Convocation History and Tradition
Convocation at the University of Toronto enjoys a rich history, embedded with tradition. Learn more about the traditions and meaning behind them here.
Academic Regalia
Academic regalia has its origin in the everyday dress of people in the Middle Ages. This consisted of a tunic (or toga) over which might be worn a cloak. Over the tunic or cloak, to protect the head and shoulders, would be a hood.
All University of Toronto candidates must wear academic gowns and hoods. Bachelor and master gowns are worn like a coat and zipped closed in the front. Doctoral gowns are worn open. The hood is worn draped over the shoulders and hangs down the back. Hoods are neither required, nor worn, for candidates from diploma and certificate courses.
Indigenous Regalia
In this context, Indigenous peoples include the First Nations, Inuk (Inuit), and Métis peoples of Canada.
The University of Toronto normally requires all graduands to wear an academic gown and hood when crossing the stage at graduation.
However, if an Indigenous graduand wishes to wear their traditional Indigenous regalia in place of the academic gown, they are very welcome to do so.
In any event, the academic hood – the colour and style of which corresponds to the academic degree earned— must be worn. The hood is the recognition of the graduating student’s academic success and a critical part of the academic tradition. It signifies admission into a community of scholars, and as such must be worn with one’s traditional Indigenous regalia or academic regalia.
Stoles
While stoles are sometimes worn as an expression of one’s culture or heritage, they are not part of the University’s approved academic regalia and may not be worn during the convocation ceremony. They may, however, be worn under your gown and hood during the ceremony, and after the ceremony has concluded be made visible outside Convocation Hall while celebrating with your friends and family.
Coat of Arms
In 1917 the Board of Governors of the University, on account of the many incorrect forms in common use, applied to the College of Arms for a correct emblazoning of the Arms of the University of Toronto. An interpretation of the heraldic description is here given: On a blue field, two open books with a beaver below; on the chief, or upper part the Royal and Imperial Crown on a white field, all in their proper Colours; and for a crest, on a wreath of the colours (i.e. blue and white) an Oak tree, with branches and golden acorns. The motto of the University “Velut arbor aevo” – may it grow as a tree through the ages – is an adaptation of Horace’s lines “crescit occulto velut arbor aevo fama Marcelli” (Odes I.12, line 45).
Convocation Hall
Convocation Hall was built in 1906 “through the exertions of the Alumni Association, from funds subscribed by the graduates and friends of the University and from a grant by the Ontario Government.” The University of Toronto Alumni Association raised more than $50,000 (nearly $1 million in today’s dollars) for its construction, an amount that was matched by the Province. The Alumni Association’s funding appeal called for “accommodations for commencements [and] meetings of an academic and social nature.” The building would also answer “the need for dignity at convocations so that the degree is properly honoured.” This magnificent gift from one far-sighted generation to the future has not only witnessed the graduation of tens of thousands of students over the subsequent decades, it has also been the vital centre for a multitude of campus activities of local, national and international significance. Convocation Hall has come to represent the whole of the University; the one building to which all alumni can relate. The focal point of our collective heritage, it continues to make a unique contribution to this great University.
To celebrate the 90th anniversary of this Toronto landmark, Toby and Joey Tanenbaum, two distinguished alumni of the University of Toronto, made a very generous donation that allowed the University to install air conditioning in the building. After decades of often sweltering spring convocations, this wonderful gift has ensured the comfort of students, graduands, their families and friends at June convocations. Convocation Hall celebrated its 100th anniversary in a special convocation on May 31, 2007. In the summer of 2009, the circular foyer of the Hall was returned to its original welcoming grandeur with all paint and finishes refreshed and new lighting installed. More recently, in 2020, the University restored the oculus, a key feature of Convocation Hall, while retaining the Beaux Arts architectural style of the building’s original architect Frank Darling. While the skylight serves a very practical purpose of allowing in natural light, this feature also has a symbolic meaning. The term oculus refers to a round shape and to the eye, both fitting for convocation and the University’s symbolic centre.
Honorary Degree Recipients
The Committee for Honorary Degrees is responsible for recommending to the Governing Council the conferral of honorary degrees upon individuals whose accomplishments are of such excellence that they provide inspiration and leadership to the graduates of the University, and who, by their presence, bring honour and distinction to the institution.
The University of Toronto Mace
The Mace was made in London, England by Hicklenton and Phillips, and hall-marked by the assay office of the ancient City of London Guild, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. It was designed in the traditional “forme or patterne” of the famous Thomas Maundy maces, and has the arch or crown surmounted by the orb and cross. On the cushion below the crown are the arms of George IV who granted the University its original charter in 1827. The bowl is divided into four panels by chased straps, each strap decorated with the maple leaf and the trillium. The panels bear the following designs: the cypher always used by George IV; the arms of the University; the arms of the Province of Ontario; and the arms of Canada.
The head is surmounted by the traditional circlet of crosses and fleur-de-lys, from which spring the arches of the crown. On the two bosses and foot knop of the shaft the finely chased maple leaf and trillium decoration is repeated. The brackets connecting the bowl to the shaft incorporate small chased models of a beaver, together with the trillium motif. The shaft, which is plain, carries the following inscription. “This Mace with the Esquire Beadles’ Staves was presented to the University of Toronto by William Eric Phillips, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., B.A.Sc., LL.D., Chairman of the Board of Governors, May 1951.”
There is no metal or wooden inner shaft as in many of the early maces; the Mace is constructed entirely of silver and mercurial gilt, and weighs 120 ounces Troy; the decoration is enhanced with dull and bright burnishing.