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Saturday 13 May 2023 at 4:00pm – Degrees and diplomas in Science

The following information is intended as a guide for those who have applied to be part of the above-mentioned ceremony.

You will find information about the deadlines you need to meet, guest tickets, academic dress, the graduation ceremony, and associated events.

We look forward to seeing you at the graduation ceremony and wish you a happy and successful future.

Important dates

Monday 24 April If you requested more than the two guaranteed guest tickets, an email will be sent to you advising you of the outcome of this request
Wednesday 10 May Guest tickets are available for collection
Thursday 11 May Guest tickets are available for collection
Academic dress is available for collection
Friday 12 May Guest tickets are available for collection
Academic dress is available for collection
Saturday 13 May
(the day of the ceremony)
Guest tickets are available for collection
Academic dress is available for collection
Academic dress may be returned after the ceremony
Sunday 14 May Academic dress may be returned
Monday 15 May Any outstanding academic dress must be returned

Contact the Graduation Office

Collecting guest tickets

Guest tickets are available for collection from the AskOtago Central Hub, Information Services Building (Central Library), on the following dates and times:

Wednesday 10 May 7:00am⁠–⁠9:00pm
Thursday 11 May 7:00am⁠–9:00pm
Friday 12 May 7:00am⁠–9:00pm
Saturday 13 May 8:30am⁠–⁠11:00am

You need to collect your guest tickets yourself and provide photographic identification. If it is necessary to have someone else collect your tickets on your behalf, please email AskOtago (using the link below) and provide the name of the person who will be collecting your tickets.

Please note that anyone collecting tickets must provide photographic identification.

View the campus map for the location of the Information Services Building

Email AskOtago to arrange for tickets to be collected on your behalf


Collecting academic dress (regalia)

It is It is preferable that you collect the academic dress yourself, as you will need to try it on to ensure you have the correct size. Academic dress is available for collection from the Academic Dress rooms, located in the central basement of the Clocktower Building (enter via the twin steps in the quadrangle between the Clocktower and Geology Buildings). Collection dates and times and times are as follows:

Thursday 11 Ma 5:30pm⁠–⁠7:00pm
Friday 12 May 11:00am⁠–⁠2:00pm
AND
5:30pm⁠–⁠7:00pm
Saturday 13 May 8:30am⁠–⁠12 noon

View the campus map for the location of the Clocktower Building

Returning academic dress (regalia)

Please ensure that you return your academic dress on time, as it will be required by another graduand for subsequent ceremonies.

A further charge may apply for academic dress returned late.

Academic dress must be returned in the same condition as it was issued. The full cost of replacement, which exceeds $600, will be charged for any lost or damaged academic dress.

Academic dress must be returned at one of the following times and venues:

Saturday 13 May Town Hall
(Access is via the Glenroy Auditorium entrance located on Harrop Street)
2:00pm⁠–⁠6:00pm
Saturday 13 May Basement of the Clocktower Building 2:30pm⁠–⁠4:30pm
Sunday 14 May Basement of the Clocktower Building 8:30am⁠–⁠10:30am
AND

2:00pm⁠–⁠4:00pm
Monday 15 May Basement of the Clocktower Building 9:00am⁠–⁠3:00pm

Academic dress conveners

Jane Ashman Mob +64 21 027 10950 academic.dress@otago.ac.nz
Mal Thompson Mob +64 21 044 5511 academic.dress@otago.ac.nz
Academic dress rooms Tel +64 3 479 8765
(please hold to leave a message)

The graduation brunch

The University of Otago will be hosting a brunch – open to all graduands and their families – prior to the procession. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with your family, friends, and the University.

Date: Saturday 13 May

Time: 9:00am–10:30am

Place:Te Wao Nui, Otago Business School, corner of Clyde Street and Union Street East

View the campus map for the location of the Otago Business School

Thanksgiving service

The University Chaplaincy team are pleased to invite you, your whānau and friends to a short informal service of thanksgiving on the day of graduation, just before the graduation parade. Nau mai, haere mai! Everyone is welcome.

Date: Saturday 13 May

Time: 10:40am–11:10am

Place: First Church, 415 Moray Place

Please wear academic dress. The service will finish in plenty of time for you to join the graduation procession – details below.

Visit the Chaplains online

The graduation procession

Please assemble outside First Church, at 415 Moray Place, dressed in your academic dress, on the day of the ceremony. The procession will leave First Church promptly at 11:30am accompanied by bagpipers and drummers. From First Church, the procession will travel along Moray Place to the intersection with Princes Street, then through the Octagon to the intersection of Moray Place and George Street, and along Moray Place to Harrop Street.

View a map of the procession route (PDF)

Please note that the graduation procession will always be held, regardless of the weather conditions.

Ceremony day – programme of main events

Saturday 13 May

9:00am

Graduation brunch

Te Wao Nui, Otago Business School, corner of Clyde Street and Union Street East

10:40am

Thanksgiving service

First Church, 415 Moray Place

11:30am

Graduation procession

Assemble at First Church by 11:15am

2:50pm Marshalling of graduands

Dunedin Centre, Harrop Street. Marshalling begins promptly at 3pm in the Glenroy Auditorium.

Please ensure you arrive by 2:50pm.

You must be wearing the correct academic dress and have your graduation order number sticker affixed to the left side of your gown. If you arrive late, or are improperly dressed, there is no guarantee you will be able to take part in the ceremony.

Once all graduands are in graduation order you will proceed to reserved seating in the main body of the Dunedin Town Hall.

What to bring to the marshalling area

What is a Graduation order number sticker?
3:15pm Doors to the Dunedin Town Hall (Moray Place) open for guests

Guests should be seated by 3.50pm
4:00pm Graduation ceremony begins

The Chancellor, Council and staff of the University enter the Town Hall promptly at 4:00pm. (The audience is requested to rise as the procession enters).

The ceremony will begin with welcomes by the Chancellor and the Māori orator, followed by the National Anthem sung in Māori and English.
Conferring of degrees and awarding of diplomas

The Vice-Chancellor or the relevant Pro-Vice-Chancellor or Dean will announce graduands for each degree or diploma (e.g. “for graduation in the degree of Bachelor of Arts”).

How degrees are conferred and diplomas are awarded
Remainder of the ceremony

The ceremony continues with the graduation address and concludes with the singing of Gaudeamus.

Staff will then leave the Town Hall in procession, after which you and your guests are free to depart.
5:30pm

Ceremony concludes (time is approximate)

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