Convocation Information for Family & Guests

Maps

Please visit our maps page for exact geo locations of the following buildings:

• Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre - location of all convocation ceremonies. A floor plan of the GGAC is also available
• Gryphon Fieldhouse - location of the Convocation Tea event (your first alumni event), and the #GuelphGrad Red Carpet Experience

Driving Directions

For driving directions to the University of Guelph campus, please visit Parking Services.

Please Note

If you use Google Maps to plan your route, the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre (GGAC) is not labelled on the interactive map. The GGAC is an extension of the WF Mitchell Athletics Centre.

Maps

Please visit our maps page for exact geo locations of the following parking lots:

• Lot P12 - Accessible Parking 
• Lots P14 and P15 - Convocation Parking
• Lot P13 - Overflow Parking

Free Parking

Free parking is available in lots 12, 13, 14, and 15. There will be signage on campus providing easy to follow directions.

Complimentary Shuttle

A complimentary shuttle service will be circulating throughout the day, transporting guests to and from P13, P14 and P15, the loop between Reynolds Walk and the Guelph Gryphons Athletic Centre, and the Gryphon Fieldhouse. Please refer to the Buildings, Parking and Shuttle Route map.

Accessibility

If you require accessible parking, please register your vehicle through Campus Parking Services’ OffStreet Portal. For parking questions, you can contact Parking Services directly via email questions@parking.uoguelph.ca or phone 519-824-4120 Ext. 52118.

Guests with accessibility needs can be dropped off at the Larry Pearson Entrance.

PLEASE NOTE: Lot P12 is not controlled and medical use parking spots cannot be guaranteed. However, if guests requiring an accessible parking spot have made arrangements ahead of time with Parking Services, they may park in any available spot in this lot, excluding the Health and Performance Centre spots. Please be advised that marked medical spots are available to those with a valid medical permit only.

Guest tickets are required for all ceremonies.

Only graduating students may purchase tickets. Upon registering for a ceremony, each student will receive two (2) complimentary tickets and may purchase one (1) additional ticket for $25 (space permitting).

Approximately two weeks before the ceremony, students will receive an email to indicate whether any additional guest tickets (beyond the single purchased ticket) are available to purchase.

All electronic tickets will be sent to graduates the week prior to their ceremony. Tickets may be printed or scanned directly from a smartphone.

Each ticket has a unique QR and alphanumeric code and may be scanned only once for entry to the ceremony.

If guests are travelling from out of town to be part of this special day, please take advantage of the information provided by City of Guelph Tourism. Whether you are looking for a hotel or a special place to get that celebratory dinner, it has the answers for you.

Guest tickets are required for all ceremonies.

The doors of the Event Centre will only open 1 hour before the ceremony begins.

Guests enter through the Larry Pearson entrance of the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre and should be seated in the Event Centre 15 minutes before the ceremony begins.

View virtual tour of the Guelph Gryphons Athletic Centre.

We actively address the needs of our graduands and their guests who require accommodations including but not limited to physical disabilities, sensory disabilities, gender inclusivity and mental health issues. When required, we will work in consultation with Student Accessibility Services and Office of Diversity and Human Rights to accommodate your needs.

Wheelchair

The Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre (GGAC) is wheelchair accessible and there is an accessible drop off point outside the Larry Pearson Entrance.

Following each ceremony, a Convocation Tea will be held in the Gryphon Fieldhouse. Please be advised the route to the Fieldhouse involves several flights of stairs, however an alternative accessible route is available. Event staff will be available to assist any guests with mobility challenges.

Hearing Challenges

All ceremonies are closed captioned. 

If a graduand or guest require a sign language interpreter, please contact the convocation team.

Visual Challenges

The GGAC is equipped with the electronic wayfinding system called BlindSquare to help people with vision challenges find their way around the facility. 

Do You Require Accommodations?

We appreciate being advised, prior to the ceremony, of any accessibility requirements so that accommodations can be arranged. If graduands and/or guests require accommodations, please contact the convocation team.

Immediately following each ceremony the college deans will host a tea in the Gryphon Fieldhouse for our newest alumni members, family, friends, faculty and staff.

Grads and their families will have a chance to walk along the #GuelphGrad Red Carpet and snap photos at a variety of U of G backdrops. Our U of G Ambassadors will be available to escort you along the carpet and take photos with your handheld device - they know all the best angles!

Fresh flowers will be available for purchase in the lobby of the Larry Pearson entrance prior to each ceremony and are available for pre-order now through our partner Convocation Flowers.

To further contribute to a safe and efficient environment for your graduates, guests, and faculty, we are strongly encouraging customers to take advantage of our online pre-order service. We will have a contact-free customer experience for guests who are simply picking up their pre-purchased and reserved product. 

Following each ceremony, in the Gryphons Fieldhouse, you will find degree frames, U of G memorabilia and order forms for grad rings, hoods and more. Guests are welcome to preview grad gift options ahead of time on the University Bookstore website.

Effective February 2020, students graduating from the winter semester may attend a summer convocation ceremony. More Information

New in 2019, Our campus is a tobacco-free and smoke-free environment. Smoking, vaping and the use of smokeless tobacco is not permitted on campus. A map of campus boundaries is available at www.uoguelph.ca/smokefree.