|
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. |
|
Spring 2020 Convocation – Planning for Alternative SchedulingOn March 16, 2020 Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane released an update regarding the continuing operation of Queen’s University in light of the rapid spread of COVID-19 around the world wherein he advised that the traditional Spring 2020 convocation ceremonies will not take place. Our graduates have worked hard to attain academic success, and we are committed to ensuring they have the opportunity to celebrate this achievement, just as previous classes of Queen's graduates have - with friends and family at Convocation. The Office of the University Registrar is looking at Fall 2020 as a possible time frame for these ceremonies to occur keeping in mind this is a constantly evolving situation and the future is impossible to predict. The next ceremonies are planned for November 2020 (Fall) and May and June 2021 (Spring). We will be reaching out directly to affected graduates via email in September with regard to what alternative scheduling is being planned. Updates will also be posted on our website. In the meantime, we appreciate your understanding and look forward to providing you with an update in the near future.
|
Queen’s Summer accommodations operates from May 2nd through until August 29th and offers a convenient option for visitors coming to Queen’s for convocations.
For those interested in staying on campus, the Donald Gordon Conference Centre offers quality accommodations for visitors.
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.
Graduates must reserve seating for their guests for ceremonies during Spring 2020 Convocation. This is done via the SOLUS Student Centre.
* Please note that graduates are required to complete this task whether or not physical tickets are being issued for their ceremony*
Information on specific seating limits for each ceremony is available on the Spring 2020 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 a graduate's attendance decision is April 30th.
** Additional Guest Seating Requests **
With the limited capacity of Grant Hall and the Queen's Centre, there may not be additional guest seating for all ceremonies. If the number of guests a graduate wishes to invite exceeds the posted limit for the ceremony, we provide a special viewing room 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.
|
Other options for viewing the ceremonies |
|
|
For those unable to secure seating for the ceremonies, we provide two options for viewing. GRANT HALL CEREMONIES: There is a viewing room located at Room 313, Kingston Hall (adjacent to Grant Hall) where ceremonies are simulcast live on a large screen. MAIN GYMNASIUM, ATHLETICS AND RECREATION CENTRE: There is a viewing room located in the lobby area of the Kinesiology Building (28 Division Street) 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. Please consult the Ceremony Schedule page for when doors open for 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: |
|
|
Hearing Equipment |
Campus Accessibility |
|---|---|
|
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
|
| Special Needs Seating Form | |
|
If a graduate or a guest attending Convocation has a disability, seating can be reserved by completing our online form, which can be located by selecting the link to this page: |
|
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
|
Please note that while there is parking available on campus, individual parking places may not be located in proximity to the ceremony venue (Grant Hall or the Athletics and Recreation Centre). We recommend that attendees allow for sufficient time to make their way to the venue from where they park. |
|
|---|---|
|
Free Parking |
Paid Parking |
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. |
|
Directions from Toronto |
|
 |
Follow Hwy #401 East to Kingston |
|
Directions from Montreal |
|
 |
Follow Hwy 20 West (becomes Hwy #401 West in Ontario) to Kingston. |
|
Directions from Ottawa |
|
| |
Follow Hwy #416 South to Hwy #401, then Hwy #401 West to Kingston. |
| Directions from Syracuse, NY | |
 |
Follow Interstate 81 North to the International border, then Hwy #401 West to Kingston. |
| Directions to the Queen's Campus | Directions to the Ceremonies |
|
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 (except those on June 9 and 10, which will be held in the Athletics and Recreation Centre. 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.) The Athletics and Recreation Centre is located at 284 Earl Street (2 blocks north of Union Street, between University Avenue and Division Street). A link to the location on the Campus Map can be found here.
|
|
|
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). |
| Personal | Professional |
|
Friends and family are welcome to photograph graduates during the Convocation ceremony. To ensure that everyone in attendance can view the ceremony, we would kindly ask that family and friends take pictures from the side aisles. You will be asked to exit from the venue (Grant Hall or ARC) at the end of the ceremony to allow preparation for the next ceremony which follows immediately. Pictures can be taken at any number of scenic locations on the Queen's campus after the ceremony. Some of the most popular locations include the exterior of Grant Hall and Summerhill.
|
** Please note that photography services are organized and coordinated directly through the vendor. Kingston Hall Scheduling will be available in Spring 2020.** |
.jpg)
|
Diploma Frames |
Diploma Replacements |
|---|---|
|
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) |
