Ceremony instructions

Led by the Marshal, the orientation or rehearsal 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.

Prior to the ceremony, graduands will begin lining up in the proper order and will walk in pairs, by number. You must ensure you bring your parade card with you as these cards ensure your proper location in the procession.

For the Bachelor’s degree recipients, the tassel dangles on the left side of the mortarboards. (This will move to the right side of the academic cap after your photograph has been taken with the appropriate dean and after leaving the stage.) For Master’s degree recipients, the tassel dangles on the right side of the academic cap and remains on that side. The top of the cap should rest flat on the head. Those receiving their PhDs will wear a beefeater tam.

Bachelor’s hoods are worn with the colour showing only on the left shoulder. Undergraduands receiving more than one degree wear the hood representing their first degree and carry the hood for their second degree on their left arm. Doctoral graduands also carry their hoods on the left arm. Master’s and PhD hoods are worn open on both sides.

For the procession in Fredericton, the piper will lead the Marshals and graduands in a procession from the second-floor walking track, through the second floor of the Kinesiology Building and up Mackay Drive to The Richard J. CURRIE CENTER.

In Saint John, the piper will lead the Marshals and graduands in a procession from the Quad to the back of the G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre.

Conferring of degrees

After some preliminary words, the person announcing the names announces, "Candidates for the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy, Master’s and Bachelor’s will stand, if able, for the Supplication, Presentation and Admission.”

Graduands will stand in unison until completion of the presentation (an exchange, in Latin, between the person announcing the names and the President). Then the person announcing the names will begin with doctorate graduands and announce, “Candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy please proceed onto the platform for individual acceptance. All other candidates, you may be seated.”

The front row will remain standing

Graduands in the front row only remain standing in readiness to move forward to the platform; other graduands remain seated. Front row graduands advance to the left side of the aisle, in single file. The person in front of you should have a lower number on their card. Each graduand will climb the ramp and present their card to the person announcing the names, who does not return it.

The second-row graduands stand when they are directed to do so by the Marshal and proceed to the ramp next to the platform. Subsequently other rows stand and proceed in turn.

When the person announcing the graduates’ names reads the graduands’ names, they move across the platform, acknowledging the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick with a nod, if in attendance.

• Doctoral graduands will proceed to centre stage to be hooded by the Chancellor and to receive their degree parchments from the President. A photograph will be taken by the UNB photographer, then they will proceed to the far right of the platform to exit.

• Master’s graduands will pause in front of the President, who will gently tap the right shoulder with a mortarboard, while shaking hands. They will proceed to the far side of the platform to receive their degree parchments from the associate dean of the School of Graduate Studies. A photograph will be taken by the UNB photographer.

• Bachelor’s graduands will cross the platform, nodding to both the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, if in attendance, and the President, then proceed to its far side to receive their degree parchments from their dean (or representative). A photograph will be taken by the UNB photographer.

If you prefer not to shake hands, please place your hand, palm side down, on the left side of your chest.

After Bachelor’s graduates exit the platform, the tassel is moved to the right side of the mortarboard. Bachelor’s degree graduates may now turn the right side of the hood open so the entire hood is shown.

Concurrent degree graduates

Graduands receiving more than one degree should make themselves known to the Marshal at the orientation or rehearsal. The Marshal will provide you with specific instructions regarding receiving your second degree.

Concurrent degree graduands planning to attend are asked to email their respective campus’s Registrar’s Office (Fredericton – grads@unb.ca or Saint John – unbsjreg@unb.ca), in addition to completing the application to graduate form.

Two hoods

Concurrent degree graduands will require two hoods – one representing each degree, for example BA/BEd. When placing your rental order (gown, hood, cap), through the regalia rental site for the first degree, select the option to “add more to order” to reserve a second hood at no additional charge. You will pick up both hoods at the same time with your gown. All rental regalia must be returned immediately following the ceremony. If both hoods are not returned with the gown, graduates will be responsible for paying replacement costs.

For more information about the graduation ceremonies, email graduation@unb.ca.