What happens at graduation?
Before the Ceremony:
1. Check Fanshawe OnLine to confirm your grad status and order your tickets. If you miss the deadline to order tickets online, call the Graduation Office at 519.452.4123. You don't need a ticket for yourself.

2. Do you or your guests have any mobility issues — for example, are you in a wheelchair, or does your grandparent use a walker? Use the Comments box when you order your tickets, or call the Head Usher at 519.452.4430, x4718, or the Head Marshal at 519.452.4430, x4305.

3. Check Fanshawe OnLine to see when your tickets were mailed. If you placed your order too late for the tickets to be mailed, we'll advise you to pick up your tickets from the Office of the Registrar before the ceremony.

The Day of the Ceremony:
1. Wear comfortable shoes but not slip-ons. You'll be walking up and down stairs and slip-on shoes sometimes fall off. The graduation gown is knee-length, with a V-neck and long billowing sleeves. It's scarlet polyester. You may wear what you like under it, but you might want to dress up so your photos show it's a special occasion.

2. Bring your guests and your tickets, and park for free! The graduation parking lot shows on the map we sent with your tickets, and also on the graduation website: www.fanshawec.ca/graduation. Make sure you are at J Building an hour ahead of the ceremony.

3. Take your guests to gym J1/2, and give them your valuables, even expensive coats. The gym where you assemble won't be locked and your valuables may be at risk. Don't carry anything you don't have to, such as flowers. And no hats, please! You'll have a scarf put over your head during the ceremony, and hats get in the way.

4. Go to gym J3 to get your gown. You don't need to pay to use a gown at graduation. Sign in, get your gown, and line up by the pole for your program. An orator (likely your program coordinator) and a marshal will help you be in the right place. They'll give you an orator card with your name on it, to hold until needed at the ceremony. Make sure the orator knows how to pronounce your name!

5. The marshal and the orator get you in line and everyone is counted. This helps grad staff be sure there are enough chairs, and the procession is roughly the same size on both sides.

6. While you're waiting, watch the video showing on televisions around the room. The video shows what will happen during the graduation ceremony — the procession, crossing the stage, and some do's and don't's. And when there are announcements, please listen.

7. While you're waiting for the procession to begin, you may go to the washroom, go for a smoke, go see your family, whatever. But! You must leave your gown behind. Take care of business well before the procession begins. Once the procession starts, it's very tough to find your place in line. 8. Between 9:50 and 9:55 a.m., for the morning, or between 1:50 and 1:55 p.m., for the afternoon, the procession to J1/2 begins.

The Procession:
You and the other graduates will move in order to J1/2, and you'll be seated in the order your name is in the graduation program, that is, by division, then program name, then student name.

The Graduation Ceremony:
After the speeches, Jeanine Buss, the Registrar, will invite the first group of grads to come forward, and the ushers and the Head Marshal will guide them to the stairs. As the grads cross the stage, the ushers bring more grads forward.

When it's your turn, go up the stairs and hand your orator card to the Registrar. The orator reads your name, and then you walk across the stage to the other side. A platform party member will put a scarf around your neck and shake your hand. A second platform party member will give you a diploma cover and shake your hand. Your guests will likely take your picture while this is going on. Go down the stairs. You can stop for a moment to have your picture taken, if you like, and then the ushers will show you back to your seat.

Once the ceremony is over, you'll leave the gym in order and be directed back up the hall toward J3. You can take your gown and scarf back then, and get your credential, or you can hold onto your gown for a half-hour or so and get pictures taken. After you return your gown, join your guests at the reception in Forwell Hall.

If you decide not to attend your graduation, we'll send you information on how your credential and transcript will be sent to you.

If you have questions, call the Graduation Office at 519.452.4123, or email graduation@fanshawec.ca, or check the website at www.fanshawec.ca/graduation.

We look forward to congratulating you at your graduation ceremony!

Office of the Registrar
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This column is a Student Success Initiative sponsored by Counselling and Student Life Services, Financial Aid and the Office of the Registrar.