Ceremony location & parking
See the Family & friends info page.
Ceremony day
When graduating students should arrive
Directions for the date and time of your ceremony.
Plan to arrive early. You must be on-site at least 90 minutes before your ceremony start time. This allows time to pick up your grad card, parchment, and regalia as well as line up for the academic procession.
The procession begins half an hour before your ceremony start time.
Ceremony length
Ceremony lengths vary but usually run around two hours. Give yourself time after your ceremony to enjoy the informal reception and take photographs with family and friends.
When your guests should arrive
Guests are welcome to arrive early for the ceremony. Doors to the ceremony hall will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony.
Seating is not assigned. We recommend arriving early to get the best seats. Cushions are encouraged, as not all seating is padded. Bleachers will be utilized.
Frames, flowers, and UFV merchandise will be available for purchase at the event.
You may want to share the full schedule with your guests.
What to wear
Graduates are required to wear regalia (a black gown and hood or vee-stole) as they cross the stage. Most graduates wear business or dress attire under their gown. Your gown will cover most of your clothing except legs and feet. You will be walking between buildings and standing during the marshalling process and procession. Regalia can be very warm, so lightweight attire is recommended.
Find out about ordering and picking up your grad regalia
What to bring with you
Please only bring personal items that you are comfortable carrying throughout the ceremony. Although there is a coat check available to graduates, the coat check is not a secure storage place. It is recommended that you leave personal items such as purses and coats at home or with your families/guests during the ceremony.
After the ceremony
After the ceremony, there is an informal reception in the Alumni Celebration Plaza, located directly outside of the ceremony hall. Pick a location to meet your friends and family and leave time to take photographs in your regalia. Frames, flowers, and UFV merchandise will be available for purchase at the event.
If you or your guests require assistance
For information about accessible seating, assistance, or sign language interpretation please see the Accessibility page.
Small children
We don’t recommend bringing young children under six or seven years of age to the ceremony — it’s a long event for youngsters to sit through. If a child is restless or noisy, this may be a distraction to other guests. Thanks in advance for your co-operation. There is no child-minding service provided.