For Parents and Guests
Queen's extends a warm welcome to the parents and guardians, family and guests, of our graduands. In order to fully enjoy your time in Kingston, as well as the Convocation ceremonies, please view the following for important information and services. |
Planning your upcoming trip to Kingston and the Queen's Campus?During Fall Convocation, several construction projects will be occurring in and around the Queen’s Campus. These include: Graduates and their guests are advised to be aware of these activities when planning their travel to and from Convocation The City of Kingston routinely conducts road construction and repairs during the year. For a current list of road projects, including closures and delays, please visit the City's website at: http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/roads-and-traffic/road-closures |
| During Convocation, all Queen's surface "Permit Required" parking lots and "Permit Required" on-street parking spaces provide free parking for guests during Convocation ceremonies. PLEASE NOTE THAT VEHICLES PARKED IN "RESERVED 24/7" PARKING SPACES WILL BE TICKETED. |
| Please note: Some of the people present suffer from sensitivities due to scented products. We kindly request that you consider refraining from wearing scented products to this event. |
In order to help you better plan your stay in Kingston, you can access local motel, hotel and B & B listings by visiting our event partner, Local Hospitality.
Although there are no physical tickets issued for Fall Convocation, graduates are required to reserve seating for their guests. This is done via the SOLUS Student Centre.
Information on specific seating limits for each ceremony is available on the Fall 2018 Convocation schedule page.
Graduands are asked to limit the number of invitees to the number posted for their ceremony on the Convocation schedule page, and enter the number in the 'Maintain Convocation Details' screen in SOLUS after they have completed their application to graduate. Graduates do not need to book guest seating for their own attendance.
The deadline to reserve guest seating and/or make changes to your attendance decision is October 25th, 2018.
** Additional Guest Seating Requests **
With the limited capacity of Grant Hall, there may not be additional guest seating for all ceremonies. If the number of guests you wish to invite exceeds the posted limit for your ceremony, we provide a special viewing room in Kingston Hall where all ceremonies are simulcast on a large screen.
For more information on guest seating, please consult the 'Information For Graduates' webpage.
Information on specific limits for each ceremony are posted on the Convocation schedule page.
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Other options for viewing the ceremonies |
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For those unable to secure seating in Grant Hall for the ceremonies, we provide two options for viewing. There is a viewing room located in Room 313, Kingston Hall (adjacent to Grant Hall) where ceremonies are simulcast live on a large screen. For those unable to travel to either the Queen's campus, or Kingston, ceremonies are broadcast live via our website at: |
We are committed to ensuring that all of our Convocation participants - graduands, guests and faculty - experience a day that is enjoyable, as well as memorable.
We recommend that you arrive as early as possible, and no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Doors open 90 minutes prior to each ceremony. Arriving early ensures that you will receive suitable seating before the Procession, which begins 15 minutes prior to the start time.
For those attending who have specific needs prior to, and during, the convocation ceremonies, we offer the following information and services:
Accommodated Seating Request Form
If a graduate or a guest attending Convocation has mobility issues, seating can be reserved by completing our online form, which can be located by selecting the link to this page:
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Hearing Equipment |
Campus Accessibility |
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Hearing devices (TELELOOPS) are available inside the front entrance of Grant Hall for each ceremony. No reservations are required. For individuals (graduands and/or guests) requiring the services of a sign language interpreter, please submit a Special Needs Form detailing your request. We would ask that requests be made as early as possible in order to facilitate arrangements. |
Queen's University continually strives to improve accessibility on campus. The University has developed an online Accessibility Guide intended to help students, faculty, staff and visitors to the campus. The link to this page can be found at: http://www.queensu.ca/camplan/access/index.html
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Planning your upcoming trip to Kingston and the Queen's Campus?
The City of Kingston routinely conducts road construction and repairs during the year.
For a current list of road projects, including closures and delays, please visit the City's website at: http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/roads-and-traffic/road-closures
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Free Parking |
Paid Parking |
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On CampusDuring Convocation, all Queen's surface "Permit Required" parking lots and "Permit Required" on-street parking spaces provide free parking during Convocation ceremonies. PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT VEHICLES PARKED IN "PERMIT REQUIRED RESERVED 24/7" PARKING SPACES WILL BE TICKETED. Payment is still required in all City of Kingston on-street metered parking spaces and 'Pay and Display' zones. Please respect special needs parking spaces and fire lanes. |
Underground ParkingA paid underground parking lot is located on Stuart Street (at the corner of University Avenue). Please respect special needs parking spaces and fire lanes. 'Pay and Display' MetersPayment is required at all City of Kingston on-street parking meters and in the municipal parking lots on the waterfront. Meters will accept coins or credit cards. Please Note: Hourly rates will vary according to location. |
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Directions from Toronto |
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Follow Hwy #401 East to Kingston |
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Directions from Montreal |
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Follow Hwy 20 West (becomes Hwy #401 West in Ontario) to Kingston. |
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Directions from Ottawa |
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Follow Hwy #416 South to Hwy #401, then Hwy #401 West to Kingston. |
| Directions from Syracuse, NY | |
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Follow Interstate 81 North to the International border, then Hwy #401 West to Kingston. |
| Directions to the Queen's Campus | Directions to the Ceremonies |
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From Highway #401 (Macdonald-Cartier Freeway), exit at Sir John A. Macdonald Blvd. (Exit 615) and drive south to Union Street. Turn left at the lights and travel six blocks to get to the main campus. |
All ceremonies will be held in Grant Hall To get to Grant Hall, turn right onto University Avenue. Grant Hall is the third building on your left (Building 41 on the Campus Map.)
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Convocation bouquets of all sizes and colours are available for convocation. To pre-order your bouquet, please go to www.ConvocationFlowers.ca/Queens. Bouquets will also be available on site during the ceremonies outside of the venue. Look for the flower booth to collect pre-ordered bouquets or to make an on-site purchase (cash, debit, or credit card accepted). |
To mark this special day in the lives of our graduands, we offer the opportunity to arrange commemorative photographs - both formal and informal - during Convocation:
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Professional |
Personal |
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Taylor Photographic Studios (613.541.1098 , Toll Free: 1.888.484.9558 ) will be set up in Kingston Hall on the day of each ceremony. This is a wonderful opportunity to get a professional photograph of the graduand on his or her own, or with family and friends. Proofs can be viewed online with the option to purchase. |
To ensure that everyone in attendance can view the ceremony, we would kindly ask that family and friends take pictures from their seats. After the ceremony, pictures can be taken on the premises, or at any number of scenic locations on the Queen's campus. Some of the most popular locations include the exterior of Grant Hall, and Summerhill. |
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Diploma Frames |
Diploma Replacements |
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Diploma and graduation photo frames are available to purchase online. Diploma frames are priced between $100 and $205 plus taxes. Frame sales will be located in Kingston Hall after each ceremony. Frames can be viewed and ordered at http://displayitwithqueenspride.ca. Please direct any inquiries to Alumni Relations at 1.800.267.7837 (locally at 613.533.2060 ) or by e-mail to alumserv@queensu.ca |
Those wishing to order a replacement diploma can do so by accessing this form. Diploma Replacement Request Form (43 KB) |