Review the graduation checklist to ensure you got all the information you need before the ceremony.
All ceremonies will be held at Laura C. Muir Theatre, New Westminster Campus.
A $20 fee is required to confirm your attendance and rent your regalia (gown) for your ceremony. You must register by January 26. Invitations to reserve and pay the $20 will be emailed to eligible graduates the week of January 6. The link to RSVP your attendance and rent your regalia is on the RSVP website.
Information regarding guest tickets will be sent to you by January 28, after you have confirmed you have paid your registration fee and reserved your regalia.
How many guests am I allowed to bring?
On the RSVP website, graduates may indicate how many guest tickets they would like; you may request up to two “Guaranteed Guest Tickets.”
After all requested Guaranteed Guest Tickets are issued, you may request additional guest tickets by adding guests to the Event Waitlist; the link will be shared along the Guaranteed Guest Tickets.
Waitlist Tickets will be released Jan. 29–Feb. 14 to waitlisted guests as seats become available on a first come, first served basis, and need to be claimed within 48 hours of email notification.
Note that since we prioritize accommodating as many student requests for additional tickets as possible, you may not receive as many additional tickets as requested.
Guests under the age of two do not require a guest ticket; these guests will be required to sit on a parent or guardian’s lap.
Guests without a ticket are still welcome to join you on your graduation day. An overflow room, N2201, near the concourse is available in which to watch the ceremonies. Tickets are not required to join the Cake and Coffee Social after the ceremony.
Additional guest information
Guests must have a ticket to enter the Laura C. Muir Theatre. Guests should arrive 30-45 minutes prior to the ceremony's start time. Doors will open approximately 30 minutes before the ceremony.
Guests who arrive after the procession has begun will be seated by theatre staff when there is an appropriate break in the ceremony (if space permits). Guest seating is unassigned. We ask that guests stay in their seats for the duration of the ceremony.
Guests may wear what they are comfortable in.
Latecomers may not be seated in the theatre.
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 February 18-21, 2025. 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
- 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 and 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.
- Regalia pick-up
- Check in, and receive your regalia, in room N3406. Your Gaspard/regalia order confirmation is required.
- Credential pick-up
- Pick up your credential in room N3408. Your government-issued photo ID and student ID card are required.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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 February 24-28 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 and follow the instructions as outlined on the 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 contact convocation@douglascollege.ca.
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