Commencement is a time to honor and celebrate your hard work and academic achievements. Congratulations, UIC Business graduates!
Spring 2024 Commencement Heading link
The University of Illinois Chicago College of Business Administration Spring 2024 Commencement will be held on Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m at the Credit Union 1 Arena (525 South Racine).
We are proud of you and your accomplishments and invite you to celebrate with us.
Additional Information Heading link
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What is the difference between Commencement and Graduation?
More information can be found on the Commencement homepage.
Commencement
Commencement is a ceremony students may participate in for the purpose of celebrating the completion of an academic degree program. Commencement is held annually in May and December for students who graduated during the preceding term.
Graduation
Graduation occurs when a student has completed all requirements and is awarded a degree. Graduation can occur during any semester. Attendance at Commencement is not required for graduation.
More information can be found on the Commencement homepage.
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What does “conferral of degree” mean?
Conferral is the actual date a diploma is awarded. This is usually after the date of the Commencement Ceremony.
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Intent to Graduate
How do I submit my Intent to Graduate?
First, fill out and submit a form through Banner. Next, the courses will be audited to confirm that the student is eligible to graduate. The student will receive an email from an academic adviser between weeks 4 and 6 of the semester letting them know whether they are on track for graduation that semester given their current academic situation. Finally, the student will receive an email from UIC notifying them to register for the ceremony.
Intent to Graduate vs. Commencement Registration
Please note that the Intent to Graduate form does not automatically register students to attend Commencement. Students submit their Intent to Graduate once they have completed all required courses for their program. Once all requirements are met, this is referred to as the degree conferral. The Commencement Ceremony is a celebration of conferral.
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What do I need to do to participate in Commencement?
After submitting an Intent to Graduate, students must also register for the Commencement ceremony in order to participate. Registration information and details will be sent to graduating students directly, by email. Eligible students will need to register on the official commencement registration site to reserve a seat. Students who do not register will not be accommodated. Further instructions for the day of the ceremony will be sent by email. The deadline to register April 7.
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Cap and Gown Information
How do I order a Cap and Gown (a.k.a Regalia)?
Caps and gowns are available for purchase from the UIC Bookstore, located on the first floor of Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted. You can also order online. Shipping and in store pickup options are available. All graduates are required to wear a cap & gown to participate in the ceremony/walk across the stage.
Kickoff to Commencement is a one-stop event for graduates to pick up their academic regalia and other commencement-related items. Graduates can also learn more about resources and services for alumni. Kickoff to Commencement will be held on March 12, from 10am – 2pm, in the UIC Bookstore.
What color will my tassel be?
The Bachelor of Science tassel is gold. The BBA tassel is also gold. The Master of Science is blue.
Is there a fee to participate in Commencement?
There is not a fee to participate in the Commencement ceremony. However, all graduates are required to purchase their own cap and gown. Only those with correct academic attire are permitted to participate.
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Ticket Information
All guests are required to have a ticket for entry to the ceremony. At the time of registration, you can request up to 8 guest tickets. Please do not request more tickets than you need at that point. Additional tickets will be released after registration closes. An announcement will be sent on April 8 with information on requesting additional tickets. Any requests for additional tickets received prior to this announcement will be denied.
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Diploma Information
Where can I order announcements/diploma frames?
The UIC Bookstore and Jostens offer an assortment of diploma frames and other accessories for graduates.
Is Commencement required to receive my diploma?
No. Diplomas will be mailed approximately 4 weeks after your degree is certified. Only diploma covers, not diplomas, are distributed at Commencement. Diplomas will be mailed after the conferral date, which will be after the commencement ceremony. Please contact the Registrar’s office to confirm the name and mailing address for the diploma.
Who should I contact with diploma questions?
Graduates can create and/or update a Diploma Address on the Student Self Service system. All changes must be made prior to the last day of the term in which a student is graduating.
Contact the Office of the Registrar at (312) 996-4381 with any additional questions.
How do I get a diploma cover?
Diploma covers will be given out at the in person ceremonies. If a student is not planning on attending the in-person ceremonies, please contact commencement@uic.edu to request one.
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Latin Honors
Latin honor cords will be available for pick-up in Student Center East (SCE), dates to be determined.
How do I qualify for Latin Honors?
Latin Honors are awarded to graduating undergraduate students based on UIC grade point average. Students eligible for Latin Honors will receive an email notification from the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs. Please see the Office of the Registrar for more information on how to qualify. Please note that because spring 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. UIC will reserve the right to make permanent adjustments to the list of students receiving Latin Honors based on final UIC grade point average information.
