What to Expect: Day-of

We want to see Convocation through your eyes! Make sure to use the #Algonquin2025 hashtag to share photos, videos, and kind celebratory words on social media.

What will the 2025 Spring Convocation look like?

Ottawa Campus and AC Online Campus
Canadian Tire Centre
June 17-20, 2025

Map of Canadian Tire Centre, displaying graduate entrance at gate 2, which is at the North-West side of the arena, and the guest entrance which is at the North-East side of the arena.

In-person Experience
Parking on the day of your ceremony is complimentary at the Canadian Tire Centre- please park in lots 6 or 7.

This experience will be very similar to the traditional Convocation experiences you may have seen or attended in the past. You will arrive at the Convocation venue one hour before your designated ceremony start time with your guest(s), and retrieve your graduation gown and other information. You will then line up and get ready to be seated in the main Convocation area with your classmates. You will hear your name, and academic achievement distinction (if applicable) called, and you will cross the stage. Once over the stage, you will be directed backstage to have your graduate photo taken. You will then pick up your credential from the Registrar’s Office staff in the diploma area. You will then be directed back to your seat to observe the rest of the Convocation ceremony. Check out our video below to watch this in action!

The lengths of the ceremonies vary; the average time allotted for a ceremony is two hours from when you enter the arena ceremony area, to the conclusion of the event. Note: this does not include the mandatory graduate arrival time of one-hour prior to the ceremony start time.

If you are scheduled to attend a Ceremony starting at 9:30 a.m., you must arrive at 8:30 a.m. Your schedule is as follows:

  • 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.: Arrive at the Canadian Tire Centre and retrieve your Marshall Card from the registration table inside.
  • 8:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.: Time to get gowned! A member of Algonquin College’s staff will assist you in finding the right size of gown, and provide you with your v-stole.
  • 9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.: Find your place in line. The time is almost here!
  • 9:15 a.m.: Verbal instructions are provided to all ready graduates on what to expect, where to go, and next steps.
  • 9:20 a.m.: *Drumroll please* it’s time to be directed to the main show area, and be guided to your seat.
  • 9:30 a.m.: Showtime. Time to celebrate!

If you are scheduled to attend a Ceremony starting at 2:30 p.m., you must arrive at 1:30 p.m. Your schedule is as follows:

  • 1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.: Arrive at the Canadian Tire Centre and retrieve your Marshall Card from the registration table inside.
  • 1:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Time to get gowned! A member of Algonquin College’s staff will assist you in finding the right size of gown, and provide you with your v-stole.
  • 2:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.: Find your place in line. The time is almost here!
  • 2:15 p.m.: Verbal instructions are provided to all ready graduates on what to expect, where to go, and next steps.
  • 2:20 p.m.: *Drumroll please* it’s time to be directed to the main show area, and be guided to your seat.
  • 2:30 p.m.: Showtime. Time to celebrate!

If you are scheduled to attend a Ceremony starting at 7:00 p.m., you must arrive at 6:00 p.m. Your schedule is as follows:

  • 6:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.: Arrive at the Canadian Tire Centre and retrieve your Marshall Card from the registration table inside.
  • 6:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Time to get gowned! A member of Algonquin College’s staff will assist you in finding the right size of gown, and provide you with your v-stole.
  • 6:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.: Find your place in line. The time is almost here!
  • 6:45 p.m.: Verbal instructions are provided to all ready graduates on what to expect, where to go, and next steps.
  • 6:50 p.m.: *Drumroll please* it’s time to be directed to the main show area, and be guided to your seat.
  • 7:00 p.m.: Showtime. Time to celebrate!

Registering for Convocation
In early May, graduates from the 2024 Spring term and 2024 Fall term, and students registered in their final level of studies in the 2025 Winter term will receive an invitation to register for Convocation. Please note: registering for Convocation does not confirm your program completion and graduation eligibility; you must successfully complete your program requirements by June 13, 2025 in order to be eligible to attend the 2025 Convocation ceremonies.

Official Convocation Invitations
Confirmation of graduation for the Ottawa and AC Online Campuses were sent early-May 2025.

  • If you are an international student requiring information on how to invite your family from outside of Canada, please refer to this detailed instruction sheet.

Detailed Convocation Schedule
You can find the detailed Convocation schedule by selecting your campus under the ‘2025 Spring Convocation Schedules’ tab on the Convocation homepage.

Graduate Guest Allotment
Ottawa Campus and AC Online Campus: unlimited guests

Accessibility Considerations
Algonquin College is committed to providing a barrier-free convocation ceremony for graduates and guests. Eligible graduates will be asked to indicate their accessibility needs, as well as those of their guests, during the registration process in May 2025. It is recommended that you make your needs known in advance, so that we have time to work with you to make the necessary arrangements before the ceremony. There will be an Accessibility Desk located in the graduate gowning area to provide you with assistance on the day of the event.

Physical
We recommend that graduates with mobility or physical accessibility needs arrive 15 minutes before other graduates on the day of the ceremony to ensure smooth access to the venue.
Parking spaces for guests with disabilities are available on a first-come, first served basis in Lot 3 at the southeast corner of the Canadian Tire Centre. To access the accessible parking lot, you must have a government- issued hang tag; those without a government issued hang tag will be redirected to a general parking lot. For further information please contact the Canadian Tire Centre at 613-599-0100.

Sensory Considerations
The convocation ceremonies can be long, hot, busy, crowded, and noisy. Dress appropriately, knowing that graduation gowns can be hot, and that you may be waiting in line for some time. Processional and ceremonial activities include indigenous drumming, speeches, videos, live performances, and recorded music. Ear plugs will be available at the Accessibility Desk, or you can bring your own pair. If you think you may become overwhelmed during the ceremony, consider making a plan for addressing your needs in consultation with family, friends and/or volunteers at the Accessibility Desk. The ceremony will be livestreamed, and links provided under the 2025 Spring Convocation Tab for those guests who prefer to participate remotely.

Ushers will be spread through the venue to assist you with wayfinding. We recommend you make a plan with guests for meeting up at a known location after the ceremony.

Ceremonies will be closed captioned. If you or your guest requires sign language interpretation, please indicate this on your registration form.

If you have any questions regarding accessibility, reach out to us at convocation@algonquincollege.com.

What Can I Expect as a Graduate?

Please note ‘CIBC Gate’ is also named ‘Gate 2’. Gate 2 is just around the right side of the building when coming from the main entrance.