Dear students, 

Planning is underway for 2022 Commencement Ceremonies! All critical graduation and Commencement information will arrive via your uis.edu email, so check your inbox frequently.

Students who are graduating but not participating in Commencement Ceremonies

If you’re planning to earn a degree in the timeframes listed below under Eligibility, you must notify the Office of Records and Registration of your intent to graduate by completing an online graduation application by Feb. 18.

Commencement Ceremonies

UIS commencement ceremonies are Saturday, May 14, 2022, at the Bank of Springfield Center in downtown Springfield. There will be two ceremonies: the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at 12:30 p.m. and all other colleges at 5:30 p.m.

Eligibility to Participate

Students planning to participate in commencement must indicate their intent to graduate to the Office of Records and Registration by submitting an online graduation application by Feb. 18.

Students can only participate in the commencement ceremony in which they are FIRST eligible (based upon the term for which the student submitted a graduation application). Students cannot participate in more than one ceremony for the same degree program.

Students may be eligible to participate in the upcoming commencement ceremonies if they meet all of the listed guidelines. There will be NO exceptions to the criteria listed below.

• Summer and Fall 2021 Graduates: These graduates are automatically eligible to participate.
• Spring 2022 Candidates: A Spring 2022 graduation application must be on file in the Office of Records and Registration by Feb. 18.
• Summer 2022 Candidates: A Summer 2022 graduation application must be on file in the Office of Records and Registration no later than Feb. 18. In addition, an approved Student Petition Form requesting to participate in the ceremony must also be on file in the Office of Records and Registration by Feb. 18. Generally, a student cannot have any incomplete courses or more than 8 hours (undergraduate) or 4 hours (graduate) still to be taken during the summer term.      
• DPA students: You must be deemed eligible to participate by March 31. Please contact your advisor for additional information.

Participation

The following steps are required to participate in Commencement:

1. Confirm participation by submitting an online intent to participate on the Commencement website March 7- 21. Only those 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). See below for information related to alternative cap and gown arrangements including information for online graduates/those unable to attend Graduate Salute.
2. Purchase a cap and gown during Graduate Salute, sponsored by the UIS Bookstore and Herff Jones. Additional graduation merchandise will be available for purchase including diploma frames and announcements. Order your cap and gown during Graduate Salute to avoid late fees.

Graduate Salute | Location: UIS Bookstore, Public Affairs Center, lower level

• Thursday, March 24, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Friday, March 25, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Saturday, March 26, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Cap and gown prices:

• Bachelor Unit: $40.75 plus tax
• Master Unit & Hood: $74.25 plus tax
• Doctoral Unit & Hood: $90.85 plus tax

Units include cap, gown, and tassel. These items are yours to keep, in addition to master and doctoral hoods.   

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. 

Online Graduates/Those Unable to Attend Graduate Salute:

Purchase your cap and gown when you confirm your participation by submitting an online intent to participate March 7-21.

Ceremony Guest Seating/Special Needs

Tickets will not be required for admission into the ceremonies. Additional information regarding special needs seating will be shared closer to Commencement.

Student Speaker 

The student commencement speaker is an important tradition at UIS. All graduating students are eligible to audition; representatives of the faculty and the student body will select the speaker. The chosen graduate will speak at both ceremonies. Audition information will be provided on the audition application form which will be available in early March on the commencement website.

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. Reach out if you have questions about graduation or commencement: commencement@uis.edu. Also, please verify that your address is correct in Student Self-Service. Check the Commencement website frequently for the most up-to-date information: uis.edu/commencement

Sincerely,

UIS Commencement Committee