Frequently Asked Questions
- Did you consult graduating students about changes to the graduation ceremonies?
- What is a virtual ceremony?
- How can I watch the virtual ceremony?
- How can I create my free, personalized commemorative video clip with StageClip?
- I am a Spring 2020 graduate; how do I access my StageClip slide?
- Where will virtual ceremonies be held?
- When is my virtual ceremony?
- Will I be able to wear graduation regalia for the virtual graduation?
- Can my family view the virtual ceremony?
- Is there a limit to how many family members can view the virtual ceremony?
- Can my family around the world view the virtual ceremony?
- Will the virtual ceremony be available to view at a later date?
- My family has booked travel – what about refunds?
- How will I receive my diploma?
- When will I receive my diploma?
- Why has my status changed in the SSC to “not attending graduation ceremony”?
- I’ve applied to graduate in November, and want to withdraw my application and reapply to graduate in Spring.
- Do I have to participate in the virtual ceremony?
- Can I attend the virtual ceremony if I’m marked as not attending for the original in-person ceremony in the SSC?
- What about graduation photography?
- Can I still get photos taken for my graduating class composite photo? What is the deadline to submit my photo?
- I heard there will be an in-person ceremony. What are the details?
Did you consult graduating students about changes to the graduation ceremonies?
In response to provincial directives regarding events and mass gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual spring graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 was held on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 for UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan. As restrictions on events and mass gatherings continue, as mandated by public health authorities due to COVID-19, the Fall graduation ceremony will be held virtually as well.
The virtual ceremony will be an opportunity for all graduates, guests, faculty, staff and the UBC community to gather together online to celebrate the achievements of graduates. The virtual ceremony will hold many elements our in-person ceremonies include, and some different and unique elements. Attend the virtual ceremony here: https://virtualgraduation.ubc.ca/
What is a virtual ceremony?
The virtual ceremony will be an opportunity for all graduates, guests, faculty, staff and the UBC community to gather together online to celebrate the achievements of graduates. Links to view the virtual ceremony will be available on the graduation website one week before November 25: https://graduation.ubc.ca/schedule/
How can I watch the virtual ceremony?
The virtual ceremony will be broadcast at https://virtualgraduation.ubc.ca/vancouver and on YouTube, Facebook and Panopto, a platform that is accessible from many countries. Links to these streams will be posted at https://virtualgraduation.ubc.ca/vancouver one week in advance of the ceremony. The broadcast is one-way – you are not required to appear on camera. We hope you engage in the ceremony by commenting during the stream, sharing on social media with #UBCgrad, and submitting your photo and/or video message to StageClip by November 16 to create a free personalized video for you to share with family and friends.
How can I create my free, personalized commemorative video clip with StageClip?
To help commemorate your graduation, you’re invited to add your photo and/or video message to a free personalized clip that has your name and degree for you to share with family and friends. Please submit a text, photo and/or video message at https://upload.stageclip.com/. See FAQ’s related to StageClip. Your message will be inserted into a video clip, which will be available to download following the ceremony on November 25th https://virtualgraduation.ubc.ca/vancouver. The deadline to submit your message is November 16, 2020 at 11:59 p.m (PST). Watch a sample clip at https://youtu.be/uodaOX33lLU.
I am a Spring 2020 graduate; how do I access my StageClip slide?
The Spring 2020 graduate slides can be accessed at https://ubc.stageclip.com until December 31, 2020.
Where will virtual ceremonies be held?
The virtual ceremony/ceremonies will not be held at the UBC Vancouver campus. Attend the virtual ceremony here: https://virtualgraduation.ubc.ca/
When is my virtual ceremony?
There will be one virtual ceremony for all graduates of the UBC Vancouver campus. The ceremony will be on Wednesday, November 25.
Will I be able to wear graduation regalia for the virtual graduation?
All graduating students will have the option to rent regalia (Mortar board hat, hood and black gown) or purchase souvenir academic regalia, which includes a mortar board hat and black gown, to wear for the virtual graduation ceremony. For more information on these options, please visit https://graduation.ubc.ca/students/. If you have further questions about the regalia purchase and rental options, please contact alphaomega@gaspard.ca.
Can my family view the virtual ceremony?
All graduates and their family and friends can view the virtual ceremony. Attend the virtual ceremony here: https://virtualgraduation.ubc.ca/
Is there a limit to how many family members can view the virtual ceremony?
There is no limit to the number of family members who can view the virtual ceremony. The more the merrier.
Can my family around the world view the virtual ceremony?
The virtual ceremony will be made available for you and your family to view, just as our previous live ceremony webcasts were available on the UBC graduation website, YouTube, Facebook and Panopto, a platform that is accessible from many countries. Links to these streams will be posted at https://virtualgraduation.ubc.ca/vancouver one week in advance of the ceremony.
Will the virtual ceremony be available to view at a later date?
All past ceremonies are available to view on the archived webcast page of the UBC Graduation website. We will post the virtual ceremony on the same page for you to view at a later date.
My family has booked travel – what about refunds?
Unfortunately, we do not issue refunds for travel.
How will I receive my diploma?
Diplomas will be couriered to graduating students at no cost if your address is provided before January 31, 2021. Log-in to SSC, under the Graduation tab click ‘Courier my Original Diploma’. You will be able to provide the address where you would like your diploma couriered to. In order to receive your diploma by courier, you must provide us with a destination address (even if your address is already in our system). If you do not provide a destination address, your parchment will be held at UBC. We are aiming to begin the couriering process starting early December. Thank you if you have already submitted your courier request.
When will I receive my diploma?
We are aiming to send out parchments starting late-December (at no cost to you). Please allow extra time for processing and delivery. If you require proof of graduation sooner, you can print off a confirmation of graduation letter or order an official transcript. Both of these documents can be printed or ordered through your SSC account.
Why has my status changed in the SSC to “not attending graduation ceremony”?
All graduating students have had their applications updated to “not attending”, with diplomas for courier. This is to facilitate distribution of the diplomas as soon as possible after approval of graduation.
All students will be included in the virtual ceremony and when we are able to begin the planning for the in-person ceremonies, graduates will be contacted with information.
I’ve applied to graduate in November, and want to withdraw my application and reapply to graduate in Spring.
Unfortunately, students cannot withdraw their November graduation application. If you want to withdraw for academic reasons, please consult with your faculty advising office. If you have further questions about your application, please email Enrolment Services at graduation@ubc.ca.
Do I have to participate in the virtual ceremony?
No, participation in the virtual ceremony will be optional.
Can I attend the virtual ceremony if I’m marked as not attending for the original in-person ceremony in the SSC?
The virtual ceremony is open to all to attend and view.
What about graduation photography?
As the graduation ceremony will be virtual, graduation photography will not be provided. Graduates are welcome to make their own arrangements for photography with their preferred vendor.
Can I still get photos taken for my graduating class composite photo? What is the deadline to submit my photo?
The portrait studios are following directives of the health authorities and will be in touch with those who have booked appointment times. Each department or student society makes separate arrangements for grad class composite photos. Please contact your department or student society directly for more information on deadlines.
I heard there will be an in-person ceremony. What are the details?
We are working on planning for the in-person ceremony when it’s safe to bring people together again. Further details will be available at www.graduation.ubc.ca and www.graduation.ok.ubc.ca.