Ceremony Location and Schedule

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Winspear Centre
4 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, Alberta

• View Winspear Centre location on GoogleMaps

PLEASE NOTE: Ceremony times are subject to change. This schedule may be updated in spring 2017.

Schedule for the day

9:00 am	Doors open for morning ceremony graduates and guests.
10:00 - 11:45 am	Morning Ceremony Graduates must arrive by 9:30 am. Convocation ceremony begins at 10:00 am. Academic Upgrading - High School Equivalency Diploma Accounting Technician Certificate Administrative Professional Certificate Advanced Education in Orthopaedics for LPNs Certificate Apprenticeship Prep Certificate Business Administration Diploma Community Support Worker Certificate Day Home Provider Certificate Early Learning and Child Care Certificate Health Care Aide Certificate Hospital Unit Clerk Certificate Literacy and Essential Skills Pathways Certificate Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Certificate Mental Health Rehabilitation Diploma Pharmacy Technician Diploma Physical Therapy Assistant Diploma Social Work Diploma Therapeutic Recreation Certificate and Diploma Transitions to Employment Certificate
12:00 pm	Winspear Centre doors close to prepare for afternoon ceremony
1:00 pm	Doors open for afternoon ceremony graduates and guests
2:00 - 3:45 pm	Afternoon Ceremony for: Graduates must arrive by 1:30 pm. Convocation ceremony begins at 2:00 pm. Practical Nurse Diploma Practical Nurse Refresher
4:00 pm	Winspear Centre closes

Arrival Times & Late Graduates

The Winspear Centre doors open at 9:00 AM for the morning ceremony and at 1:00 PM for the afternoon ceremony. After the morning ceremony the doors to the Winspear Centre will be closed to allow for a preparation period between ceremonies and will re-open at 1:00 PM. Allow extra time for parking and unforeseen delays. Late arrivals may not be permitted to fully participate in the ceremony.

Arrive early!

Graduates - It is important that you are seated prior to the scheduled start time of your ceremony. Even if you have registered for Convocation, NorQuest College is unable to guarantee you will be included in the ceremony if you do not arrive on time.

Wearing Your Cap and Gown

You should be wearing your gown, v-stole and cap when you enter the Winspear Centre. Keep your ticket and your name card in your hand. Ensure you have your v-stole positioned correctly with the short side in front and the long side in the back. Mortarboard caps should be parallel to the ground with the tassel hanging on the right side.

Seating

Graduates have assigned seating; guests will have general seating.

Graduate Seating

Make certain you have your ticket, cap, gown, and name card with you for admittance to the Winspear Centre. Show your ticket at the front door and take your assigned seat as indicated on your ticket. It is important you sit in your assigned seat as credentials will be conferred in the same order as the names appear in the program, which also corresponds to the graduate seating plan.

Ushers will be available to help you find your seat and to provide assistance before and during the ceremony. All graduates are required to remain in their seats until the conclusion of the ceremony.

What to do with your personal items

If you choose to carry a handbag or other personal items, you may leave them on your seat when you go onstage or you can leave them with one of your guests. You will not be able to carry anything with you when you cross the stage. NorQuest College and the Winspear Centre are not liable for any loss or damage to items left unattended.

Guest Seating

Your guests must have their tickets to be admitted to the Winspear Centre. Guest tickets are general seating and are not assigned. Children are more than welcome to attend Convocation but must be seated with your guests in the audience. Children will not be able to sit with graduates during the ceremony.

Program

Your ceremony will be 1.5 to 2 hours in length.

1. Following the welcome, academic procession and greetings, graduates will be acknowledged according to their program.
2. Ushers will direct you to proceed to the stage.
3. When it is your turn to walk across the stage, hand your name card to the graduate announcer. You will get your name card during gown pick-up.
4. You will exit the stage and return to your assigned seat.

Ceremony Process

When it is your turn to go onstage, volunteers will guide your row to the backstage area. You will hand your name card to the name announcer prior to going onstage. Your name will be called and you will walk across the stage to receive your parchment holder and college pin and to shake hands with the President, the Dean, and Associate Dean(s) of your faculty.

After you receive your parchment holder, you will be directed back to your seat. Please remain seated quietly for the rest of the ceremony to show your support and respect for your fellow graduates.

Gown Return immediately following ceremonies

IMPORTANT: You must return your gown and v-stole before leaving the Winspear.

Your gown and v-stole must be returned before you leave the Winspear Centre. You may keep you tassel and mortarboard. Graduates failing to return their gown and stoles immediately after the ceremony will charged $95-$145 for all unreturned or damaged regalia by Gaspard (the gown rental provider).

Special Arrangements

Please email Convocation@norquest.ca if you require special services or assistance at the ceremony.

Additional Convocation Information

Food and Drink

It is the policy of the Winspear Centre that food and drinks from outside sources are not permitted in the building.

Footwear

Select footwear that will allow you to stand comfortably for periods of time and cross the stage safely.

Transportation & Parking

The Winspear Centre is readily accessible by both bus and LRT service. The LRT terminal is Churchill Station. There are three underground parkades close to the Winspear Centre:

• Stanley Milner Library Parkade
• City Hall Parkade
• Canada Place Parkade

Parkade rates can range from $4 to $5 per hour ($20 daily maximum). Designated parking for people with disabilities is available in the underground Library parkade.