RSVP for Graduation Ceremony Attendance

Graduation Ceremonies will be held on Tuesday, June 5, Wednesday, June 6 and Thursday, June 7, 2012. You are invited and encouraged to attend the ceremony to celebrate your accomplishments here at Douglas College. If you plan to attend, please fill out and submit the on-line Graduates RSVP form. The form must be submitted no later than June 1, 2012.  Seating in the Theatre is first-come/first-seated basis and seats cannot be saved for late comers.

Procedures for the ceremonies - Please read carefully.

1. Report to the third floor North Building, one hour prior to your ceremony to check-in and pick up your Credential and gown. Late arrivals will be difficult to accommodate due to the gowning of students - so please be on time! Once gowned, graduates will not be permitted to leave this area. Students are advised to leave purses and bags at home or with guests prior to check-in, a coat check will be available to students but the College is not responsible for any items lost or stolen.  Guests are to go directly to the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre.
2. Your program will meet in a designated area. Once you find your program group, please remain in this area to receive further instructions regarding the processional into the theatre. All graduates and guests are to remain seated in the theatre until the achievements of all students have been recognized.
3. The ceremonies will be approximately 1 - 1 1/2 hours in length. After each ceremony, Graduates and guests are invited to a reception following.
4. Please return the graduation gowns to the Dance Studio (Room 3260) as soon as possible after your ceremony. Remember to sign in your gown as you will be charged the cost of the gown if not returned. Note: Douglas College does not own any gowns for use before or after the ceremony date.

Dress

All students will be provided with a gown for the ceremony. Graduation is a semi-formal event. The Graduation gown is black and approximately knee length.

Graduation Invitations

Each eligible student will receive one invitation for souvenir purposes; guests will not be required to show the invitation at the door.

Tickets

Tickets are not required to attend the graduation ceremonies.  Each student may invite up to three guests.  Seating in the Theatre is first-come/first-seated basis and seats cannot be saved for late comers.  The Theatre doors will open 1 hour prior to the ceremonies beginning.

We remind you that due to limited seating in the Performing Arts Theatre and fire regulations may make it impossible to accommodate everyone. Once the Performing Arts Theatre fills to capacity, additional guests will be able to view the ceremonies from a lecture theatre by live video feed.

Parking

There will be free parking for the days of graduation.  The entrance to the parking lot is off of Victoria Street.

Photographs

Spark Photography will be capturing an action shot of each graduate while crossing the stage during the ceremony. Students will have an opportunity to purchase these photos. In addition, before and after each ceremony, Gabor Gasztonyi will be available for drop-in photo sessions for individual portraits. (Please note: gowns will be available for photographic sessions). It is recommended for graduates who wish individual portraits, to plan to be here two hours prior to the commencement of their ceremony.

Students who currently have courses in progress

If you are currently enrolled in courses that are needed to meet graduation requirements you must verify successful completion of these courses before attending the Graduation Ceremony. Please go to the Douglas College Web site or check with the instructor or department to verify grades.

If you are continuing your studies and will be eligible to receive an additional award at a later time you will be required to apply for the next Graduation Ceremony. As stated on the graduation application: Students may apply for only one award in related fields of study and will be granted to the highest eligible award. To claim a second diploma, either in the same or other graduation term, an additional 50% (30 credits) new workload must be completed.

Name and address verification

Please carefully check that your name and address on your letter is correct; this is how your name will appear on your credential. Contact the Graduation Officer immediately at 604-527-5391 if any corrections are required.

Any changes or corrections that are not reported before May 1, 2012 and the printing of a bachelor degree, an associate degree, diploma, certificate or citation will result in the student bearing any and all associated costs for reprinting. The current price for reprinting is $25.

Award Pickup

1. Degrees/Associates/Diplomas/Certificates/Citations may be picked up by graduates who do not attend the Ceremony at the Office of the Registrar, located at the New Westminster campus between Monday, June 11, 2012 and June 22, 2012. If you would like to pick up your credential at the David Lam campus please contact the Graduation Officer at 604-527-5391 or by email at kerrc@douglascollege.ca. Graduates must present pictured identification at the time of pickup. A person other than the graduate may pick up the award upon presentation of a permission letter signed by the graduate and picture identification of themselves.
2. After June 22, 2012, the awards will be mailed to the permanent address indicated in the students file. Once mailed, the College is not responsible for any damage or loss which may result in the mailing process. Any request for reprinting resulting from loss or damage must be paid by the student. Students are, therefore, encouraged to pick up their awards at the College.

Special Assistance or Request

Students with special needs such as ASL interpreters, photo enlarging or braille, please contact Miriam West 604-527-5120, email cdsinterpreters@douglascollege.ca or TTY - 604-527-5450 by April 30, 2012.