Convocation

Your attendance is confirmed when you place a cap and gown order. The cost of the cap and gown rental is $49.25 (taxes included) before the deadline date.

In keeping with tradition, formal academic attire consisting of a cap and tassel, hood and gown (adorned with an Indigenous graduation stole if eligible) is a requirement for graduates to cross the stage. The cap and tassel are a souvenir for you to keep. RRC Polytech’s cap and gown rentals are provided by Gaspard.

If you do not have a credit card and cannot place an order online, please visit a Student Service Centre to place an order by debit card.

If you are scheduled to graduate at the upcoming ceremonies, you will receive the following emails to both your personal and academic email accounts:

1. Reminder to Apply to Graduate
2. Information about the dates and times of each ceremony, instructions on how to confirm your attendance, and details on how to purchase your gown rental and Indigenous stoles (three emails starting approximately three months before the ceremony dates)
3. Ceremony details for graduates attending the ceremony (sent a few days prior to the event)

Visit our online Campus Store or the pop-up shop at convocation to find a variety of graduation gifts and parchment frames for purchase.

Souvenirs available (taxes included):

• Cap and tassel souvenir – $8.50
• Tassel souvenir – $3.25

Please contact the Student Service Centre at 204-632-2327 or studentservices@rrc.ca to make a payment.

Souvenirs will be available after Convocation. You may arrange to pick up your souvenirs from a Student Service Centre or pay $8.40 (taxes included) to have your souvenirs mailed to you.

• A $30 session fee is to be paid to your photographer at the time of your session. Debit or credit is preferred, but cash and cheque will be accepted. Cheque made payable to Lifetouch Canada.
• Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. Anyone who is late will not be photographed and cancellations will require 48 hour notice.
• Photographers will provide the grad gown, cap, tassel and v-stole/hood for your appointment.
• Lifetouch will not provide dress shirts and ties, so please come prepared already dressed in this attire. Please ensure your tie is pre-tied before your appointment or use a clip-on tie. Graduates who prefer to not wear a dress shirt with or without a tie, we suggest wearing a v-neck shirt. Hair and makeup must be done before your photo session starts.
• Two to three weeks after your photo session, you will receive a set of proofs by Canada Post and an email with a link to view your graduation proofs, photo ordering package information and prices. Keep in mind that your proofs are not retouched, but your finished portrait order will include basic retouching at no charge to eliminate blemishes and soften lines. Premium retouching is available at an additional cost.
• The College does not offer professional crossing-the-stage photos. However, your family and friends, or fellow graduates, are welcome to approach the stage to take your photo as you cross.

Graduation Portrait Sessions

To ensure we send your important documents and communications to the correct locations, please verify that the College has your current mailing address and preferred email address.

To check:

1. Visit HUB
2. Select Payments and Profile under Applications
3. Tap or click on your username (top-right corner)
4. Tap or click User Profile

Historically, all graduates have been called to cross the stage by their full legal name. In alignment with our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, the College recognizes the importance of respecting individual preference and is offering graduates the opportunity to use a chosen first and/or middle name as they are honoured at convocation. Your chosen name will appear in the convocation program and will be called out as you cross the stage during the ceremony.

You will have an opportunity to provide this information when placing your cap and gown rental order. If you are not planning to attend the ceremony, please contact us at convocation@rrc.ca to request a change.

Graduation refers to the completion of your program requirements that officially awards you with your certificate, diploma or degree.

Convocation refers to the formal ceremony that recognizes and celebrates the completion of your academic studies.

Parchment is the official document that certifies the successful completion of certificate, diploma or degree.