What do I need to know about my Conferring Day?
Your Conferring at UCC
Conferring
ceremonies are very special events at UCC and should be enjoyed by everyone. To
ensure that the day runs smoothly for all involved and to comply with health
and safety requirements, we ask you to take the time to read the following guidelines
laid down by the university:
1.
What happens at the ceremony?
Your
conferring ceremony will take place in Devere Hall, Áras na Mac Léinn / Students’
Centre, UCC. To ensure that graduands are seated in the correct ceremony order,
we ask that you gather in the reception area of Áras na Mac Léinn / Students’
Centre (ground floor) 30 minutes
prior to the start-time of each ceremony for the roll call of graduands. If you miss your place in the roll call, you
will be accommodated once all other graduands have been seated in the correct
conferring order.
Guests
are asked to take their seats in Devere Hall 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
Out
of courtesy to the
The
ceremony will last for approximately one hour. Once the ceremony has concluded,
a post-ceremony reception will begin in the Aula Maxima, North Wing, for the
graduates and their two guests.
2.
Are there any ecumenical services on my Conferring Day?
An
ecumenical service of celebration will be held in the Honan Chapel one hour
prior to each ceremony. The service lasts approximately 20 minutes and
allows ample opportunity for graduands to assemble in time for the roll call in
Áras na Mac Léinn / Students’ Centre. You and your guests are most
welcome to attend the ecumenical service.
3.
How many guests can I bring?
It
is necessary to restrict the number of guests to two per graduand in order to comply with Health and Safety
regulations. As it is not possible to exceed the seating capacity in Devere
Hall, requests for extra tickets will
not be considered.
Admission
is strictly by ticket only. Tickets for the ceremony (x 2) and reception (x 3)
are enclosed. Seating for guests is on a first-come, first-served basis and
seating on the balcony is reserved for ticket-holders only. Graduands do
not need to present a ticket for admission to the ceremony but should ensure
that guests carry their own admission tickets for presentation to security
staff on the door of Devere Hall.
4.
Can children attend?
Conferring
ceremonies are not suitable for babies or children under 12 years of age. As
seating is limited, children over 12 years of age may only attend on
presentation of their own ticket to security staff.
5.
Where do I park?
There is no car parking available on campus and parking around UCC is severely
restricted. Please do not attempt to access the campus by car.
Graduands
are advised to avail of UCC's guest pay car parks located at Perrott's Avenue
(off
The nearest public car park is St. Finbarre's car park on Wandsworth Quay,
approximately 10 minutes walk from the campus.
6.
Will there be an official photographer?
UCC’s
official, appointed photographer, Barry’s Photographic Services, will be in
attendance before, during and after the ceremony, around the campus and on the
2
nd
floor of Áras na Mac
Léinn / Students’ Centre, offering a range of services. For full information, please visit; www.barrysphotographic.ie
7.
What should I wear? How do I book my gown?
Smart/neat
dress is essential. It is the university’s policy that each graduand must wear
the appropriate gown and coloured hood during the formal ceremony. McGinleys
Academic Gown Hire is UCC’s official supplier of academicals and will be
stationed on campus on the day of your conferring ceremony to facilitate the
collection and return of academicals.
Please visit their website for details of their location
www.mcginleygowns.ie
McGinleys
ask that academicals are reserved at least one week prior to the conferring ceremony. Please
allow adequate time before your ceremony to collect your academicals and take
note of the collection details provided to you by McGinleys. Please note
that graduands are asked to be gowned and ready for the roll call 30 minutes
prior to the commencement of the ceremony (queues for academical collection
should be anticipated).
For full contact information, details on how to reserve your academicals and to
book online, please visit www.mcginleygowns.ie
8.
Can provisions be made for guests with special needs?
We
are happy to make special arrangements to accommodate anyone with special
needs. Please notify us in advance if you or your guests require
assistance by contacting the Office of Media & Communications, UCC, by
email to conferrings@ucc.ie
9.
What if I cannot attend my ceremony?
If
you are unable to attend your conferring ceremony, you will be conferred In Absentia and your parchment will be
posted to your college-registered home address within 10 working days of your
conferring ceremony.
10.
Can I have an English translation of my degree parchment?
Degree
parchments are presented to graduates in Latin. The National University
of Ireland provides a service for certified English translations of
qualification parchments awarded by UCC. To order your English translation,
please contact the National University of Ireland, Tel: +353 (0)1 439 2424, Email:
confer@nui.ie, Web: www.nui.ie
11.
Can I defer my conferring?
Unfortunately,
conferrings cannot be deferred.
12.
Will there be a Conferring Ball?
UCC Students’
13. UCC’s Graduates’ Association
As you are conferred, you become a member of UCC’s family of graduates and are
invited to join UCC’s Graduates’ Association, which cultivates an active and
vibrant alumni community, giving graduates an opportunity to enjoy a life-long
relationship with their alma mater. Membership provides a wide range of
benefits including social and professional networking opportunities, a quarterly
newsletter, access to facilities on campus and discounts with hundreds of
retailers around the country. Full details and an application form are
available at http://www.ucc.ie/en/alumni/gradassoc/
14.
UCC's Visitors' Centre
During your day, why not visit UCC’s
Visitors’ Centre located in the heart of the campus, along the historic Stone
Corridor, North Wing. As well as being the focal point for information on
campus, the Visitors’ Centre also stocks a wide range of UCC books and
merchandise. For further information, please visit http://visitorscentre.ucc.ie/
15.
Seanad Éireann Registration
"every person who is a citizen of Ireland and has received a degree (other
than an honorary degree) in the National University of Ireland, and has
attained the age of 18 years, shall be entitled to be registered as an elector
in the register of electors for the National University constituency"
(Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act, 1937 s.7(1)).To be eligible to vote
in the Seanad Election (NUI Constituency), a graduate's name must be on the NUI
Seanad Éireann Register of Electors. A graduate may request a Registration
Claim Form at any time from the NUI Office, or download one from
www.nui.ie/elections/seanad-register.asp#reg1 .NUI Graduates (who are otherwise
eligible) who return completed Registration Claim Forms to the NUI Office by
26th February in any given year, will be listed in the NUI Seanad Éireann
Register to be published on 1st June of that year.
Congratulations on your
achievement and enjoy your conferring day!
The Office of Media and Communications,
Email: conferrings@ucc.ie
Tel: +353 21 490 2202
