Frequently Asked Questions

Masks are recommended for the Commencement ceremonies at the Convocation Center.

Guests are not required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, nor negative COVID-19 test results to attend NIU Commencement Ceremonies.

Updated 5/10/22

In the event that the State of Illinois imposes increased COVID-19 restrictions, the ceremonies might postponed or cancelled. Graduates will then be invited to a future ceremony date.

Food Policy

• No outside food or drink.
• Exception: An unopened bottle of water (20 oz. or less) will be allowed.

Bag Policy

No large bags are allowed in the stadium for graduates or guests.
Guide to permitted and prohibited bags (PDF).

Approved bags:

• One clear plastic bag
  • 12" x 12" x 6" clear plastic stadium bag
  • One (1) gallon clear plastic storage bag
    - OR - 
• One clutch purse
  4.5" x 6.5" or smaller

Prohibited bags:

• Backpack
• Purse
• Camera bag
• Binoculars case
• Fanny pack
• Printed pattern plastic bag

No strollers are allowed.

Updated 3/3/22

The university will allow up to 10 guests per graduate and the event will be ticketed. All guests two (2) years or older require a ticket for admission. 

If you have guests that are not accommodated by the number of tickets provided, but still want to be on campus to meet up with you and celebrate your accomplishments, we have an overflow option to watch the ceremony live on campus. Please feel free to have your additional guests go the Holmes Student Center, Carl Sandberg Auditorium. Please refer to the parking map and park in the Visitor Lot (no charge on weekends) or the Campus Life lot (no ticketing on weekends in non-reserved spaces).

The event will also be live-streamed so that family and friends can watch from anywhere across the world. 

Updated 5/12/22

You must submit your RSVP by April 24 to be eligible for student and guest tickets. Your ten (10) guest e-tickets will be made available by Thursday the week of the ceremony. E-tickets are accessible in your MY HUSKIES Account with Ticketmaster via your student account (you must use your ZID@students.niu.edu to access).

• Click “Forgot Password” if this is your first time using your My Huskies account or you forgot your password.
• Click “Manage My Tickets.”

Transfer your tickets to your guests by clicking “Manage My Tickets” and entering each guests’ email address. Your guest/s will receive an email to claim their e-ticket and download the QR code to their phone.

Have your guests save their ticket QR code to their phone prior to arriving.

Updated 5/9/22

Please send their ticket to another guest from your party who can show both tickets upon entry.

If your guests are all arriving with you, you can leave all the tickets on your phone and scan them all at once.

Yes, you will need a student ticket. This does not count toward your 10 guest tickets. You must submit your RSVP by April 24 to be eligible for student and guest tickets. Your ticket will be added to your My Huskies account the week of the ceremony.

Updated 3/3/22

For your name to appear in the commencement ceremony program, you will need to apply to graduate according to the deadline set by Registration and Records.

Please note, your name will not appear at all if you have a FERPA hold (which forbids the university from releasing your name in any public context) set up in your MyNIU privacy settings. You will need to request a FERPA change before graduate application deadlines.

No. Diplomas will be mailed directly from the vendor. This is estimated to begin in mid-July 2022 for students who have met all their graduation requirements.  Further, please note that you must clear any monetary or other obligations to the university to receive your diploma. You can check diploma status after 6-8 weeks.