Where do I pick up my honor cord?
Latin honor cords will be distributed in Room 613, Student Center East, April 29 and 30 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and May 1 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cords will also be available at check-in, at the Arena, prior to the ceremony. Eligible graduates will receive an email closer to the ceremony.
What color are the honor cords?
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.
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International Letter for Commencement (Parents)
Parents shouldn’t need a letter from the school, per se, unless the embassy is specifically advising as such. OIS can provide a very general letter (about 2 sentences) attesting to a student’s F or J status. The I-20 itself, though, is what they would use for more detailed information regarding status. Alternatively, they can also request enrollment verification letters from the Registrar’s Office for more information re: academic progress; as mentioned above, though, they should check first with the consulate where their parents plan to apply, to be sure.
Students will get an RSVP via email which can also be used to show date and time of the ceremony.
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Graduation Products
Graduation products including flower bouquets, graduate t-shirts, and spirit necklaces will be available for purchase from the Commencement Group at the Credit Union 1 Arena. Items can also be purchased in advance. All online orders will be available for pickup on site the day of the graduation. To retrieve your order, please stop by the booth located conveniently at the entrance to the graduation before the ceremony begins.
Marching Orders Heading link
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Preferred First Names
If you have a preferred first name on file with the university that is different from your legal first name and you would like that to be used at the commencement ceremonies or in the printed commencement programs, please email commencement@uic.edu no later than March 22.
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Grad Pass
Your Grad Pass will have a QR code that will be scanned upon entry to the venue and will also be used on stage. You can have your Grad Pass on your phone or use a printout. If using your phone, please make sure it is sufficiently charged. You can access your Grad Pass through the Marching Order website using your individual login as soon as you register. Your Grad Pass will be used to display your name and degree as you cross the stage and to play your professional name recording.
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Graduate Slides
All graduates will have a graduate slide that can be customized at the time of registration by uploading a photo and personal message. The graduate slides for those who register will be shown prior to the ceremonies. If you will not be attending the ceremonies, but would still like to personalize a slide, the slides will be available on our virtual site. The link will be on our homepage. Graduate slides can be posted to social media or downloaded to share with family and friends.
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In-Person Graduation Slides
When students register to attend the in-person ceremony they will create slides that will display the graduate’s name, degree, and major as they cross the stage. Graduates should contact commencement@uic.edu for any questions regarding graduation slides. -
Name Recording for In-Person Graduates
The names of all graduates will be recorded by professional name readers. These will be used in place of in-person name readers. Graduates who register are issued a GradPass with a QR code, the code is scanned once the student gets on stage and the name recording is played. Graduates should contact commencement@uic.edu for any questions regarding name recording.
Day-Of Commencement Heading link
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UIC COVID-19 Policy
In alignment with UIC’s masking policy, the Credit Union 1 Arena no longer requires masks. Policies are subject to change.
Graduates should contact commencement@uic.edu for any questions regarding this policy.
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Is there a rehearsal?
No. Please follow all of the instructions on the official Commencement registration website for information on what to expect on the day of the ceremony. Students will receive this link in their email for registration.
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What if some of my family and friends cannot make the ceremony?
There will be a livestream option for the ceremony and archive after the date of the ceremony.
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What side of my cap does the tassel go on?
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.
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Who do I contact if I or my guests require special accommodations?
Contact the Credit Union 1 Arena at (312) 413-5700.
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Graduation Portraits
Students will have a formal graduation portrait taken at the ceremony once the diploma cover is in hand.
GradImages® is the official photographer at the commencement ceremonies. Photos are available to view and order by visiting their website at www.gradimages.com. Enter Last Name, School Name and select Event Year from the dropdown menu. For additional help, call the Customer Service Department at 800.261.2576 or email giservice@gradimages.net.
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Policies
The Credit Union 1 Arena has limited and prohibited certain items from being brought into the venue. Please refer to the venue’s FAQ for full details. Metal detectors will be in use at the Arena. For questions about these policies, please contact the Credit Union 1 Arena at (312) 413-5700 or email questions@uicpavilion.com
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Seating
Seating is not assigned. Graduates will, though, be seated by major/program. Graduates are also not seated in alphabetical order. You can reference a floor map upon arrival to the Arena.
Questions? Heading link
For any additional questions or assistance, please email Businesscommencement@uic.edu