**Policy Authority: University Registrar
Graduation Information
Cape Breton University Host two convocation periods in one Academic Year.
- November
- May
Academic Year 2023-2024
Fall 2023: November 1, 2023 (one convocation ceremony, located at C200)
Spring 2024: May 15, 15, 17, 2024 (five convocation ceremonies, located at C200)
Overview
The Convocation and Ceremonies Office in the Office of the Registrar is responsible for the production of university parchments, which are an official legal document stating the legal name of the student, the degree, diploma or certificate earned and the date.
For additional information on Convocation Click Here!
Contact: convocation@cbu.ca
To graduate, students must submit a formal application for graduation. If a student plans to graduate, they must submit an application regardless of whether they intend to participate in the scheduled ceremonies.
Academic Policy
**Policy Authority: University Registrar
Cape Breton University shall confer approved credentials to students who meet the specific program requirements in addition to the university standards as detailed in this policy including:
1) Meeting the requirements for graduation;
2) Applying and being deemed eligible for graduation; and
3) Receiving the parchment.
All students applying for graduation must meet the specific program profile requirements as approved by Senate and published in the University Calendar at the time the student is first enrolled in the program
Students are responsible for informing themselves of the University’s procedures and policies and the specific requirements associated with the degree, diploma or certificate sought. Every student accepted for Registration with Cape Breton University shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by the regulations and policies of the university and the program in which that student is enrolled.
To obtain a credential from Cape Breton University, all students must be approved for graduation. Students must submit an application for graduation that will be reviewed for eligibility. If eligible, the student will be approved for graduation by the Registrar. Application deadlines are posted on the Cape Breton University website.
If there has been an error in the printing of the original document, the original credential must be returned to Cape Breton University to receive a replacement credential.
Programs may have other residency requirements. These requirements will be included in the program requirements approved by the University Senate as listed within the University Calendar.
Please note, that students are responsible for following academic and financial policies and regulations in our CBU Academic Calendar and on our Financial Deadlines, Policies and Regulations page. Upon registration, students agree to be and shall be, bound by the regulations and policies of Cape Breton University as published in the CBU Academic Calendar or otherwise enacted by the University.
- Students meeting their program requirements by April will graduate in May.
- Students meeting their program requirements by August will graduate in November.
- Spring Convocation will be held on the Thursday and Friday prior to the long weekend in May.
- Fall Convocation will be held on the first week in November.
Students must apply to graduate and should note the deadlines listed in the Calendar of Events.
To be eligible to graduate students must apply to graduate via their Compass Student Account before the application closes. There is a $100 application fee. The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. If your application is canceled, you’ll need to re-apply for a future graduation. You’ll have to pay the fee again. Applications received after the application closes will be charged a $50 fee. **(in effect for Spring 2025)
All fees must be paid in advance for students to be eligible to attend the ceremony and receive their credentials.
Student name as it appears in the Compass Student Account is the name that will appear on a diploma. This is the name that will be printed on your diploma and any other documents related to Convocation (programs, graduation list, invitations, etc.). No additional personal information will be added to the Diploma. Cape Breton University does not add any additional titles, designations, notations, and/or external credentials awarded to a student on a Cape Breton University Diploma or to a Student Academic Record. An official Student Record and/or Diploma will contain the legal name of a student.
Any requests to change that name, by means of alteration, deletion, substitution, or addition, must be made through a Change of Information form and submitted to Admissions@cbu.ca this must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. For further information, contact the Registrar@cbu.ca.
Graduation is the awarding of a credential (degree, diploma, or certificate) by the Cape Breton University Senate. Students must apply to graduate to be awarded a credential and receive their diploma.
Convocation is the graduation ceremony where a student will walk across the stage in your gown and academic hood and receive a parchment (the physical document that indicates that the credential is awarded).
Send questions related to graduation to convocation@cbu.ca.
Note: Only students who attend the Convocation Ceremony will have their names presented at Convocation.
Cape Breton University Senate
To officially graduate from Cape Breton University, a student must be approved by the Cape Breton University Senate. The Cape Breton University Senate is responsible for the educational policy of the University, such as conferring degrees. The Senate has voting members, with the majority being the Registrar, Executive University Members, faculty members, deans, and students. The Senate approves students to graduate twice a year – in the Fall (November) and Spring (May). For a student to be considered for graduation, they must apply to Graduate once it opens and by the stated deadline dates.
Language on the Cape Breton University Parchment: “The Senate of Cape Breton University confers the Degree/Diploma/Certificate of [Name of credential] on [Legal name of Student] who has completed all the requirements of the course of study prescribed by the Statutes of Cape Breton University and grants all honours, rights and privileges which appertain to this Degree/Diploma/Certificate. ”
Cape Breton University Parchment
Any changes to your recorded legal name must be supported with a piece of government-issued photo ID. If a student wishes to change their legal name, the student must email enrolment@cbu.ca and attach a scanned or photographed copy of their government-issued photo ID that shows their legal name as it should appear on their parchment. The Deadline to change a name is one month prior to convocation.
