Graduation checklist

All ceremonies will be held in the Douglas College Theatre at the New Westminster Campus.

Information about guest tickets will be sent to you by Jan. 28, after you have confirmed you have paid your registration fee and reserved your regalia. 

How many guests am I allowed to bring?

If you require special accommodation (e.g., sign language interpretation or wheelchair access), please fill out this form and email it to convocation@douglascollege.ca at least two weeks before your ceremony.

Parking at the New Westminster Campus will be complimentary to everyone Feb 17-20. Parking is free of charge and guests can use any stall even those that say employee parking. Parking is first come first serve.

What to bring

• Government-issued photo ID or Student ID
• Gaspard confirmation (regalia rental confirmation)

What to wear

• You will be wearing a gown over your clothing, so you can dress however you like. Some grads choose to wear dresses, skirts, dress pants or jeans. Remember, you will be on stage for some time under the theatre lights; it can become quite warm.
• Coat check is available to leave any bags and other personal items prior to joining the procession.

Are you considering dressing or bringing ceremonial items to your graduation ceremony? Please let us know in advance by contacting convocation@douglascollege.ca. 

Indigenous students are welcome to wear ceremonial regalia in place of, or with, Douglas College regalia.

Please arrive at the Douglas College New Westminster Campus 1.5 hours before your ceremony begins. 

Make sure you have your government issued photo ID or student ID card with you. A staffed coat check is available on the third floor; you are welcome to leave your bags or larger items there. Alternatively, feel free to leave large items with your guests.

1. Regalia pick-up
   • Check in, and receive your regalia, in room N3302. Your Gaspard/regalia order confirmation is required.
2. Credential pick-up
   • Pick up your credential in room N3406. Your government-issued photo ID or student ID card are required.
3. Pinning
   • For bachelor’s, post-degree diploma, post-baccalaureate diploma and graduate diploma graduates, your regalia will include a hood. Proceed to N3407 for your hood to be pinned onto your gown.
   • For certificate, diploma and associate degree graduates, your regalia will include a stole. Stoles do not require pinning, so please go straight to the procession room.
4. Report to procession room
   • Instructions and an overview of the ceremony will be provided to you in your designated pre-procession room (look for signage on the day of the event).
5. Attend the Cake and Coffee Social after the ceremony
   • After the ceremony, you and your guests are invited to celebrate at the Cake and Coffee Social in the concourse and in the Graduation Lounge in the cafeteria.
6. Drop off regalia
   • After the social, drop off your regalia by the Gaspard booth outside the cafeteria.

• Anyone can watch the livestream using any device on the day of each ceremony.
• An overflow room, N2201, near the concourse is available to watch the ceremonies. Look for ushers to direct guests to that location.

Each convocation ceremony will last approximately 90-120 minutes.

After the ceremony, graduates and guests are invited to celebrate at the Cake and Coffee Social in the concourse and in the Graduation Lounge in the cafeteria. The celebrations will include the following:

• Cupcakes and coffee
• Photo opportunities
• Activities hosted by Alumni Relations
• Music

Book your official graduation portraits before the grad ceremonies and beat the rush. Book your spot today.

• Location: Unit 250, 1868 Glen Dr., Vancouver
• $100 deposit that will be used toward your final purchase

Can’t make it to the studio before convocation? Don’t worry, Cakewalk Media will be at Douglas College capturing your walk across the stage. Optional graduation portraits booths will be available at Douglas College during the ceremony dates.

During the ceremony:

• No flash photography allowed during the ceremony.
• Please keep theatre aisles clear during the ceremony.
• Cakewalk Media will capture each graduate crossing the stage to shake hands with the College president and members of their faculty.
• Cakewalk Media will capture a portrait of each graduate off stage using a background and one main light.
• All photos of the ceremony will be hosted on an online gallery provided via a shared link within 48 hours of the ceremony.

Douglas College does not provide childminding services. If you are bringing young guests to the ceremony, please ensure to also bring along a responsible adult who can provide supervision to them during the entire graduation ceremony.

• Grads unable to attend their ceremony may pick up their credential Feb. 23-27 at the New Westminster Campus Enrolment Services office. Your student ID or government-issued photo ID is required. 

  If you would like a third party (family or friend) to pick up your credential, the authorized designate must bring in a signed and completed Third Party Pick Up Form. 

  All remaining credentials will be mailed out in March to your mailing address in myAccount.If you cannot attend your ceremony, please ensure your mailing address in myAccount is accurate. 

• Arrangements can be made to pick up your credential at the Coquitlam Campus. Please email convocation@douglascollege.ca.