Frequently Asked Questions - Vancouver Community College

When is the next Convocation?

Convocation will be held in-person on Thursday, November 28, 2024 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

How can I RSVP?

‌If you are eligible to graduate you will receive an invitation by email in October for the Fall ceremony, or in June for the Summer ceremony. You will need to complete the online Convocation RSVP form by the deadline in the invitation in order to attend your ceremony.

If you are graduating and have not received your email invitation, please contact convocation@vcc.ca.

Will there be a live stream of the ceremonies for family and friends?

Yes. The in-person ceremony will be live streamed on VCC’s social media platforms on Convocation day.

I have a question related to my registration, grades, or program. Who do I contact?

For questions not related to Convocation, you can contact Student Records offices at 604.871.7000 or email records@vcc.ca.

If you are a PIDP student, please email the School of Instructor Education office (sie@vcc.ca)

If you are a Continuing Studies student, please email the Continuing Studies Office (continuingstudies@vcc.ca)

I am an international student who needs an invitation letter to apply for my parent's visa so they can attend my convocation ceremony.
Where can I get this?

Please note that VCC does not prepare invitation letters for visa application purposes. Instead, international students will need to write their own invitation letter and request for a Confirmation of Enrolment letter. Please review the Inviting your family to visit Canada handout for more detailed instructions.

Does the ceremony cost anything to attend?

No. The Convocation ceremony is free for students and guests.

I RSVP'd "YES" but am unable to attend anymore. What do I do?

Email convocation@vcc.ca and indicate that you are unable to attend.

When will I receive my official degree, diploma, or certificate?

Credentials are mailed directly to your home address approximately 6-8 weeks from the day your instructors submit your final grades in the system.

Please login to myVCC to ensure your mailing address and contact information are current.

I missed the RSVP deadline. Am I still allowed to attend the ceremony?

If you missed the deadline, it is too late to attend the ceremony, unfortunately. Please contact convocation@vcc.ca as late registration may be considered. Email convocation@vcc.ca with your full name and student ID.

Are there photography sessions for graduating students?

Artona photography offers photography for the graduating class.

Artona photo sessions are available by appointment in the atrium of VCC’s Downtown campus on Convocation day. Walk-in appointments on a first-come first-served basis will be available.

Artona also offers appointments at their location at 353 W. 7^th Avenue. Appointments are required if booking at the Artona studio, please book a studio session here.

See photo samples.

I didn’t receive my photos after the ceremony. Who can I contact?

If you are still waiting for your photo proofs to be emailed to you, please contact Artona directly:

Phone: 604 872 7272

Email: csr@artona.com

Am I allowed more than three guest tickets?

The limit of guest tickets is due to limited seating in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and fire marshal regulations.

Your guest tickets will be emailed to you approximately one week before the ceremony.

Is there a waiting list for extra guest tickets?

There is no waitlist for extra tickets. If you have extra guests, a livestream will be available and the link will be live on the VCC Convocation website the day of the ceremony.

Guests without tickets may wait in the standby line up outside of the theatre before the ceremony. Please note, there is no guarantee that guests will be admitted in the standby line up, and there is a chance your guest may miss the ceremony.

Do I need to order a gown in advance?

No, you do not need to order a gown in advance. VCC will provide you with a gown on the day of the event, free of charge.

Gowns will be available for pick up from room 240 at the Downtown campus. The gown room will open at 7:30 a.m. for the morning ceremony. For the afternoon ceremony, the gowning room will open at 11:30 a.m. Please note that all students must wear the gown as provided, in order to cross the stage.

Indigenous students are welcome to wear ceremonial regalia in place of, or with, VCC regalia.

The gown room will be closed once the ceremony begins,. All students must return their gown to the gown drop-off station located in the Atrium of the VCC Downtown campus following the ceremony.

Will there be a coat check during the ceremony?

Yes, there will be a coat check. Free coat check will be available to graduates in Rm. 237 at the Downtown campus for coats and umbrellas only. Please leave purses, backpacks, laptops, and other valuables at home or store with your guest(s).

A paid coat check is available for guests at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

What time should I arrive for the ceremony?

We ask that all graduates arrive at least two and a half hours prior to their ceremony time to check-in and receive their gowns. The morning ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

The afternoon ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m. Please check your invitation to confirm which ceremony you need to attend.

I have a question regarding Convocation that is not listed above. Who do I contact?

All other Convocation inquiries may be directed to convocation@vcc.ca.

Please note, due to the high volume of emails we receive, it may take three to five business days for us to respond.