McGill backtracks on charging for convocation, limiting guest access after student backlash
Petition garnered over 1,100 signatures as students expressed outrage over changes
After widespread complaints, McGill University has backtracked on its plan to halve the number of available tickets for the 2025 convocation ceremonies and says it will waive all ticket costs.
In a memo sent to students, McGill had said it was charging $25 per ticket to help offset the cost of the event, which will be held indoors this year. The university also said it would only be offering two tickets per graduate, rather than four.
But those measure were walked back as of late Friday afternoon.
Last-minute changes to convocation plans frustrated students, with some even launching a petition that garnered over 1,100 signatures.
Last year, the university held its convocation ceremonies at the Bell Centre because of the pro-Palestinian encampment on the downtown campus. The school says that cost over $700,000.
But this year, McGill says the Bell Centre is unavailable — and the event must still be held indoors — so instead, the convocation will take place in the Tomlinson Fieldhouse gym. That meant space was limited, the school had said.
Before learning that McGill was changing course, Sara Raubvogel, who is graduating this year, said it was frustrating.
"This is a big deal and obviously this happens once in a lifetime and I was really excited," she said, looking forward to her whole family coming out and attending.
Mason Di Pierdomenico, who is also graduating this year, expressed similar concerns.
"It saddens me and a lot of the McGill graduates that we can't be on this lawn here with our family and friends enjoying the beautiful McGill campus," he said.
Several more students reached out to CBC News to express their concerns as well.
McGill acknowledges mistake in planning
In a statement Friday, the school said it was listening to those concerns and working to address them. It described the decision as a mistake. By the afternoon, plans changed.
In a letter to graduating students, the school's interim deputy provost, Angela Campbell, began by offering a sincere apology.
"I've heard your disappointment, your frustration and your many valid concerns about the recently announced changes to convocation," she wrote. "We could and should have managed the flow of information and the planning around your convocation day more effectively."
Students can now bring four guests for free, but must still register for the ceremonies that will still be held in the Tomlinson Fieldhouse gym.
Earlier, she had said it's a smaller space, so only two tickets are available per graduate, with a limited number of extra tickets going on sale two days before each ceremony. But in response to concerns, additional evening convocation ceremonies were added on May 28 and 29.
Campbell had said the $25 fee was introduced for all convocation ceremonies taking place this academic year to help offset the significant costs of organizing an event of this scale — something, she said, other universities do.
Some raised concerns about the temperature in the Fieldhouse, she wrote Friday afternoon, but said the school is addressing this by installing a temporary cooling system.
"You can also expect a celebratory atmosphere and decor in keeping with what McGillians have come to expect, and deserve, for this special occasion."
There will be livestreaming available for those who can't attend.
McGill has not said why convocation must be held indoors again this year.
The original plan to charge for tickets to help cover costs comes as universities across the province are struggling to balance their budgets — facing a $200 million shortfall.
At McGill, however, the budget was balanced mainly through staff attrition and retirements. The university is forecasting a 10 percent drop in international undergraduate students and warns that a steeper decline would significantly impact revenues.
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