For faculty and staff awareness:

The following message was emailed to UIS students on March 6, 2025 regarding important commencement information to be aware of.

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Dear students,

You are receiving this message because you may be eligible to participate in the 2025 Commencement Ceremonies. All critical commencement information will continue to arrive via your uis.edu email, so check your inbox frequently. You can also check the Commencement website for updates. 

Commencement Ceremonies

This year, three commencement ceremonies (divided by college) will be held in the Sangamon Auditorium in the UIS Performing Arts Center at UIS:  

• Friday, May 9 at 7 p.m. - Graduates from the College of Health, Science and Technology
• Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. - Graduates from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences AND the College of Public Affairs and Education
• Saturday, May 10 at 3 p.m. - Graduates from the College of Business and Management

Participation

The following steps are required to participate in commencement:

1. Confirm participation: Graduates can confirm participation by submitting an online intent to participate on the Commencement website between March 10 and 24. A communication will be sent on March 10 once the form is live. Only those students who are eligible will be able to submit their intent to participate. This step is required, even for students who are making special cap and gown arrangements (e.g., borrowing a black cap and gown). 
2. Purchase a cap and gown online: After clicking submit on the online intent to participate, a screen will appear with information about purchasing your cap and gown. Screen grab this information or be prepared to immediately follow the prompts to purchase your regalia. Orders can be mailed to your home or to the UIS Bookstore for pick up.  Note: The UIS Bookstore has temporarily moved into Founder’s Hall and because of their reduced space, they will not have any caps or gowns on site for purchase; therefore, participating graduates who need to purchase regalia MUST do so online.

Alternative Cap and Gown Arrangements: Students making special cap and gown arrangements (e.g., borrowing a black cap and gown) MUST still confirm their participation by submitting an online intent to participate. 

Photographs

A professional photographer will record the moment graduates are given their diploma cover by the Chancellor.  Full-color proofs of these photos and instructions for ordering will be mailed to graduates shortly after commencement. The photographer will also be available for portraits after each ceremony in the UIS Performing Arts Center. The UIS photographer also captures images throughout the day. A public album will be available several days after commencement on the UIS Brand website.

Special Events

Numerous events are being planned for certain groups, colleges and/or departments. As details become available, they will be posted on the Commencement website. 

Special Needs/Assistance

Graduates with a disability-related accommodation request should contact Graduation in the Office of Records and Registration (217-206-7730 or registrar@uis.edu). Graduates with guests who need an accessible accommodation (mobility, visual, hearing, etc.) will have an opportunity to provide a request when submitting the online intent to participate.

Student Speaker

Our student commencement speaker is an important tradition at UIS.  Information regarding when and where the auditions will be held is provided on the online application.  All graduating students are eligible to audition.  Representatives of the faculty will select the speaker.  If you wish to apply, please fill out the online Student Speaker Application form and read the special instructions listed.  Application forms must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 21 (note: late submissions will not be accepted).  The chosen speaker’s speech will be pre-recorded and broadcast to graduates and attendees during all three commencement ceremonies.

Guest Tickets/Overflow Seating/Livestreaming

Guest tickets will be required for admission into the commencement ceremonies. The number of tickets to be distributed will be determined a few weeks after graduates have confirmed their participation. Overflow seating with livestreaming will be available on campus for guests who wish to participate but do not have a ticket for entrance into the Sangamon Auditorium. In addition, livestreaming will also be available remotely on the UIS Live Webcasts website.

College Breakdown

Listed below is a breakdown by college of all programs at UIS.  Please review the list to determine which ceremony you will be attending.

Friday, May 9 Ceremony - 7 p.m.

College of Health, Science and Technology

Saturday, May 10 Ceremony - 10 a.m.

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

College of Public Affairs and Education

Saturday, May 10 - 3 p.m.

College of Business and Management

Let’s celebrate!

Commencement is an important time to celebrate your well-deserved accomplishment! We hope that if you are eligible, you will choose to participate. If you have any questions about the ceremonies, please visit the “Contacts” page on the Commencement website. Be sure to check the Commencement website frequently for the most up-to-date information.

Sincerely,

UIS Commencement Committee