General information

Orientation

All those receiving degrees during a ceremony on May 28 or 29 are required to attend a mandatory orientation session in the Alberta Alumni Recreation Centre, first floor of The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER prior to their ceremony.

Led by the Marshal, the orientation provides graduands with instructions and information not only on their role in what can be a rather complex pattern of events during the actual ceremony, but on topics such as the proper way to wear academic regalia as well as the degree-granting process.

Graduands will pick up their parade cards and regalia prior to their orientation session. You will present your parade card, from which your name will be read as you cross the platform to graduate, to the Orator. In addition to your name, it will contain a number to ensure that you are lined up and seated in the correct order.

UNB asks that graduands do not take personal belongings such as purses, backpacks, jackets, flowers, and confetti into the performance hall. A coat check will be available in the orientation space for last minute items that need to be left. Checked items must be picked up immediately following the ceremony.

Ceremony schedule

Graduand name pronunciation recording feature

Although not mandatory, graduating students are invited to self-record themselves pronouncing their name for the purpose of assisting orators in learning the proper pronunciation. Orators call the names of graduands as they cross the stage. UNB aims to support orators in announcing names as accurately as possible.

Upon submitting your application to graduate, you will receive an auto-response email with additional information. A link to access the optional name pronunciation recording feature is available on the auto-response email. You will read a privacy statement and if you give permission, you will answer a few questions about the ceremony from which you will graduate and have an opportunity to upload your voice recording. If you do not give permission, you can just leave the site. Please email graduation@unb.ca if you have questions.

Tickets

Although graduands do not require a ticket, guests who wish to attend must have a ticket for admission, including children. Each graduand may access up to four complimentary tickets. Tickets must be accessed online by the graduand, as tickets are not available to the public.

Information on obtaining tickets will be provided at a later late.

Please advise your guests that the performance hall will be open for seating one hour before the ceremony. Seats are unassigned and available on a first-come, first-served basis. UNB has introduced new safety measures for guests. Personal belongings such as backpacks may be checked upon entry to the performance hall. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Friends and family who do not have a ticket will be able to view the ceremony from the comfort of their homes via a live feed at UNB.ca/graduation.

Accessibility

UNB is committed to providing accessible and inclusive spaces and experiences on campus. The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER has barrier free entrances on the first, fourth and fifth floors. The building is equipped with an elevator. Ushers are available to direct guests with limited mobility to the accessible seating area on the fourth floor. See the campus map to identify accessible parking, accessible entrances, and accessible washrooms.

Graduands will cross the platform to accept their degree parchments. The platform is 40 ft x 44 ft and 3 ft in height. The platform is equipped with ramps and stairs on the left and right sides. Ramps have a running slope ratio of 1:12 (8.33%) and have level landings at mid ramp. The ramps are equipped with secure guardrails, have a non-slip surface, and are compliant with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) B651:18 Accessible Design for the Built Environment.

Ceremonies will be live streamed at UNB.ca/graduation for those who wish to watch the ceremony from the comfort of their homes. Closed captioning will be available.

UNB is scent aware. Please respect the health of others by using products without perfume/cologne or reducing the amount you wear.

UNB asks that balloons not be brought inside The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER, as they create a visual barrier in the seating area as well as pose a threat to those with latex anaphylaxis.

If you wish to request accommodations for yourself or your guests, or if you want to test the ramp before your ceremony, please email graduation@unb.ca.

Photos during the ceremony

The UNB photographer will take a photograph of each graduate receiving a degree parchment on the platform. You will be able to easily download a free print quality photograph a few weeks after the ceremony. Details will appear in the graduation program.

Please encourage your guests to take their photographs prior to and/or after the ceremony. We ask that guests not come to the platform to take photos.

Purchase a degree parchment frame

Frame your success! Purchase a degree parchment frame from your UNB Associated Alumni and display your degree with pride. The Associated Alumni team will be on-site selling frames in The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER, fourth floor lobby.

Flowers available for purchase

Flowers may be pre-ordered and picked up prior to the ceremony or purchased on-site in The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER, fourth floor lobby.

Pre-order your bouquet

UNB branded products available

The UNB Bookstore will have branded merchandise on-site in The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER, fourth floor lobby.

Reception

Following the ceremony, graduates, their guests and ceremony participants are invited to an Encaenia Tea. Light refreshments will be served.

Won’t be able to attend the ceremony?

If you are unable to attend the ceremony, your degree parchment will be mailed to you the week after Encaenia.

If you are unable to attend the ceremony, your name will not be announced but will appear in the program.

Has your address changed?

If you are an undergraduate student who needs to update the address you provided on your application to graduate, email grads@unb.ca. For graduate students, email andrea.ruehlicke@unb.ca.