During the convocation ceremony at Rogers Centre Ottawa

The University of Ottawa Alumni Association and PhotoGrad are pleased to provide a professional portrait service at Convocation so that new alumni can memorialize this important milestone.

Professional photographers will take your photo when you’re backstage.They will also be on hand to take photos with your family and friends at a photo booth in the lobby before and after each ceremony.

After Convocation, you’ll be able to purchase your photos through the PhotoGrad website. Photos will remain confidential and only be accessible by entering your student number. Your personal photos will never be shared or used for promotional purposes. For more information, email PhotoGrad.

During the ceremony, members of the audience can take pictures at any time from their seats. They can also approach the rope at the front when the graduates are called up.

Please note that personal photographers are not permitted during the convocation ceremony.

Graduation photos in a studio

Prior to the Convocation ceremony, your student federation may contact you with details about graduation photo packages. If you do not hear from your student federation and would like to make an appointment to have graduation photos taken, or for more information, you can contact Portraits Now in the University Centre (613-232-1165) or another photographer who provides a similar service.

Photo and video disclaimer

The University of Ottawa’s convocation ceremonies are live streamed for family and friends who are unable to attend in person and are also archived and available online for future viewing. Photographs, videos and audio recordings of each ceremony may be produced during or after the event and may include your recognizable image. By participating in this event, you therefore consent to being photographed, videotaped and audio-taped and you authorize the University to use any of these recordings for its activities and events, as well as for its print and electronic promotional material, including on the internet via the University website or other social media websites. Personal information obtained at the event is collected in accordance with the University of Ottawa Act, S.O. 1965, C.137.

Tickets

• All guests require a ticket; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• All tickets will be scanned upon entry. No tickets will be issued on the day of the ceremony; they must be reserved in advance using the instructions provided in our emails to you. 

Live streaming

Each Convocation ceremony will be streamed on YouTube. To view, go to the University of Ottawa YouTube channel shortly before the ceremony is slated to begin.

Parking

Avoid traffic and parking. Take Light Rail Transit (LRT) – Rideau Station

The nearest parking is in a two-storey underground garage off-campus connected to the Rideau Centre, with entrances on Daly Avenue and Nicholas Street. Regular rates apply. 

Alternatively, parking in the University’s Brooks, Desmarais and Mann garages (June 8 to 12 inclusive) is free during Convocation. There is paid outdoor parking at 100 Marie Curie, as well as time-limited street parking in the neighbourhood. If you park at the University, allow 10 to 15 minutes to walk to Rogers Centre Ottawa.

Coat check

There is a coat check on the first floor at Rogers Centre Ottawa.

Accommodation

The University of Ottawa residences offer comfortable accommodation for graduates and their guests during the spring convocation period.  For more information, please visit the residences website and book your room using the Promo Code SAFF26, to get a preferred rate. 

Flowers

Flower bouquets will be sold at Rogers Centre Ottawa on the day of Convocation.

Special assistance for students and guests

Rogers Centre Ottawa is wheelchair accessible. A wheelchair ramp is installed to ensure accessibility for all students going up on the stage. There will be someone backstage to assist students with their special needs. If you require special assistance or wish to make special arrangements for the Convocation ceremony, please email [email protected], at least two weeks prior to the ceremony date. If you need a sign language interpreter, please notify us three weeks in advance.

Honorary doctorates are special academic distinctions awarded to individuals whose personal and professional achievements over the years have made an invaluable contribution to the University, to their discipline or to society at large.