Spring Convocations: Checklist for Graduands

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable convocation ceremony for you and your guests, please make certain that you have completed the following tasks by the appropriate deadlines, before your ceremony takes place. If you intend to graduate but will not be attending your ceremony, there are still tasks that must be completed to finalize your graduation.

1. Confirm your eligibility to graduate.  
   Have you / will you have successfully completed all of the necessary coursework with the required averages (if applicable)?  If you’re not sure, confirm this information using ‘Degree Audit’ in MUGSI or contact your Faculty Academic Advisor. In the case of graduate (master's and Ph.D.) students, visit http://graduate.mcmaster.ca/current-students/completing-your-degree for more information.
2. Confirm that you have paid all of the fees outstanding on your student account.
   You may find this information in MUGSI (My Student Accounts & Cashiers > Account Statement). If you have any questions regarding your student account, visit the Student Accounts & Cashiers website or contact their office. Upon graduation, your diploma will not be released to you until all outstanding fees have been cleared.
3. Verify the date and time of your ceremony.
   A list of convocation dates can be found on the Future Ceremony Dates page. For a breakdown of the degrees that are conferred during each ceremony, visit the General Information for Graduands page.
4. Notify the Office of the Registrar if the name on your diploma should appear differently than the name that appears in McMaster’s student records system, by April 5, 2013 (Health Sciences, excluding Nursing) or May 10, 2013 (all other Faculties).
   The name and spelling of the name printed on your diploma will correspond to the name that McMaster has on file in its student records system (i.e. the name you  initially registered with the University upon arrival at McMaster). Should you require a name change or correction of the spelling of one of your names recorded in the University's records (i.e. marriage, legal name change, additional given names) you will need to visit the Office of the Registrar in person to complete a name change request (PDF) form and present one of the following original documents: name change certificate, birth certificate, current passport, marriage certificate, or current driver's license  in order to support your request. These requests must be made in person and the Office of the Registrar cannot make these changes via email, phone, or fax. To verify the spelling of the name that the Office currently has on file for you, visit MUGSI (within the “My Academics / Program & Course Summary” section).  Requests must be completed, and supporting documentation received, no later than April 5, 2013 (Health Sciences, excluding Nursing) or May 10, 2013 (All other Faculties) for the Spring ceremonies, in order to allow for enough time for diplomas to be printed. Graduate students should visit the School of Graduate Studies regarding the spelling that appears on a diploma.
5. Complete your profile in the Convocation Information Centre, by May 3, 2013 (Health Sciences excluding Nursing) or May 17, 2013 (All other Faculties, including Nursing)
   This form notifies the Office of the Registrar of key information about your expected graduation, including the degree and program you expect to graduate from, or any minors you intend to declare. This form must be completed if you intend to graduate from McMaster, whether you are planning to actually attend your ceremony or not.
   Also, similar to an RSVP, this form notifies the Office of the Registrar of whether you intend to actually attend your ceremony. Please note that there may be fees associated for graduation depending on whether or not you decided to attend your ceremony or not. The Graduation information Centre is available at https://future.mcmaster.ca/grad-response/
6. Notify the Office of the Registrar of any accessibility arrangements for graduands or guests with disabilities.
   Graduands with disabilities or graduands who have guests with disabilities who will be attending their convocation ceremony are asked to complete the online Convocation accessibility form. The Office of the Registrar will then contact you with further information.  Please complete this form at least two weeks before the date of your ceremony. The Convocation accessibility form can be found at http://registrar.mcmaster.ca/csd . For additional information about accessibility at convocation, please contact the Convocation accessibility phone line at (905) 525-9140 ext. 21676, or by e-mail at convo.accessibility@mcmaster.ca  
7. Tell your guests any relevant information that appears on this website.
   Share the time, date, location, and any other information that you think is important for your friends and family to know. They may wish to visit the Information for Parents and Guests web page.

 You may wish to print this checklist to reference it later.