Convocation FAQs

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

Notes

• StFX Student ID cards are required to sign out gowns for Convocation.
• Students of Indigenous descent are encouraged to borrow an Indigenous stole when they collect their gown and hood from Regalia Services at the hours listed above. *These stoles must be returned after Convocation.
• Students of African descent are encouraged to borrow a Kente cloth stole when they collect their gown and hood from Regalia Services at the hours listed above. *These stoles must be returned after Convocation.
• Members of 2SLGBTQIA+ community who wish to have a pride cord to wear to Convocation (or as a keepsake) can coordinate a time to pick one up by emailing Aimee MacDonald at @email. 

Accommodations in and around Antigonish fill up quickly for Convocation weekend so it is best to book early. 

There are 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 2026 Spring Convocation Ceremony will take place in the Main Arena of the Keating Centre.

Each graduate has access to 3 tickets for their convocation ceremony for friends and family Graduates do not require a ticket. Convocation tickets can be accessed on Ticketpro. The access code or promo code is your Student ID.

Guests should plan to arrive together one hour prior to the ceremony time and proceed to the Coach K Court 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.

Prior to convocation, contact the special events staff department by emailing @email. Please note, that the Amelia Saputo Centre is a completely accessible building. There is also a limited number of accessible parking spots available close to the Amelia Saputo 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.

Convocation ceremonies will be approximately three hours long.

Convocations are livestreamed for family and friends to watch from afar. Find the link by visiting StFX.ca/convocation. 

Degree parchments will be mailed to you after Convocation. 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. 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.

Please note: if Canada Post is still not up and running to full capacity, we will ship via courier where possible, which will require a street address and a phone number. Please ensure your Banner is fully updated.

The Graduation list is typically posted later in the day the Friday prior to Convocation. 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. 

Due to the large number of attendees at this event and for the safety and security of all, we ask 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.