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.
Updated 3/10/21
Yes. The university is planning to hold modified commencement ceremonies for May 2021 graduates outside and in-person at Huskie Stadium the weekend of June 4-6, 2021. Additional details regarding registration, ceremony times, how to obtain tickets and how to purchase your cap and gown will be distributed soon.
Please make sure you update your personal email in MyNIU and keep checking your student email and this website for the latest updates.
Added 3/10/21
Yes. The university has confirmed the weekend of June 25-27, 2021 for modified, outdoor, in-person commencement ceremonies at Huskie Stadium for Class of 2020 undergraduates and masters students. Doctoral graduates will be invited to the doctoral ceremony on June 4, 2021. Additional details about registration, ceremony times and how to obtain tickets will be distributed soon.
Please continue to monitor this website for updates and update your contact information at MyNIU to ensure you receive communications about commencement.
Updated 3/10/21
It means that while we will offer some speeches and students walking across the stage, the event will be slightly modified to ensure safety procedures are followed including but not limited to no hand shaking, no processional, masks will be required (other than when posing for individual professional socially distanced photos) and there is a strictly enforced limit on guests.
Updated 3/10/21
All events are going to be held rain or shine. Events will be canceled in the event of lightening or extreme weather. The university does not anticipate scheduling a backup date.
Updated 3/10/21
Yes. While we remain hopeful that an increase in vaccinations will continue to reduce the spread of COVID-19, if there is a change in the pandemic and the state mandates that the event will put our graduates and guests at risk, we will plan to cancel/postpone events.
Updated 3/10/21
The university will allow up to two guests per graduate and the event will be ticketed. There will be no modifying of this ticket rule for any reason. The event will be live streamed so that family and friends can watch from anywhere across the world.
Updated 3/10/21
No. While we understand the challenge in providing limited tickets, we hope that all graduates will understand and respect this decision.
Updated 3/10/21
No. Regretfully, to plan for the number of individuals on campus and in the DeKalb community, we will not be flexible with switching between commencement events.
Updated 3/10/21
We determined that June dates would increase the odds of good weather and allow for more individuals to get vaccinated while also providing our graduates ample time to make arrangements.
Updated 3/10/21
No. We heard from our community that the majority of graduates prefer a safe in-person option and will not produce a virtual event.
Updated 3/10/21
Yes, you may come to campus to take photos. Please visit Protecting the Pack for all NIU safety guidelines.
Updated 9/9/20
Updated 3/10/21
Beginning in fall 2020, the university updated their contract for student regalia to become direct ship and charged directly to graduates. This is consistent with the practice of institutions across the state who charge a graduation fee to cover the cost of diploma covers, validating and printing degrees, etc. and either include a fee for regalia or have students pay separately. Regretfully, the current fee has not covered this amount and the university can no longer subsidize the regalia costs.
No. Diplomas will be mailed directly from the vendor. This is estimated to begin in mid-June 2021 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.
Updated 3/10/21