The School of Continuing Studies Spring 2025 Graduation: Frequently Asked Questions
Dear Graduates and Graduands,
Below, we have outlined the frequently asked questions for your information.
| Ceremony | Student Arrival Time |
|---|---|
| Ceremony #1 | 4:30 PM, Thursday, June 12 |
| Ceremony #2 | 5:00 PM, Tuesday, June 17 |
As you are inviting your guests to graduation, you will need to write the letter with the reason (graduation ceremony) and date: June 12 or 17, 2025. We also advise that you provide the “Save the Date” letter that is available in your student portal with this letter (posted here: Grad Save the Date.pdf).
This FAQ is not intended to provide immigration advice. For more information on federal requirements, please visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/letter-invitation.html
You will need to fill out the Intention to Attend Graduation form by April 4th to be considered for an invitation to graduation. You can find a link to the form in the email you received from scsevent@yorku.ca – Subject line: ACTION REQUIRED: Graduation Ceremony – Spring 2025.
If you submitted your Intention to Attend Graduation form by the deadline, your spot is not yet confirmed. By late April, you will receive an official invitation or notice of your status on a waitlist. From there, if you will RSVP (if applicable) and, you will receive an email confirmation of your RSVP. Your tickets will be sent in June.
If you did not submit the Intention to Attend Graduation form by the deadline, we will not be able to accommodate your request. You can fill out the Invite Back form to be invited to a future ceremony: School of Continuing Studies Graduation-Invite Back Request (yorku.ca).
Please check your junk mail as a first step. Your graduation confirmation email would have been sent to the same email address that you received your invitation from. Please note that you will not be considered as registered to attend graduation on June 12 or 17, 2025 until you receive your confirmation of RSVP email.
Please login to your student portal and check the email address that you have on file, your invitation would have been sent to that email address.
If you would like to request extra guest tickets, please fill out the extra guest ticket online form and submit it by 11:59PM on June 6. Please note, requests are not guaranteed, if we can accommodate your request, you will receive the updated number of e-tickets for your guests via email in June. Here is the link to the request form: https://continue.yorku.ca/support/graduation-faqs/graduation-guest-ticket-request/
Yes, each graduate will be provided with a regalia (robe). The robes will be distributed onsite prior to the graduation ceremony and returned following the ceremony, prior to picking up your certificate. While there is no mandatory dress code for the event, we recommend wearing business attire or formal wear.
We will continue the practice of welcoming students, faculty and guests who identify as Indigenous, Metis or Inuit to wear traditional ceremonial dress. Use of custom or individualized stoles or pins is an opportunity that will be considered in the future.
Please plan to arrive at the designated arrival time before the beginning of your ceremony. You will pick up your regalia (robe) and your name card and then report to the marshalling area. If you arrive late, you may not be able to participate in the ceremony.
Ceremony #1 (Thursday June 12): Arrival 4:30PM
Ceremony #2 (Tuesday June 17): Arrival 5:00PM
As it takes time to marshal all of the graduands, it is very important that you arrive on time prior to your ceremony to collect your regalia (robe) and be marshalled in order. The procession of graduands will enter the convocation venue prior to the start of the ceremony. If you arrive after the procession has left, you will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.
Marshalling is the procedure of forming an alphabetical line of graduates for the procession to the stage. Guests are not permitted in the marshalling area. The marshalling area inside the Grad Services Pavilion is not secure, no items should be left behind once the procession starts. Please leave your personal belongings with your guest.
Yes, a ceremony e-program will be available to you via a QR code provided on the day of graduation.
Yes, the graduation ceremony will be live streamed. A link will be posted on the School of Continuing Studies’ website. The link will not be available to access once the ceremony is over.
At each ceremony a professional photographer will photograph each graduate as they cross and exit the stage. Complimentary photograph proofs will be e-mailed to each graduate within one week of convocation ceremonies. There is no obligation to purchase the photos.
If you have not received an email from Grad Images regarding your ceremony photos, please visit their website to find your photos or contact them using the information below.
Grad Images
1-800-372-3686
ecc.giservice@gradimages.net
www.gradimages.com
Yes, you will have time after the ceremony to take photos. Following the ceremony there will be a short reception where you can take photos and mingle with your friends, family and fellow graduates.
You may pick up your certificate on the day of your graduation, after you have returned your robe at the end of your ceremony at the Grad Services Tent. If you will not be attending graduation in June, your certificate will be mailed to your home address.
Graduation will be held at the Convocation Pavilion, Sobeys Stadium (formerly Aviva Centre), located at 1 Shoreham Drive, on the west side of our Keele Campus.
Parking and Transit Information
For location and transportation details please visit: Location and Transportation Details | Convocation
Convocation Parking will be available in the Founders Road West lot, #65 on the campus map, at a flat rate of $10.00. Payments can be made through the HONK Mobile App using the QR code which will be provided at the lot entrance. Additional QR code signs will be placed throughout the parking area for your convenience. The QR code will bring you directly to the payment page, and there is no need to download the App. Accepted payment methods include Debit, Visa, Mastercard, and Apple Pay via the app. Please note that cash payments are not accepted on campus. Payment is required before leaving your vehicle unattended in the lot.
There will be Parking staff stationed at the entrance to assist with any additional payment and/or directional information that may be required. Should guests decide to park in an alternate visitor lot, the standard hourly/daily fee will be required.
Keele Campus Shuttle Service
Guests can walk 13-minutes to Sobeys Stadium or take the complimentary shuttle.
Shuttle busses will run on a continuous loop during Convocation to transport guests between the Founders Road West Lot, Pioneer Village TTC Station, and Sobeys Stadium. Shuttle service begins 90-minutes before the first ceremony and ends one hour after the final ceremony and is subject to availability. Note that if the shuttle bus is full, it will continue to loop, picking up passengers the next time around.
The shuttle bus pick-up location by the parking lot is on Founders Road on the west side near the walkway. The pick-up location from Pioneer Village TTC Subway Station is on Howard Moscow Way on the south side.
A Convocation Site Map with shuttle stop locations will be available here closer to the event date.
Accessible Parking and Guest Drop-off
Accessible parking will be available for those with a valid medical placard, at the Shoreham Drive North Lot. The same parking rate will apply. Payment can be made through the HONK Mobile app or at the paystation.
There is a guest pick-up and drop-off loop located off of Shoreham Drive across from Sobeys Stadium.