Posthumous Degrees
A degree (undergraduate or graduate) may be awarded posthumously when the following two conditions are met:
1. A family member of a deceased student makes a request
2. The student has undertaken and substantially completed all courses and other requirements for the degree
A posthumous degree may be awarded to an undergraduate student who dies before all degree requirements are fulfilled. As a general policy, to be eligible for consideration, the student must have successfully completed, at a minimum, all but the final year courses for the degree program the student was registered in at the time of death.
With the approval of the Registrar and Dean, a degree may be awarded posthumously to a deceased student who completed a degree program or was completing the year of their degree program. Degrees granted posthumously will be noted on the transcript of record.
The name of the student awarded a posthumous degree will be included in the convocation program with **awarded posthumously noted. Family members will be invited to attend convocation ceremonies.
Updated: May 1, 2023
Cape Breton University reserves the right, without liability or penalty and without notice, to make changes to its policies and offered services and programs, including alteration of fees, cancellation of courses and changes to financial policies including the Refund Policy. Every student accepted for registration in Cape Breton University shall be deemed to have agreed to any such changes, whether made before or after said acceptance.
University Crest Provisions
The university crest was approved by “Heraldry Canada” The CBU crest and coat of arms was authorized by the Governor General at Rideau Hall! The governing body must approve any changes regarding the Crest before changes can be made.
https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/3154
Cape Breton University Coat of Arms
The Cape Breton University Coat of Arms, imprinted on all of our parchments, is a multi-cultural design based on our Mi’kmaq and Celtic heritage. The fox, the eagle and the rich greenery are native to Cape Breton Island and are a reference to the university’s beautiful surroundings. The fox is known for its intelligence and indicates the intellectual pursuits involved in acquiring a degree. It is a reference to the university’s founder. Dr. Donald F. Campbell, known as the “silver fox”. The eagle represents intelligence and idealism. It also honours the unique connections between Cape Breton University and the Mi’kmaq community.
The Canterbury cap is symbolic of higher learning. The mayflowers are the floral emblem of Nova Scotia
THEID DÌCHIOLL AIR THOISEACH; This is a Gaelic phrase meaning “Perseverance will Triumph”
Cape Breton University Mace, Chain of Office and Chairs
The Cape Breton sloop is taken from the Great Seal of the Colony of Cape Breton (1784-1820) and honours the university’s location. The wavy bands of blue and white suggest the ocean and the Bras d’Or Lakes. The spruce boughs honour the First Nations that were the first inhabitants of the island, and the maple leaf refers to Canada. The keys and the open book allude to the idea of unlocking knowledge.
The Mace, given by Mr. and Mrs. Irving Schwartz in memory of Mrs. Rose Schwartz, was designed and created by Cape Breton’s own jeweller and craftsman, Darryl MacLeod. The shaft of the Mace is formed by a portion of an oak window from Moxham’s Castle. The top of the ornate crown is adorned with four diamonds donated by Dr. Robert Morgan in memory of his wife, Barbara, who died in 1993.
The President’s Chain of Office, also designed and created by Mr. MacLeod, speaks boldly of Cape Breton University and Cape Breton. The Chain was commissioned in honour of Cape Breton University’s twentieth anniversary and was donated by the partners and staff of Deloitte & Touche in honour of Mr. James W. Miller, former managing partner.
Silver thistles and gold fiddles join the Chain. The Chain also has a silver fleur de lis, a replica of a coin from the “Chameau” treasure, and a silver medallion of the Cross and Crescent of the Mi’kmaw flag. CBU’s Coat of Arms shares the focal point with the Great Seal of Cape Breton. The Chain is designed to represent our ties with the French and Mi’kmaw cultures, as well as our strong Celtic ties with the Scottish, Irish and Breton settlers.
Cape Breton’s best known furniture maker, Leo MacNeil, crafted two chairs for our Institution. The larger of the two chairs is used by the Chancellor during convocation ceremonies. The back of the chair has the Cape Breton University Coat of Arms hand engraved and painted. The second chair is used by the President. Both chairs have been constructed from Cape Breton oak, with green velvet seats to complement the University’s colours and the green of Cape Breton.
Mace Bearer
The Mace Bearer is symbolic role at the Cape Breton University Convocation and leads the platform party, which includes the Chancellor, the President, and other dignitaries, onto the stage for the Convocation ceremonies.
Valedictorian
One of the traditional parts of Convocation is the Valedictorian speech. The term “valedictorian” comes from the Latin vale dicere, “to say farewell”. During the Convocation ceremony, the Valedictorian delivers a formal address on behalf of the graduating class. Representing the graduating class as Valedictorian is a great honour and a unique pleasure for the graduate and his/her family and friends.
The successful candidate(s) will be selected by the Valedictorian Committee, to which they will present portfolio part of the selection process.
Institutional Identification
The name, crest and seal of Cape Breton University will appear on all parchments. No other University’s crest or seal will be included. (Except for Canadian Coast Guard College)
Degree Description
The name of the degree and defining characteristics (honours, major, double major, cooperative education program, concentration and field of study, where applicable) will be included on undergraduate parchments.
Policy Steward
University Registrar and Director of Admissions
