due to seating limitations, you may not receive the total number of invitations you requested. Graduands do not need an invitation to attend the ceremony. Infants and young children, who may be sitting on parents' laps, still require their own invitation due to fire safety regulations.

Graduands will receive communication in late February, confirming how many guest tickets they will receive. We strongly advise not booking travel for more than two guests until this confirmation has been received.

Guest invitations will be available for pick up with academic dress and parchments in the McInnes Room, Student Union Building (Halifax) the business day before your ceremony or the MacRae Library (Truro) the morning of your ceremony - see Academic Dress below for hours. Please note that we are unable to mail tickets.

The Registrar's Office does not maintain a waitlist for invitations. Guests who arrive without an invitation are welcome to wait outside the auditorium to be seated on a first come, first served basis should there be available seating in the auditorium once guests with invitations have been seated. Please note that guests with invitations should be seated at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the ceremony. 

Click here to view a video about how to wear your gown and hood

Academic dress – also know as academic costume or regalia – are the distinctive gowns and hoods worn by all participants (including faculty members and university officials who sit onstage) during a Convocation ceremony.

The tradition of graduates wearing gowns and hoods dates back to the 12^th and 13^th centuries. This tradition continues today at Dalhousie University to signify a graduate’s academic accomplishment.

Indigenous students are welcome to wear traditional dress in a manner that celebrates their heritage with or instead of the gown. In those instances, graduates must still wear their ceremonial hood. 

Graduands must reserve their gown and hood in advance through the Academic Dress Reservations Portal by May 10.

Gaspard will have a limited number of extra gowns and hoods onsite for those who miss the reservation deadline. Graduates who pick up gowns and hoods without a reservation, will be required to pay the rental fee at the time of pick up.

Academic dress must be returned by 5:00pm on May 21 to the MacRae Library (Truro) or by 7:00pm on May 31 to the McInnes Room, Student Union Building (Halifax). Graduates who do not return their academic dress on time will be required to send it back via mail to the academic dress vendor, at their own expense.

Gowns Room Location and Hours

Location:
McInnes Room, 2nd floor, Student Union Building (Halifax)
MacRae Learning Commons (Truro)

Hours:
Halifax Gowns Room:
May 21 8:00am-5:00pm
May 22 8:00am-7:00pm
May 23 8:00am-5:00pm
May 24 8:00am-5:00pm
May 27 8:00am-7:00pm
May 28 8:00am-5:00pm
May 29 8:00am-7:00pm
May 30 8:00am-5:00pm
May 31 8:00am-7:00pm

*Graduates will be required to pick up their academic dress, along with their guest tickets and parchment, the business day prior to their ceremony.

MacRae Library (Truro):
May 21 8:00am-12:30pm for pick-up (open until 5:00pm for returns)

Graduate Recognition by Elders

An Elder will be present on stage during Convocation to show their support and pride in the accomplishment of graduates Indigenous to North America (Turtle Island). The Elder will gift each Indigenous graduate with a traditional medicine pouch. If you would like to be recognized by the Elders, please identify yourself so we may celebrate your accomplishment by contacting convocation@dal.ca.

Graduate Recognition by Black Student Advising Centre

The Black Student Advising Centre celebrates the achievements of all graduating black students of African descent and is pleased to announce that Kente sashes will be available at the Centre for graduates to borrow and wear during their ceremonies. Contact the Black Student Advising Centre at bsac@dal.ca or 494-6648 to borrow a sash.

Your parchment is your printed diploma or degree. This legal document is presented to you when you graduate. Because it is a legal document, it must be printed in the legal name listed on your official student record. 

Any changes to the legal name we have for you on your student record, must be supported with a piece of government issued photo ID. If you wish to change your legal name, please email registrar@dal.ca and attach a scanned or photographed copy of your government issued photo ID that shows your legal name as it should appear on your parchment.

The deadline to make changes to your legal name is April 5.

