Information Regarding Graduation and Commencement Ceremonies
The following information explains the process of determining eligibility to graduate, declaring intent to graduate, registering for and participating in graduation and commencement ceremonies and information about how and when you will receive your diploma.
May 2022 Graduation Information
Are you a December '21, May '22 or August '22 graduate?
See the To Do Checklist
University-wide Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.
Memorial Stadium
The university-wide Commencement ceremony is the official University of Illinois academic ceremony at which the Chancellor presides and the President confers degrees.
Doctoral degree candidates are invited to attend but will not be hooded at the event; Doctoral, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Professional (J.D., D.V.M., and M.D.) degree recipients stand as a group at their seats and are recognized by the college. This is a dignified ceremony that lasts about two hours. Academic attire is required. This ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. at Memorial Stadium.
Sociology Unit Convocation Saturday, May 14th 5:30 - 7:00PM
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Colwell Playhouse
Register Here
You must register by April 21, 2022, to participate in this convocation and receive tickets. Every guest, including infants and toddlers, will need a ticket. Graduates do not need tickets. Seating is limited in Colwell Playhouse. Students should plan on receiving 4 tickets. Students with large families should consider the All-Campus Commencement event, Saturday, May 14, 9:30 am at Memorial Stadium.
When you complete the registration form, you will receive a confirmation number—you need that number to pick up your tickets.
Cap and Gown
All graduates and degree candidates participating in commencement ceremonies are required to wear appropriate academic attire. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduates wear custom regalia designed specifically for the campus. Academic attire consists of a blue mortarboard, blue gown and, in the case of a graduate degree, a hood. Please order/rent your academic regalia by using the on-line Herff-Jones website.
Photographs
Three photographs will be taken during the ceremony by GradImages.
Sign Language Interpreter
Candidates for graduation or guests who require a sign language interpreter should notify our office by April 1, so that we may make arrangements.
Special Accommodations
Contact Patron Services Director at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at least one (1) week prior to the ceremony. Please be prepared to provide the following information: which commencement you are attending, specific accessibility need(s), how many people there are in the party, and a contact person in the party. When you arrive, you will need to indicate that you have a reservation under this name. An advanced reservation is the ONLY way your entire party will able to be seated together in our accessible seating areas. Any unclaimed reservations will be forfeited two (2) minutes before the ceremony begins.
Additional Questions
Questions about the Sociology Department activities for Convocation? Please feel free to e-mail Rebecca Riley rriley@illinois.edu.
Convocation Ceremonies
Convocation ceremonies are typically sponsored by a college, school, or department. At most convocations, undergraduate and graduate students are individually recognized, which is not possible at the larger university-wide Commencement ceremony. A full listing of ceremonies can be found on the Unit Convocation Ceremonies page.
The main difference between a convocation and the university-wide Commencement ceremony is that degrees are not conferred at a convocation, and are usually hosted by either the dean or department head. Convocations are designed to complement the university-wide Commencement ceremony and are scheduled to avoid any conflict with the university-wide Commencement ceremony.