Faculty

The processions symbolize the institution’s respect for its academic traditions and the achievement of its students. The stage party, representing key figures such as faculty members and administration, showcases the importance of the occasion.  

All faculty are encouraged to participate, whether by joining the academic or chancellor's procession, emphasizing the community spirit and collective celebration of the students’ hard work.

Following each ceremony, faculty are also invited to attend convocation celebrations to celebrate with students and their guests.

Chancellor's procession

By invitation only, the chancellor's procession is comprised of active ceremony participants as well as senior administration. The chancellor's party is the last procession to enter the venue, following both the academic procession and the student procession.

Invitations to the chancellor’s procession will be sent on May 6, 2025 to selected participants.

Academic procession

Faculty members and invited senior staff members are invited to participate in convocation by taking part in the academic procession.  The academic procession enters the ceremony after the student procession but prior to the chancellor’s procession. 

Registration for the academic procession opens on May 6, 2025.

Graduate hooding

University of Waterloo faculty and staff as well as faculty of other post-secondary institutions are invited to hood a student, family member, friend or colleague who is graduating with a PhD or a master's degree.  

Graduate hooders participate in the chancellor's procession and sit on stage throughout the ceremony. 

Registration for graduate hooding opens on May 6, 2025.   

Chancellor's procession FAQ

Chancellor's Procession - Am I Eligible?

An invitation is required to participate in the chancellor's procession.

The chancellor's party is comprised of active ceremony participants as well as senior administration. The following people are eligible to participate in the chancellor’s procession:

  • Ceremony participants including the macebearer, general hooders, diploma presenters, citation readers

  • President and Vice-Presidents 

  • Dean’s Council  

  • Board of Governors 

  • Senate 

  • Executive Council

  • Faculty leadership, including Associate Deans, Directors and Chairs 

  • Honorary Doctorates and Distinguished Professor Emeriti 

Chancellor's Procession - Key Dates & Times

May 6, 2025 - Registration opens for invitees.

June 2, 2025 - Registration closes.

Chancellor's Procession - Gowns and Regalia

Arrangements for academic gowns for members of the chancellor's procession are made when you complete the registration form for the chancellor's procession and luncheon. Borrowed gowns and regalia should be returned to the chancellor’s robing room immediately following the end of the ceremony.

Chancellor's Procession - How do I register?

Chancellor's Procession - What is a ceremonial participant?

A ceremonial participant is some who plays an active role in each ceremony. These roles are as follows:

  • Macebearer 

  • Diploma presenters (2 per ceremony) 

  • General hooders (3 per ceremony) 

  • Citation readers

Academic procession FAQ

Academic Procession - Am I eligible?

The academic procession is comprised of faculty members who do not have an active ceremonial role. Members of the academic procession will sit on stage during the ceremony, space permitting.

To participate in the academic procession, please RSVP.

Academic Procession - Gowns and Regalia

Due to limited inventory, the convocation team is unable to provide gowns for members of the academic procession. Academic procession participants may arrange to rent black gowns through W Store if they do not own their own regalia. Advance gown rental is open until May 30.

Graduate hooding FAQ

Graduate Hooding - How do I register to hood a student?

Supervisors of master's and PhD grads are invited to participate in convocation by personally hooding their student(s) that they have supervised. To request to be a graduate hooder, please RSVP. 

Graduate and special hooders participate in the chancellor's procession and sit on stage throughout the ceremony. 

Graduate Hooding - Can I hood a bachelor degree student?

No. Undergraduates are not hooded on stage. They will cross the stage wearing their hood. 

Graduate Hooding - What is the difference between a General Hooder and a Graduate Hooder?

A general hooder is selected by the dean to hood all PhD or Master's students on stage if their supervisor is not present to hood them.  A graduate hooder only hoods their specific student(s) that they supervised.

Graduate Hooding - How do I hood?

PhD students are hooded first and cross one at a time. Master’s students follow PhD students and cross three at a time. 

As your student approaches, you stand and move behind the throne chairs. The general hooders will step aside.

You will approach your student from behind, removing their hood from their right arm. As they are greeted by the chancellor, president or dean, you will place their hood over their head. After hooding is complete, your student will make their way off the stage to collect their diploma and you can return to your seat on stage.

An onsite demonstration and review will take place in the Chancellor’s robing room prior to the ceremony. 

Questions?

If you have further questions, contact faculty.convocation@uwaterloo.ca.