For those attending Convocation ceremonies, parchments will be available for pick up, along with guest invitations and academic dress, the business day before your ceremony in the McInnes Room, Student Union Building (Halifax) or the morning of your ceremony in the MacRae Library (Truro) - see Academic Dress above for hours. Please note that your Dalhousie ID, or a government-issued photo ID, will be requied when picking up your parchment.

For those not attending convocation, parchments will be available for pick up beginning Wednesday, June 5 at the Registrar's Office, Room 125, Henry Hicks Academic Administration Building during regular office hours.

We encourage graduates living in the Halifax/Dartmouth/Bedford/Sackville area to pick up their parchment to avoid delay. 

You may have someone pick up your parchment on your behalf, provided you send authorization (including the individual’s name) by email (convocation@dal.ca). The individual will be asked to show photo identification at the time of pickup.

Before collecting your parchment, please make sure to settle any outstanding fees. Please be aware that parchments cannot be released to students with balances exceeding $100. For instructions on viewing your student account, follow the guidelines provided here.

Parchments will be couriered in mid-June to those graduates who did not attend Convocation and who indicated they would like to have their parchment mailed to them. It is very important that you ensure your current address and telephone number in DalOnline is accurate by May 31.

Dalhousie is happy to cover the cost of the initial mailing of your parchment. Subsequent mailing due to incorrect or incomplete addresses will be at the graduate's expense. 

The Convocation Team is here to assist, should you or your guests require special accommodations in order to attend and enjoy your Convocation ceremony. Please contact the Convocation Team to discuss your needs.

Flowers

Bouquets will be available for purchase onsite or pre-ordered online before the ceremonies.

Parchment Frames and Rings

Dalhousie's Bookstore offers a parchment framing service and graduate rings for purchase during the ceremonies. Visit bookstore.dal.ca/dalgrad for frame and ring options.

Frames and rings will be available for purchase onsite during convocation and throughout the year at the bookstore in the Student Union Building.

Photography

Dalhousie will contract the services of a professional photography vendor, Calnen Photography, to photograph all graduates onstage during the ceremony.

Graduates must consent to Calnen taking their photograph on stage prior to their convocation ceremony. Graduates can access the consent form here.

A link to the digital proof and photography package information will be provided to graduates who have provided consent by Calnen Photography shortly after convocation. There is no obligation to make a purchase.

Calnen Photography will be onsite at the MacRae Library (Truro) on May 21st and in Halifax at the Convocation Hub (2nd floor, Student Union Building) from May 22 - 31 to take posed portraits.

Click here to book a portrait sitting in Truro on May 21st.

Click here to book a portrait sitting in Halifax between May 22 - 31.

Click here if you would like to book a portrait sitting in advance of Convocation at Calnen Photography, 5495 Spring Garden Road.

Graduating with Distinction

For non-honours students in undergraduate degree programs, and diploma students in the Faculty of Agriculture.

Students in the Faculties of Agriculture, Architecture and Planning, Arts and Social Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Science and Management who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.70 upon graduation will be placed on the Distinction list.

Students in the Faculty of Health who have a degree GPA of 3.70, as calculated in the Earned Credit Hours section of their Degree Audit, upon graduation will be placed on the Distinction list. Students who have been on the Dean’s List for three of the four years of the Pharmacy Program and a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or higher will graduate with Distinction.

Students in the Faculties of Architecture and Planning, Computer Science, and Engineering who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.85 upon graduation will be placed on the Sexton Distinction list, instead of the Distinction list.

To determine which students will graduate with distinction from the Faculty of Medicine, performance and distinctions from all four years are considered. This determination is made by the faculty's awards committee.

Honours students

Arts and Social Sciences: Graduates are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.70. Included in the GPA calculation are courses in the honours subject(s) and the single subject chosen for two credits outside the honours subject or, where appropriate, the minor subject.

To achieve First-Class Honours, graduates are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.70. Included in the GPA calculation are courses in the honours subject(s) and the single subject chosen for two credits outside the honours subject or, where appropriate, the minor subject.

Science: Graduates are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Included in the GPA calculation are courses in the honours subject(s).

To achieve First-Class Honours, graduates are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.70. Included in the GPA calculation are courses in the honours subject(s).

