Commencement

Not being in good financial or academic standing with the University prevents students from participating in Commencement. You must be in good financial standing before receiving your cap and gown and be enrolled in an academic program that will be completed by the end of the summer term (if necessary to fulfill degree requirements).

The University’s policy is to allow students who hold a balance on their account to walk in the Commencement Ceremony. However, a diploma will only be mailed out to students who have a zero balance on their student account.

No, there is no practice ceremony.

Tickets will be distributed for the undergraduate Commencement ceremony on the Lisle campus. We kindly ask that each graduate limit their number of guests to a maximum of 5.

**Note: additional guests can be accommodated with overflow seating in the Goodwin Auditorium where the Ceremony will be livestreamed.**

There are no ticket limits for the ceremony in Mesa nor for the graduate ceremony on the Lisle campus.

Yes. For the safety of all guests, and in compliance with Illinois fire codes and village ordinances, every individual entering the Rice Center, including children of all ages and infants, must have a ticket.

This policy ensures that we do not exceed the building’s legal occupancy limit. Even young children and infants count toward that number, as fire codes regulate the total number of people in a space regardless of age or whether they sit on a lap.

Please plan accordingly.

Lisle Campus
Upon arrival at the main entrance of campus, guests requiring handicap accessibility should show their handicap hang tag to Campus Safety. Those guests will be directed to handicap parking immediately adjacent to the Rice Center entrance.

Greeters will direct guests requiring handicap accessibility to the arena entrance, and ushers inside will assure that guests are situated comfortably in the designated handicap seating area on the arena floor.

Mesa Campus
TBD

Yes, you can walk in Lisle if you have attended Mesa or vice versa. We are one University and as such, it is your choice where you would like to receive your diploma. You will need to register to participate in the Commencement Events of the campus that you want just to keep us organized and ready for you!

Yes, we will livestream the ceremony. Links can be found here:

Lisle Undergraduate Livestream Link

Lisle Graduate Livestream Link

Mesa Livestream Link

Yes. Click HERE for details on ordering personalized invitations and announcements from Herff-Jones.

Students requesting that directory information not be released will not be listed in the Commencement program. Graduates who applied after the application deadline may not be listed. Graduates who changed their graduation status (completion date, etc.) are excluded.

ALLOWED/PROHIBITED ITEMS

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and patience as we strive to ensure minimal disruption or delays. Personal property and privacy will be respected at all times.

ALLOWED ITEMS

• Binoculars
• Cameras
• Cell phones
• Cinch sack/drawstring bag
• Diaper bag (when a child is present)
• Pocketbooks and purses (clear bags are NOT required)
• Seat cushions
• Stadium chairs or seat backs
• Strollers
• Water bottles (unopened/sealed), two per person, less than 20 oz. size.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Alcohol
• Artificial noise makers
• Backpacks, duffel bags, or tote bags
• Camera Tripods
• Cans, glass bottles, insulated tumblers, mugs
• Coolers
• Drones or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS): Any use of UAS on campus is strictly prohibited.
• Explosives or fireworks
• Food or beverage (Food is allowed as a medical necessity with proof.)
• Large containers or coolers
• Open bottles of any kind or other drinking containers
• Selfie Sticks
• Signs, banners, balloons or flags
• Smoking, tobacco, or e-Cigarettes
• Tailgating
• The throwing of any object at any time
• Weapons of any kind
• Any other items deemed dangerous or inappropriate

THE INFORMATION ABOVE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.