As pandemic restrictions ease, Queen’s is not only gearing up to welcome the university community safely back to on-campus activities this fall, but also preparing to fulfill an important promise to those recent alumni who went without formal graduation ceremonies. In a letter to those graduates, Principal Patrick Deane announced that between October 12-22 and November 16-17, 2021, Queen’s is planning in-person convocation celebrations for Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 graduates.

“Convocation is a capstone event for Queen’s graduates, their families and friends, and the Queen’s community,” Patrick Deane said this week in his letter to graduates. “We are moving forward with plans for in-person ceremonies this fall in Grant Hall, subject to the evolving public health environment and related provincial regulations. Receiving your university degree at convocation is something you dream about when you begin your studies at Queen’s and we want to provide you with an event that both acknowledges and celebrates your hard work, commitment and of course, achievement.”

The health and safety of graduates, their families and guests, and the local community remain Queen’s top priority. University organizers for these events are working to create unique and memorable celebration events that will balancing graduate and guest event capacity with local public health advice and regulations, and any provincial guidelines for large public gatherings. Graduates will be permitted a maximum of two guests, and the university is striving to confirm attendance in advance to design the safest possible celebrations.

“These events will be conducted with the utmost attention to safety,” Principal Deane wrote. “As is necessary during these unpredictable times, we must acknowledge that proceeding with these events will remain dependent upon public health regulations in place at the time.”

Currently, plans will see ceremonies take place at Grant Hall. Those students set to receive their degrees in Fall 2021 will graduate as part of the planned November events.