Your complete guide to getting ready, crossing the stage and celebrating your graduation.
Before you arrive
Parking
- Parking is free in all VIU lots during convocation.
- Accessible parking is available next to the VIU gym (very limited), where the ceremony is held, as well as parking lot Q. Guests can also be dropped off at the south side of the gym or at lot V1 or Lot S off Fourth Street. **Accessibility map to come.**
Guest tickets
- Download the VIU Alumni App before your ceremony date.
- Your requested number of guest tickets (you can select between one and four) will automatically appear in the app.
- You can screenshot and share each ticket with your (up to four) guests.
- Guests will be checked in at the gym entrance. If you have more guests than tickets, extra guests can view the ceremony from our alternative viewing area in Building 210.
Guest info
Don’t forget to send your guests to the convocation homepage for everything they need to know about attending a convocation ceremony.
Your pre-ceremony route
All graduates follow the same route to ensure a smooth ceremony:
Step 1: Pick up your regalia from the Campus Store
Pick up your regalia from the Campus Store June 1 to 5 during regular hours (10 am to 3 pm), or June 8 and 9, hours TBC. For tips on what to wear under your regalia, see our convocation FAQs below.
Step 2: Check in
Once you have your regalia, everyone checks in at the booth outside of the VIUSU Pub (Building 193). Please arrive at the check-in station 60 to 90 minutes before your ceremony is scheduled to start. We will confirm:
- Your oath card
- The correct spelling of your name
- Your name pronunciation
This is also where our volunteers help you get fully “convocation ready,” helping you with your gown and hood if you have one.
Step 3: Go to your muster room
Your program will be assigned to a muster room (in Building 180, 108 or 205) where:
- You line up in stage order.
- Marshals (faculty or staff members in charge of a particular cohort of graduates) prepare you for the walk to the gym.
Step 4: Walk to the VIU gym
Your marshal will lead your group into the gym.
Step 5: Take your assigned seat
Once in the gym, remain in your assigned spot and follow marshal instructions. Now it’s time to enjoy the ceremony! Visit the convocation program website for a detailed order of ceremony, so you can see how the event will roll out.
Step 6: Cross the stage
When it’s your program’s turn:
- Marshals will guide your row to the stage.
- When you reach the centre of the stage, a professional photographer will take your photo. The photo will be provided to you free of charge courtesy of the VIU Alumni department.
- After crossing, you return to your seat until the ceremony is complete.
After the ceremony
A note about parchments
Your official parchment will be mailed to you. Parchments are not handed out at the ceremony. You can also pick up your parchment from the Registration Centre the week of convocation.
Step 7: Go to the alumni reception
Join your family, friends and profs in the cafeteria (Building 30o) immediately after your ceremony! Everybody is welcome to come! Highlights:
- Free self-serve spots for photos with friends, family and your profs.
- Light refreshments available.
- Pick up some alumni swag and learn how you can stay connected to the VIU alumni community.
Formal grad and family photos provided by Concept Photography for a fee, with professional backdrops.
Step 8: Return your regalia
Don’t forget to return your regalia to the Campus Store before leaving campus. Thanks for joining us at convocation!
Convocation FAQs
It will get warm in the gym, so keep your clothing light. If you choose to wear a suit, you may want to leave the jacket on a coat rack in your muster location. Master’s students should be aware that the master’s gown sleeves do not cover your lower arms.
When choosing your footwear, keep in mind that we will walk outdoors from your muster location to the gymnasium, which may include hills or stairs.
No flowers, buttons or other ornamentation are permitted on your regalia.
Be sure to bring all of your regalia with you, and only the basics you need for the ceremony. Students often find having too much to carry becomes a nuisance and items are often forgotten and lost in the muster locations. Water will be available in the muster locations.
Leave valuables at home or with your guests. We cannot guarantee the security of your valuables if you leave them in the muster location. If you do leave anything in the muster room, be sure to retrieve it directly after the ceremony. Items not collected right away can be picked up from the gym office during regular office hours.
If it is raining on convocation day, umbrellas will be provided to graduates for the walk from their muster location to the gym. Umbrellas will be collected as you enter the gym.
Each ceremony is broadcast live on VIU’s YouTube channel. The live feed will start just before the ceremony. If you have family or friends who are unable to attend the ceremony in person, we hope they will be able to share in your experience from afar.
You can take candid photos with your classmates at your muster station. A professional photographer will capture your centre stage moment, alongside your Dean, the President and the Chancellor. You will also see photo op locations with commemorative backgrounds at the alumni reception. These are great spots for your family, friends and supporters to snap a great picture in the moment!
Candid photographs taken during the ceremony and reception by VIU staff members will be made available on VIU’s Facebook page.
We encourage all of you to post photos to social media. Use the hashtag #VIUGrad to help us share your joy.