Day of Commencement
Instructions for Students Heading link
Your Marching Orders Grad Pass (unique QR code) is required for entry into the Credit Union 1 Arena. You must have the Grad Pass (QR code) when you approach the stage. If you do not have your card, you will not be able to participate.
Admission to the arena begins at 8:30 a.m.
- Graduates need to check in and enter at Gate 2 (next to the parking garage on Harrison). Guests enter through the remaining arena entrances (they cannot enter through Gate 2).
- Proper academic attire must be worn.
- You must have your Grad Pass (QR code) with you at all times.
- All guests need tickets to enter the arena, including children.
- Graduates are expected to stay for the full duration of the ceremony out of respect for their peers.
- The only acceptable paraphernalia are those issued to students graduating with various honors.
- Leave at home, or in your cars, all bags, backpacks, briefcases, large purses, etc. The Credit Union 1 Arena will not provide storage space for personal property during the ceremonies. Please, also, advise your guests to travel light.
- Smoking is not permitted on campus property.
- Cell phones must be silenced or powered off.
- Strollers, balloons, and noisemakers are not permitted in the Credit Union 1 Arena.
- Please inform your guests that they cannot approach the stage or you for the purpose of photographs or presentation of flowers/gifts during the ceremony.
- Arena security will escort out any persons who cause disruption in any manner.
- For special guest accommodations, please call the Credit Union 1 Arena at 312-413-5700.
- For students who need special accommodations during the event, please email commencement@uic.edu.
Specific Instructions Heading link
-
Undergraduate
- Graduates are to assemble in the Credit Union 1 Arena starting at 8:30 a.m.
- Graduates are to check-in at Gate 2 by 9:30 a.m and then proceed to the arena floor to be seated with their major by 9:50 a.m.
- All guest tickets are issued to students electronically. No tickets are available at the venue.
- On the day of the ceremony, graduates may direct questions to staff at Gate 2.
- 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.
- After the general conferral of degrees, the graduates will be escorted to the platform, scan their Grad Pass (QR code), and, without stopping, proceed to center stage to receive congratulations by from UIC administration.
- Each graduate will receive a diploma cover when leaving the stage.
- In order to accommodate all graduates, it is important that each graduate move quickly from the stage, down the far ramp, and return to his or her seat.
- Graduates who need special accommodations during the ceremony should contact the Credit Union 1 Arena at (312) 413-5700 or email questions@uicpavilion.com.
-
Masters'
- Candidates for masters’ degrees are to assemble in the Credit Union 1 Arena starting at 7:30 a.m. Please note that those arriving after 8:30 a.m. will not be accommodated.
- All guest tickets are issues to students electronically. No tickets are available at the venue.
- Any questions on the day of the ceremony can be directed to staff at Gate 2.
- After the general conferral of degrees, graduates will be escorted to the platform, scan their Grad Pass (QR codes), and, without stopping, proceed to center stage to receive congratulations from UIC administration.
- Each graduate will receive a diploma cover when leaving the stage.
- In order to accommodate all graduates, it is important that each graduate move quickly from the stage, down the far ramp, and return to his or her seat.
- Graduates who need special accommodations during the ceremony should email commencement@uic.edu
-
Doctoral
- A new hooding ceremony will be held by the Graduate college on Friday, May 3, at 7:00 pm in the UIC Forum. As a result, hooding will not take place at the LAS commencement ceremony.
- LAS doctoral graduates may register for and then attend both the Graduate College hooding ceremony and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony. However, due to time restrictions, hooding will only take place at the Graduate College hooding ceremony on Friday May 3, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the UIC Forum. Information regarding the Graduate College hooding ceremony will be forthcoming. For questions contact commencement@uic.edu
- Candidates for doctoral degrees are to assemble in the Credit Union 1 Arena starting at 8:30 a.m. Graduates should arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. for check-in and will then proceed to the arena floor. Graduates should be seated no later than 9:50 a.m.
- All guest tickets are issues to students electronically. No tickets are available at the venue.
- Any questions on the day of the ceremony can be directed to staff at Gate 2.
- There is a designated seating section where doctoral candidates sit. Once you reach your chair, you are to sit; do not remain standing.
- After the conferral of doctoral degrees, the graduates will be escorted to the platform via the ramp. At the stage platform, graduates should present their Grad Pass (QR code) for staff to scan, and will be directed to proceed to across the stage where graduates will be congratulated by UIC administration, and will then exit the stage via the ramp.
- In order to accommodate all graduates, it is important that each graduate move quickly from the stage, down the far ramp, and return to their seat.
- Each graduate will receive a diploma cover when exiting the ramp.
- Graduates who need special accommodations during the ceremony should email commencement@uic.edu