Parking
Kilmarnock Campus will be closed to current students during the ceremonies, so parking spaces will be available. If the College car park is full, many of the town centre car parks are within walking distance of the campus. Please note, you will be charged for parking between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm.
Arrival
On arrival please enter the building via the back door, turn right through the automatic doors, take the stairwell to the first floor and make your way to the Refectory. Staff and Uniformed Services students will be there to guide you.
There will be no access via the front doors. These will be used an exit route only, after the ceremony.
Registration
All graduands must register with staff at the sign in desk at the entrance to the Refectory. You will be issued with a seat number, which you must keep hold of. You will need it when you enter the Ceremony Hall.
Tickets
Guests should present printed or electronic tickets to staff at the entrance door on arrival the Refectory. Graduands do not need tickets for themselves. Staff will already have details of those who have registered.
Gowns
If you have ordered a gown, you should collect it in the Refectory directly after you have registered. You may require safety pins to secure your gown.
You are responsible for ensuring that your gown and hood are returned to Ede an Ravenscroft after the ceremony. There will be a drop off area downstairs in the Atrium, outside The Partnership Centre.
Photography
Those who arrive early enough may have time to have their official photograph taken before the ceremony in room 1.12/1.13, directly opposite the Refectory.
Ede and Ravenscroft will close this studio early to allow people to be seated in time for the ceremony. Those who do not have time to be photographed before the ceremony will have theirs taken afterwards, downstairs in Open Space.
Seating
30 minutes before the ceremony staff will ask graduands to make their way downstairs to the Ceremony Hall. On entering the hall, graduands should make their way to the seat allocated to them.
Graduands are seated as per the running order of the event, it is therefore very important that you do not change seats, as this could result in disruption of the ceremony and graduates receiving the wrong certificate.
Please note, graduands and guests will not be seated together. Guests will be asked to make their way downstairs using a different staircase and will enter the Ceremony Hall using a different door. Guests can sit on any seat that does not have a label.
Personal belongings
Please do not bring personal belongings to your seat. We suggest leaving them with your guests, as you may not return to the same seat after receiving your certificate. Unfortunately there is no cloakroom.
The ceremony
When it is time to receive your certificate, staff will ask you to leave your seat and form a queue ready to access the stage. When your name is announced, walk onto the stage, shake hands with the Principal and stop to have a photograph taken.
Anyone requiring support to access the stage should have stated this at the time of booking and made appropriate arrangements with the Events Team.
You'll be able to purchase your presentation photograph from Ede and Ravenscroft after the event.
After you receive your award
You should leave the stage by the stairs on the opposite side, walk round the back of the hall, down the centre isle and back into your row. College staff will direct be present to direct you. Please then remain in your seat until the ceremony has finished. As mentioned, the seat you are allocated after receiving your certificate may not be the same one you had initially.
Making a Difference in the Community, Outstanding Achievement and Student of the Year award winners will be allocated a second seat to allow them to access the stage easily when it is time to receive these awards. Details will be given to recipients at registration.
Certificates
In the unlikely event that you receive an incorrect certificate, please accept the certificate presented to you and leave the stage as detailed above. At the end of the ceremony please notify a member of college staff.
After the ceremony / refreshments
When the ceremony finishes the piper will start piping and everyone will be directed into the Atrium, where graduates can reunite with guests and have photographs taken. Refreshments will be provided. Please note, there will be no refreshments available before the ceremony.