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Graduate School Commencement
Provost’s Invitation
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation. I am pleased to invite you to attend the spring commencement ceremony for all
graduate degree recipients. The ceremony, which is planned for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 8, will be held in the Northern Illinois
University Convocation Center.
The information below describes where and when you must arrive and provides other instructions that you must
follow in order to participate in the ceremony.
I hope you will be able to join us on May 8. With my many NIU colleagues, I look forward to honoring
you and your achievements as a student here at NIU.
Lisa Freeman, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost
Check List
Use the following check list to plan your participation in the
commencement ceremony.
Go to go.niu.edu/grad-confirm to accept your invitation to participate
You must RSVP before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20.
Pick up guest tickets between Monday, April 20 and Friday, April 24 at the
Convocation Center ticket office. Hours of operation that week are
9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Graduates are limited to receiving 15 guest tickets. If
you are unable to go to the Convocation Center that week, please visit
go.niu.edu/grad-tickets for further instructions.
Pick up your cap and gown at the Convocation Center. Regalia will be
available on Thursday, May 7 from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 pm and Friday,
May 8 from 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Enter the Convocation Center at
Entrance 2 near parking lot C2. Regalia may be picked up on the day of
the ceremony starting at 5:00 p.m.
On May 8, arrive inside the Convocation Center by 5:30 p.m. Master’s,
Educational Specialist and Performer’s Certificate candidates
assemble in the Victor E. Court on the basement level. Doctoral
degree candidates assemble in the Media Room on
the basement level.
Arrive in the Media Room or Victor E. Court with your cap,
gown, and hood. Leave all other personal items with a guest, as
graduates are not allowed to store or to retrieve items
in the assembly areas.
Commencement FAQs
Detailed information about commencement can be found at niuconvo.com/convo/commencement/grad/faq.shtml.
Guests and Guest Tickets
Is there a limit to the number of guests I may invite to the ceremonies?
Yes. Each graduation candidate may receive 15 guest tickets.
All tickets are general admission seating.
How do I reserve guest tickets?
If you complete the online reply before 4:00 p.m. on
April 20, you may pick up as many as 15 guest tickets.
Do I have to pick up tickets for my guests?
Yes. You can pick up your guest tickets at the Convocation Center Ticket
Office (Entrance 2, near parking lot C2) on Monday, April 20 through
Friday, April 24, 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. You must present a photo ID.
You may also have a friend pick up your guest tickets on these dates,
provided they bring a copy of your ID and a signed note giving them
permission to pick up your tickets; also make sure they know which
degree you will receive (for example, Master of Arts or Master of Science)
What if am unable to pick up my guest tickets on those dates?
You can e-mail [email protected] to request your tickets be held
at the Convocation Center Ticket Office. In your e-mail, please indicate
that you are participating in the ceremony for graduate students and
include your name, degree (for example, MBA) and requested number of
guest tickets (up to 15). E-mails must be received by 4:00 p.m. on April 24.
Ticket office hours after April 24 are M–F, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Reserved
tickets can be picked up the day of the ceremony.
Northern Illinois University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. www.niu.edu G153 3/15
Caps, Gowns, Hoods, Tassels
Do I have to order my cap, gown, and hood
in advance to get the right size?
No. You will be asked your height when you pick up
your cap and gown. Caps are one-size-fits-all.
Do I have to pay for my cap and gown?
No. The graduation fee covers the rental cost for caps, gowns, and hoods.
How long will it take me to pick up my cap, gown, and hood?
It usually takes only 10 to 15 minutes.
Can a friend pick up my cap, gown, and hood, if I’m unable to do so?
Yes. Please make sure your friend knows your
height and has a copy of your photo ID.
Other FAQs
My family can’t attend the ceremony, but would
like to watch. How can they do that?
The ceremonies will be streamed live on the internet. One week
before commencement, details will be posted at media.niu.edu.
Have arrangements been made for persons with disabilities?
Yes. The Convocation Center is committed to making events
accessible to all of our guests. We offer a number of services to
aid our guests with special needs, including ushering, easy-access
seating, and first aid. Screens with closed captioning are also utilized
to allow our hearing-impaired guests to enjoy the ceremony.
niuconvo.com/convo/commencement/grad/disabilities.shtml
Additional Information
Photographs
The university has arranged for professional photographs to be
taken during the commencement ceremonies as each student
receives a diploma cover. To assure that all graduates, their
families, and friends may enjoy and view the ceremony, we ask that
guests are considerate of one another when taking photographs.
niuconvo.com/convo/commencement/grad/photos.shtml
Cancellation
In the event of severe weather, information about possible
cancellation of commencement ceremonies will be available
via the NIU website, the NIU Weather Hotline (815-753-6736),
and local/regional TV and radio. You may also call NIU Campus
Information (815-753-1000) or visit niu.edu/weather.
If cancellation is necessary, the commencement
ceremony will not be rescheduled.
For information about commencement, visit the
Convocation Center website at niuconvo.com/convo.
The Convocation Center does not allow helium
balloons to be brought into the building.
Parking Map
Commencement
parking
C3
Do I get to keep my tassel?
Yes, but you will be required to turn in your cap,
gown, and hood after the ceremony.
Entrances accessible
to the handicapped
The Ceremony
C4
Does attending commencement guarantee that I graduate?
No. All of your academic requirements must be complete
and all necessary paperwork must be on file by the
deadline date before you actually graduate.
Will my name be read at the commencement ceremony?
Yes. Your name will be read when you cross the
stage to receive your diploma cover.
NIU
Convocation
Center
C1
C2
Will I get my diploma at commencement?
No. You will receive your diploma cover at the ceremony.
Your diploma will be mailed to your permanent
address in eight weeks after the ceremony.
How long will the ceremony last?
Typically, ceremonies last between 90 and 120 minutes.
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