The Alma Mater Society (AMS) rents academic hoods and gowns online to graduating students. Online rental costs are:

• $35.00 for Undergraduate and Master's regalia,
• $40.00 for Ph.D.regalia with or without graduation cap
• $55.00 for Ph.D.regalia with beefeater hat.

Rentals for Fall 2019 Convocation are able to be made online via the AMS Hood and Gown website at https://www.buildagrad.ca/queensu in advance of those ceremonies. 

If you miss the posted deadline for renting hoods and gowns online, they can still be rented at convocation at the rate of $55.00 for Undergraduate and Master's, and $60.00 for PhD's.

On the day of your convocation, please arrive at Kingston Hall 90 minutes before the ceremony to pick up your prepaid hood and gown. Please bring your Student Card, or government issued Photo ID (Driver's Licence, Health Card, Citizenship Card, etc.), and the rental confirmation number.

If you did not rent online, please bring your Student ID, or Photo ID, and a cash payment

Hoods and Gowns can now be rented online from the AMS. Please go to: https://www.buildagrad.ca/queensu

Online ordering begins on July 15th, 2019 at 10:00 am (EST) and closes October 30th, 2019 5:30 pm (EST).

If you miss the online ordering deadline, you may still rent your hood and gown the day of your ceremony. Please note, however, that prices will be higher with same day rentals.  

The schedule for Hood and Gown Rental Pickups for Fall 2019 will also be posted here when it becomes available.

Items must be returned immediately after the ceremony. Kingston Hall will be open for returns for 1.5 hours following each ceremony. Attendees will be charged the following rates for unreturned or damaged regalia:

• Bachelor's/Master's Robe $72.00
• Full Fit Robe $110.00
• Bachelor's Hood $43.50
• Master's Hood $48.75
• PhD Robe $300.00
• PhD Hood $103.50

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 ticket limits for each ceremony is available on the Fall 2019 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 tickets for their own attendance.

Your deadline to reserve guest seating and/or make changes to your attendance decision is October 24th.

 ** 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.

Reserving your Guest Seating via SOLUS

1. Click on the “My Academics” link located in the Academics section of your introductory SOLUS profile page

2. In the Graduation section (3^rd box), select the link labelled “Maintain Convocation Details”

3. You should find a page which will outline aspects of your application, including when the scheduled ceremony will take place, and whether your application has been received.

4. Dropdown menus will allow you to change your attendance status for the ceremony ('Will Attend' or 'Not Attending'). 

5. In this screen, you are required to reserve seating for your guests. Information on specific guest limits for each ceremony will be posted on the Convocation schedule page.  

Your deadline to order guest tickets and/or make changes to your attendance decision is October 24th.

 ** 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.

Other options for viewing the ceremonies

For those unable to secure seating in Grant Hall for the ceremonies, we provide two options for viewing.

There is a viewing room located at 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 here.     

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 Grant Hall. 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 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

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:

Special Needs Form

On Campus

During 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 Parking

A 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' Meters

Payment 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.

Follow Interstate 81 North to the International border, then Hwy #401 West to Kingston.

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.

Ceremonies will be held in Grant Hall and 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.)
• To get to the Athletics and Recreation Centre, turn left onto University Avenue, then right onto Earl Street. The Athletics and Recreation Centre is located on your right (QCENTR / 284 Earl Street on the Campus Map.)

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 their seats.

In addition, pictures can be taken 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.

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 Form (43 KB)

The practice of allowing Special Hooding during Convocation ceremonies is governed by the following policy.

  The practice of special hooding arrangements is highly desirable.  It adds warmth and a personal touch to the ceremony and does not delay the proceedings.  It is recommended that there be no substantial change to the existing policy; however, to ensure that the situation is equitable and consistent among Faculties and Schools, the following is recommended: 

1.  The privilege of special hooding is normally extended to Queen's faculty, members of the Board of Trustees, and  senior administrative staff to hood close family members (e.g., children, spouses, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, etc.)  This privilege may also be extended to academic faculty members from other universities.  Graduate supervisors may only in exceptional circumstances hood their students. 

2.  A request for special hooding, which includes assurance from the student involved that he/she is agreeable, should be submitted in writing to the Office of the University Registrar, Student Records and Services at least two weeks before the scheduled convocation. 

3.  The Associate University Registrar (Student Records and Services) and University Registrar, in consultation with the Dean of the Faculty/School where necessary or appropriate, have the responsibility to consider and approve recommendations with due consideration to: 

a) enhancing the convocation experience for the student concerned, 

b) ensuring reasonable consistency of practice across Faculties/Schools; and, 

c) preventing undue interference with the convocation ceremony.