Convocation FAQs

Gowns and Academic Regalia can be picked up in the Hospitality Suites on the second floor of the Keating Centre:

Friday, November 29, 12-4

Saturday, November 30, 9-4

Sunday, December 1, 9-6

Monday, December 2, 9-5

Tuesday, December 3, 9-6

Wednesday, December 4, 9-4

Thursday, December 5, 9-4

After December 5th returns will be at the store. 
Late fees will apply starting December 7th

*StFX Student ID cards are required to sign out gowns for Convocation

Accommodations in and around Antigonish fill up quickly for Convocation weekend so it is best to book early. There are also a number of hotel/motel/cottages options along with Air BNB, Bed & Breakfast and VRBO. https://www.visitantigonish.ca/stay/

If you plan to have a family dinner during graduation weekend, we highly encourage booking reservations early.

The ceremony is held in the Keating Centre Arena.

Each graduate is allotted 4 guest tickets and will receive them when they pick up their gowns. Graduates are unable to pick up tickets prior to Convocation week.

Guests should plan to arrive together one hour prior to the ceremony time and proceed to the main arena in the Charles V. Keating Centre to be seated.  We kindly ask that all guests arrive no less than 15 minutes prior to the ceremony’s scheduled start. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. In the interest of all concerned, ushers will not permit seats to be held for late arriving guests or personal belongings.

There is no specific dress code for convocation guests. However, we recommend business casual attire as that is required of graduates.

Prior to convocation, contact the special events staff at the Alumni department by emailing @email. Please note that the Keating Centre Arena is a completely accessible building.  There are also a limited number of accessible parking spots available close to the Charles V. Keating Centre.

Parking is limited at StFX on the day of convocation. Parking for graduates, family and guests is free and available at any of the open parking lots throughout campus. It is recommended that you arrive at least one hour prior to the start of the ceremonies to secure parking. Carpooling and taxis are recommended.

2024 Convocation ceremonies will be approximately three hours long.

During both spring and fall convocation you are able to watch the live broadcast of the ceremonies. You will be able to find the link at Convocation.

Degree parchments will be mailed out starting on December 4th. Parchments will be sent to the mailing address on file in Banner. To verify your address, please visit Self-Service Banner. If you need to update your address, please submit a request through Services@StFX by Friday November, 22. Within Canada, parchments will be sent via Xpresspost. Outside of Canada, parchments will be sent via courier and will require a street address and phone number.

The graduation list will be posted on Friday, November 29 in the afternoon.  The list will be posted and can be viewed by visiting Convocation.

The Alumni Office in Xavier Hall is open year round for purchases of diploma frames Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm. There will be a pop-up shop at convocation in KMC on the second floor as well that you will be able to purchase frames:

• Sunday December, 1 from 1pm -6pm 

Due to the large number of attendees at this event and for the safety and security of all, we recommend that you do not bring any bag larger than a small purse to the convocation ceremony. All bags, regardless of size, brought to StFX events are subject to inspection and will delay your entry.

Attendees without purses or bags will get express entry into the venue and will be able to access and secure seats more quickly.