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Students

Additional Instructions for Winter Commencement

Eligibility | Where to Obtain Tickets | Ordering Your Regalia | Graduation Announcements | Driving Directions | Special Assistance | Day of the Ceremony | Photographs | Obtaining Your Diploma | Questions?

Please read these instructions carefully to ensure that your graduation day goes smoothly.

Eligibility

If you are receiving either your undergraduate degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences during the fall term or your graduate degree from a unit affiliated with LAS, you are invited to attend Winter Commencement. If you do not wish to participate in the winter ceremony, you may participate in the spring ceremonies. Information for those events will arrive at your permanent address sometime in the spring from the Office of the Chancellor.

Where to Obtain Tickets

Each registered participant will receive five tickets, which are provided at no charge. You will be able to pick up tickets beginning Monday, December 1, in the LAS Student Academic Affairs Office in 270 Lincoln Hall.

If you reside outside of Champaign-Urbana area, you will have been asked to indicate this in the "comment" section of the registration form. Your information and tickets will be mailed to you.

Ordering Your Regalia

Regalia is required for you to participate in the ceremony. Rent your cap and gown online at Herff-Jones from October through November 29 at 11:59 p.m. After this date, you will pay a $20 late fee. Payment is due when you pick up the regalia. Only check or cash is accepted. The tassel is yours to keep.

Rental costs:

  • $41 Bachelor's cap and gown
  • $54 Master's cap, gown, and hood
  • $72 Doctor's cap, gown, and hood

Pick up your regalia at the Illini Union Bookstore, Author's Corner (second floor) on:

  • Wednesday, December 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; or
  • Thursday, December 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Regalia is returned at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts following the ceremony (location will be announced).

Graduation Announcements

Personalized graduation announcements may be purchased through the Illini Union Bookstore, 809 South Wright Street, Champaign, or from Herff-Jones. Announcements are also available through local bookstores and copy shops.

Driving Directions

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Great Hall
500 South Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-6700

Guests enter the Great Hall from the lobby level. Seating begins at 3:15 and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

On weekends, parking is free in Krannert Center's underground parking garages. Enter the north garages off Illinois Street or the south garages off Oregon Street. Additional parking can be found on the streets around Krannert Center, or in other University of Illinois parking lots along Oregon and Illinois streets. When the Krannert Center underground garages are full, you will be directed to another parking location.

Special Assistance/Seating for Guests

If family members or guests require special assistance, please contact Krannert Center's house manager at (217) 333-9716 no later than two days before the ceremony for information on parking locations, special seating, and accessible entrances.

Day of the Ceremony

Students are asked to report at 3:15 p.m. the day of the ceremony to Level 2 of the Krannert Center.

The LAS Winter Commencement will begin with a procession of faculty and graduating students in academic regalia. Your name will be read as you cross the stage to receive your diploma cover. There is a brief address to graduates and guests, and finally, a recession to the lobby. A reception will be held in the Krannert lobby immediately following the ceremony. The ceremony is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes in length.

Photographs

A professional photographer will take pictures of you as you receive your diploma cover from the dean of the college. You will be able to order these photographs and will receive information about ordering at the ceremony.

Obtaining Your Diploma

Because it is not possible to process grades and prepare degree lists by the day of the commencement, diplomas will be mailed to graduates sometime in mid-February.

Please go into the UI Integrate Self-Service application and enter or update "Diploma Address," which is the address the University will use for mailing your diploma.

  • If the diploma is returned to the Office of Admissions and Records, you will be responsible for providing the correct address and paying for any forwarding mail charges, as well as a processing fee.
  • If your diploma is not returned to the Office of Admissions and Records, you will be responsible for providing the correct address and paying for the cost of the replacement diploma.

Name changes may be made in person at the appropriate office. For additional questions, contact Registration Services.

An email from the Office of the Registrar will be sent to all potential graduates approximately three weeks before commencement asking them to verify their name and address and make corrections if necessary.

For More Information

LAS Winter Commencement Office
(217) 333-0010
las-decgrad@illinois.edu