Computer Science: Graduates are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all of the courses in computer science.

First-Class Honours standing is awarded to students who obtain a minimum GPA of 3.70 in all of the courses in computer science.

Kinesiology: First-Class Honours standing is achieved by students who satisfy the degree requirements with a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or higher.

To achieve First-Class Honours, graduates are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.70. Included in the GPA calculation are courses in the honours subject(s).

Computer Science: Graduates are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in all of the courses in computer science.

First-Class Honours standing is awarded to students who obtain a minimum GPA of 3.70 in all of the courses in computer science.

Kinesiology: First-Class Honours standing is achieved by students who satisfy the degree requirements with a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or higher.

Medals

Governor-General's Gold Medals are awarded to graduates in the Faculty of Graduate Studies who have achieved overall academic excellence. Two gold medals are awarded; one to the most outstanding Master's graduate in the Natural Sciences and Engineering, and one to the most outstanding Master's graduate in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Governor-General's Silver Medal is awarded to the undergraduate graduate who has achieved the highest academic standing among graduates of baccalaureate programs.

University Silver Medal is awarded to the graduate who is judged to be the leading First Class Honours student among graduates of baccalaureate programs. The recipient cannot have received the Governor-General's Silver Medal.

Avery Prize is awarded to the graduate with the highest standing among those graduating from the general degree program. The recipient cannot have received the Governor General's Silver Medal.

University Medals

Architecture and Planning, Engineering, Management: Medals are awarded to the graduate who has achieved the highest cumulative average. One medal is awarded per department.

Arts and Social Sciences, Science, Commerce, Computer Science: Medals are awarded to an Honour's graduate in recognition of superior achievement in his/her field of study. One medal is awarded per department.

Health Professions: Medals are awarded to the graduates who obtain the highest academic standing in their particular programs, provided they meet the requirements set by the Faculty.  One medal is awarded from each of the schools/college within the Faculty of Health Professions.

Law:  University Medal in Law is awarded to the graduate who has achieved the highest cumulative average over the three years of study in the Schulich School of Law and among those attaining First Class distinction in the studies of Third Year, and who has achieved a very high standard of excellence. (Eligibility is determined solely on the basis of law courses.)

Dentistry:  Dr. D.S. Precious University Medal in Dentistry is awarded to the graduate who has met the requirements for graduation with distinction and who, in the opinion of Faculty, merits the award.

Medicine: The C.B. Stewart Gold Medal is awarded to the graduate standing highest in the regular medical course as determined by the Faculty.

October graduates are eligible for consideration for medals awarded at Spring Convocation.

If you indicated on your Application to Graduate that you plan to attend and are now unable to attend the Convocation ceremony, please notify us as soon as possible by emailing convocation@dal.ca.

Please include the following information in your email: your B00#, degree/program, and if you would like to pick up your parchment at the Registrar's Office or if you would prefer we mail it to you.

We encourage graduates living in the Halifax/Dartmouth/Bedford/Sackville area to pick up their parchment to avoid delay.

Parchments will be mailed in mid-June to those graduates who did not attend Convocation and who indicated they would like to have their parchment mailed to them. It is very important that you ensure your current address and telephone number in DalOnline is accurate by May 31.

How to update your address and telephone number in DalOnline
Please use the following instructions to check and/or update your current address and telephone number in DalOnline. 

1. Login to DalOnline.
2. Click on “Personal Information”
3. Click on “View/Update Personal Information”
4. Scroll to Address and/or Phone Number section. Here, you can either Edit your current information or select 'Add New'. Editing your current mailing address is best.

You can send the parchment to any address you choose, as long as it is listed as the Mailing Address. Anyone in the household at the Mailing Address can sign for the shipment on your behalf.

DO NOT select Parent Address (even if the address is a parent/guardian residence).

If you are adding a new address:
- ensure you select the proper start and end dates for your address.
- ensure you select Mailing Address from the dropdown menu.
- If an existing address is still listed for you, please ensure the address end date is before the start date for your new address.