Commencement is the ceremony students may participate in to celebrate the completion of an academic degree program. Commencement is held annually in May for students who graduated during the preceding year.
Graduation occurs when the student has completed all of their requirements and is awarded a degree. Graduation can occur during any semester. Attendance at Commencement is not required for graduation.
Only students who graduated in Summer 2011 or Fall 2011 or who are planning to graduate in Spring 2012 will be invited to participate in the 2012 Commencement ceremony. Students who will still be enrolled for any number of credit hours during Summer 2012 or beyond may not participate this year, but they can still be invited to a future ceremony which corresponds to their term of graduation.
After successfully graduating or filling out an Intent to Graduate for Spring 2012, students must also RSVP for the Commencement ceremony in order to participate. Under the Instructions for Students page, eligible students will need to fill out the online Commencement Attendance Reservation form to reserve a seat and request tickets for guests. Students who do not fill out this form will not be accommodated. Further instructions for the day of the ceremony will be sent via email to those who have RSVPed.
YES! Only eligible students who have completed the Attendance Reservation form by the closing date may participate in the ceremony. In addition, this is the only way to request tickets for guests.
Paper invitations to Commencement are mailed to eligible students using the most recent mailing address on file with the university, but this invitation is only an announcement. All eligible students, whether or not you received the announcement, will be able to RSVP and request tickets for the ceremony using the online Attendance Reservation form. As long as this form is submitted prior to the close date, you will be able to participate.
No. However, all graduates are required to purchase their own cap and gown. Academic dress will be available in the Student Center East Bookstore beginning in April. Caps and gowns cannot be purchased the day of graduation. Only those with correct academic attire are permitted to participate. Contact the bookstore for more information at (312) 413-5500.
No. Diplomas will be mailed to you 3-4 months after your graduation is certified. Only diploma covers are distributed at Commencement.
No. Please follow all of the directions on the Instructions for Students page (or Instructions for Faculty) to know what to expect on the day of the ceremony.
Tickets are required only for guests at the ceremony. Graduates are guaranteed a spot in the processional, but all guests sitting in the audience will need a ticket to gain entrance to the pavilion.
Eligible students will need to submit the online Attendance Reservation form located on the Instructions for Students page once it is available.
You will log in to the Attendance Reservation form using your UIC netid and common password. If you have forgotten your password, please use the options provided by the Academic Computing and Communications Center (ACCC) to recover it. The use of netids for all Summer and Fall 2011 graduates has been extended through Spring to accommodate commencement reservations.
Students may request up to 4 tickets on the Attendance Reservation form. The number of seats at the UIC Pavilion is limited. So that we can accommodate all students and their guests, please request ONLY as many tickets as you plan to use.
Tickets will be available for pickup at the UIC Pavilion Box Office (525 South Racine Ave) at the dates and times below. Students must personally pick up their tickets and show an I-Card or other photo ID. Tickets are available only to graduates who have reserved them.
No. You must pick up your own tickets.
We understand that because of moving out of town, work schedules, etc., some students may be unable to pick up their tickets during the allotted pickup times. If you are unable to pick up your tickets, they will be made available at check-in on the morning of the ceremony. You will need to show an I-Card or other photo ID to receive your tickets. Please make sure you check in early to allow enough time to deliver the tickets to your guests.
4 is the maximum number of tickets allowed each student at the time of reservation. There is no charge for these tickets, and UIC will never sell any extras. The number of seats at the UIC Pavilion is limited, and we need to accommodate all students and their guests. All tickets for the 2012 ceremony were reserved by participating students, so NO EXTRA TICKETS will be available.
Yes. All children, regardless of age, need a ticket.
Approximately 2 hours.
Students must sign in between 8:30-9:30 a.m. See the Instructions for Students page for more information on where to check in.
The Pavilion doors open at 8:30 a.m. The ceremony will start promptly at 10 a.m.
Yes. Order forms will be sent by the photography company to the address provided on the Attendance Reservation form.
Videos will be available for purchase. Order forms can be found here.
Latin Honors are awarded to graduating students based on cumulative GPA. Students eligible for Honors will receive an e-mail notification from the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs. Please see this page for more information on how to qualify. Please note that because Spring 2012 grades will not yet be posted at the time of the Commencement ceremony, the determination of Latin Honors for potential Spring graduates will be based on grades reported through the end of the term prior to graduation. Additionally, transfer students must have completed a minimum of 42 semester hours at UIC at the end of the term prior to graduation and a minimum of 60 UIC hours upon graduation. UIC will reserve the right to make permanent adjustments to the list of students receiving Latin Honors based on final cumulative grade point average information.
If you are a member of the Honors College, you will receive a cord at the Honors College Convocation. If you are not a member of the Honors College, cord pickup will occur at the Grad Finale, sponsored by the University of Illinois Alumni Association. Cords will also be available the morning of commencement; however, it is preferable that you pick up your cord prior to the event.
Summa cum laude honorees will be distinguished with gold cords, magna cum laude honorees will be distinguished with silver cords, and cum laude honorees will be distinguished with bronze cords. Those who have been recognized for service and/or leadership awards will wear a red cord.
If you are receiving a Bachelor of Science, it will be gold. If you are receiving a Bachelor of Arts, it will be white.
Tassels are to be worn to the front, right of the cap prior to the ceremony. When degrees are conferred, graduates will be instructed to switch them to the left side.
The advisor stands to the right of the student.
Traditions USA is the vendor for these items. Visit www.traditionsusa.com or call 1-800-297-GRAD (4723).
You may log onto the University of Illinois Alumni Association's website and complete a survey regarding your experience at UIC in exchange for a diploma. After completing the survey, you can pick up a cover from the UIAA office in Student Center East, Suite 520.
Contact the Office of Registration and Records at (312) 996-4381.
Contact the UIC Pavilion at (312) 413-5700.
Email Nick Webster at nweb@uic.edu.
