2012 LAS Commencement Instructions for Students

**Please read all instructions thoroughly**

Undergraduate, Masters' and Doctoral students planning to participate in the 2012 LAS Commencement Ceremony must complete the Attendance Reservation Form. If you do not complete this form, you will not be able to walk in Commencement or obtain tickets for your guests.

The deadline for submitting the Attendance Reservation Form is April 15, 2012. After this date, the Form will close and no late RSVPs will be accepted.

Ticket Pickup

Tickets will be available for pick-up at the UIC Pavilion Box Office (525 South Racine Ave) at the dates and times below. Students must show an I-Card to receive tickets. Tickets are available only to graduates who have reserved them on the Attendance Reservation Form. All guests must have tickets to be admitted to the Pavilion.

  • 4/26 - 9am-4pm
  • 4/27 - 9am-4pm
  • 4/28 - 10am-3pm
  • 4/29 - 10am-2pm

Alumni Association Exit Survey


In order to be eligible to receive a diploma cover at commencement, please take the time to complete the Alumni Association's Exit Survey.

Caps and Gowns

Academic dress will be available in the Student Center East Bookstore beginning in April. Cap and gowns cannot be purchased the day of graduation. Only those with correct academic attire are permitted to participate. 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. If you are receiving a Bachelor of Science, your tassel will be gold. If you are receiving a Bachelor of Arts, your tassel will be white.

Photography

Professional photographs will be taken of each graduate as you cross the stage and as you leave the stage with your diploma cover. You will be sent proofs and receive order forms within 5 to 7 days following the ceremony from the photography company, using the address provided in the Attendance Reservation form.

Please let your guests know that they cannot approach the stage or you for the purpose of photographs or presentation of flowers or gifts during the ceremony.

Reminders

  • Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.. Please note that those arriving after 9:30 a.m. will NOT be accommodated.
  • Smoking is NOT permitted in the assembly area.
  • Proper academic attire MUST be worn.
  • The only acceptable paraphernalia are those issued to students graduating with various honors.
  • Leave all personal belongings with your guests; there is nowhere to store them in the garage.
  • No restrooms are available in the garage.
  • Pavilion security will escort out any persons who cause disruption in any manner.
  • Cell phones MUST be turned off.
  • Guests are NOT permitted in the garage.

FOR DAY OF CEREMONY INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE CLICK BELOW:

Undergraduate Degrees

  1. Graduates are to sign-in and assemble in the Pavilion Parking Structure at 1100 West Harrison Street starting at 8:30 a.m.. Please note that those arriving after 9:30 a.m. will not be accommodated.
  2. After checking in and receiving an imprinted name card, proceed to the area designated for your major field.
  3. If you have been informed that your degree is being awarded with the honor of cum laude, summa cum laude, or magna cum laude, and you have not previously received a cord designating your honor check-in at the honors cord table.
  4. The processional into the Pavilion will proceed under the direction of college marshals and Pavilion staff. Once you reach your chair, you are to sit; do not remain standing.
  5. After the general conferral of degrees, the graduates will be escorted to the platform, present their name cards, and without stopping, proceed to center stage to shake hands with the Dean.
  6. Each graduate will receive a diploma cover when leaving the stage.
  7. In order to accommodate all graduates it is important that each graduate move quickly from the stage down the far stairway and return to their seat.

Masters Degrees

  1. Candidates for masters' degrees are to sign-in and assemble in the Pavilion Parking Structure at 1100 West Harrison Street starting at 8:30 a.m.. Please note that those arriving after 9:30 a.m. will not be accommodated.
  2. After checking in and receiving an imprinted name card proceed to the area designated for your major field.
  3. You should position yourself to be at the front of your major group, ahead of the bachelor's degree candidates.
  4. The processional into the Pavilion will proceed under the direction of college marshals and Pavilion staff. Once you reach your chair, you are to sit; do not remain standing.
  5. After the general conferral of degrees, the graduates will be escorted to the platform, present their name cards, and without stopping, proceed to center stage to shake hands with the Dean.
  6. Each graduate will receive a diploma cover when leaving the stage.
  7. After the general conferral of degrees, the graduates will be escorted to the platform, present their name cards and proceed to center stage, receive a diploma cover and shake hands with the Dean.
  8. In order to accommodate all graduates it is important that each graduate move quickly from the stage down the far stairway and return to the seats.

Doctoral Degrees

  1. Candidates for doctoral degrees are to sign-in and assemble at the Pavilion Parking Structure at 1100 Harrison Street starting at 8:30 a.m.. Please note that those arriving after 9:30 a.m. will not be accommodated.
  2. After checking in and receiving an imprinted name card, assemble in the designated area for all Doctoral students with your dissertation advisor. Staff and marshals will assist.
  3. Your processional will proceed down the center aisle in advance of the processional of other college degree candidates under the direction of a college marshal and Pavilion staff. Once you reach your chair, you are to sit; do not remain standing.
  4. After the general hooding and conferral of degrees, the graduates will be escorted to the platform, present their name cards, and without stopping, proceed to center stage to shake hands with the Dean.
  5. In order to accommodate all graduates it is important that each graduate move quickly along the stage and down the far stairway and return to the seats.