Spring Convocation - Students - University of Saskatchewan

The word “Convocation” arises
from the Latin “cum” meaning
“together,” and “vocare”
meaning “to call.” Our Convocation
ceremony is a calling together of
the new graduates of the University
of Saskatchewan, symbolizing the
historical practice of calling together
all former graduates. In current times,
the major functions of Convocation
are the election of representatives
to University governing bodies and
the admission of candidates to
degrees. The Chancellor, elected by
Convocation as its Chair, is the highest
official and spokesperson of the
University.
The Convocation ceremony marks
the transition from the role of student
to the holder of a degree with its
accompanying rights and privileges.
The ceremony, solemnized in the
presence of the University community
and family and friends of the
graduands, consists of three parts:
a procession marking the leaving
of the old status and entering the
new; the President’s statement to the
graduands, the Secretary’s petition
and the Chancellor’s consent for their
admission; followed by individual
presentation by their Dean and
admission by the Chancellor to the
degrees to which they are entitled. As
graduates are admitted to their degrees,
a graduation hood, which has a colour
symbolizing a particular degree, is
placed over each graduate’s head.