Student cheering as she walks across the Commencement stage

How to RSVP and Attend Ceremony

Confirm Your Participation in the Ceremony

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation. If you plan to attend your commencement ceremony, you must submit the online RSVP form by Monday, April 29, 2024.

  1. Please log in using your Z-ID, not an A-ID.
  2. Complete form.
  3. Once you click "submit" you will get a confirmation page. You can take a screenshot of that page as your confirmation. You will not receive a separate confirmation email.
  4. To double-check that you submitted your form, enter your information again. If your form was received, you will get a message that says "already submitted."
  5. If you missed the RSVP, and have purchased your regalia, which is required to participate in the event, please email commencement@niu.edu with the following information:
    • Name
    • ZID
    • Graduating College
    • Degree Type (for example, Bachelor or Masters)
    • Please note, late RSVPs are responded to ASAP, but responses are not immediate as the ceremony preparations are in full swing the weeks prior to the event and responses take 24-48 hrs)

RSVP Form

Guest Tickets

Tickets are required for all the May 2024 ceremonies.

When a graduate submits their RSVP, they will be allotted 10 guest tickets. Guest tickets will be made available after May 8. Tickets will be digital. Visit the FAQ page for detailed instructions on how to access them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Assembly Instructions

Doctoral, Master's, Specialist and Performer's Certificate Candidates Arrival at the Convocation Center

  • Arrive in your regalia. There is no place to change clothing. Your regalia is your entry ticket.
  • Parking attendants will direct graduates and guests to parking, including ADA parking if needed.
  • Please report to the lower level (Victor E. Court gym).
  • No food or beverages. No bags or purses larger than 6-by-8-inches unless they are clear. It is not recommended that you carry your bag through the ceremony unless you have medical needs.
  • Don't leave anything in the gym as you will not return there after the ceremony.

Guests' Arrival at the Convocation Center

  • Tickets are required. Students can keep all the guest tickets on their device and escort and scan all the guests when they arrive as opposed to transferring tickets to multiple devices.
    It is recommended that you download your tickets before you arrive.
    A guest ticket can only be used one time. Once a ticket has been digitally scanned, it then becomes unusable. There is no re-entry.
    Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please arrive early to allow time to park, get through security, and get seated.
  • Parking attendants will direct graduates and guests to parking, including ADA parking if needed.
  • No food or beverages.
  • No bags or purses larger than 6-by-8-inches unless they are clear (policy strictly enforced).
  • Diaper bags — it is suggested that you transfer what you need into a clear bag.
  • Guests in wheelchairs or with other accessibility needs will get directions to the ADA sections. One guest will be able to sit with that person.
  • Guests are not allowed on the arena floor.

Candidate Instructions

  • Doors open at 3 p.m. for check-in; all candidates must arrive by 3:30 p.m. Late arrivals will not be allowed to participate. Please be on time so that you, your family and your friends will not be disappointed.
  • Doctoral candidates will pick up name cards at our check-in table in the multipurpose room. Do not lose this card. You will hand this card to the reader before you march across the stage. Candidates will line up by degree. Staff will be on hand to direct you to the appropriate line.
  • Master's degree students will pick up name cards at our check-in table in the gym. Do not lose this card. You will hand this card to the reader before you march across the stage. Candidates will line up by college then degree. Staff will be on hand to direct you to the appropriate line.
  • Processional — When the processional starts, the platform party will go first, followed by our faculty. Students will follow and process up the center aisle in two lines. From the center aisle, marchers on the right will access their row and sit on their right side. Marchers on the left will access their row and sit on their left side. Both lines will be seated per instructions from our faculty marshals. Please do not skip chairs in your row.
  • Doctoral candidates will be recognized first. Faculty marshals will direct candidates to the stage. Hand your card to the reader then move to the “X” on the stage and face the audience. Your name and the name of your hooding professor will be read as you are hooded. Proceed across the stage to receive your diploma cover. Continue across the stage, down the ramp on the opposite side, to the photo area in front of the stage and back to your same seat via the center aisle.
  • All other degree and Performer's Certificate recipients will be presented next. Faculty marshals will direct candidates to rise, one row at a time, and proceed to the stage. There will only be one line approaching the stage. Present your name card to the reader then proceed to the center of the stage to receive your diploma cover. Continue across the stage, down the ramp on the opposite side, to the photo area in front of the stage and back to your same seat via the center aisle.

Pictures

Arrangements have been made for professional photographs to be taken of each graduate. A proof of your picture will be available to view online at Grad Images a few weeks after the ceremony.

Recessional

To avoid large crowds in tight lobby spaces, our faculty marshals will lead you out of the arena to exit all the way outside. Please ask your guests to meet you outside or at your cars.

Student arrival at the Convocation Center

  • Arrive in your There is no place to change clothing. Your regalia is your entry ticket.
  • Parking attendants will direct graduates and guests to parking, including ADA parking if needed.
  • Please report to the lower level (Victor Court gym).
  • No food or No bags or purses larger than 6-by-8-inches unless they are clear. It is not recommended that you carry your bag through the ceremony unless you have medical needs.
  • Don’t leave anything in the gym as you will not return there after the ceremony.

Guest Arrival at the Convocation Center

  • Tickets are required. Students can keep all the guest tickets on their device and escort and scan all the guests when they arrive as opposed to transferring tickets to multiple devices.
    It is recommended that you download your tickets before you arrive.
    A guest ticket can only be used one time. Once a ticket has been digitally scanned, it then becomes unusable. There is no re-entry.
    Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please arrive early to allow time to park, get through security, and get seated.
  • Parking attendants will direct graduates and guests to parking, including ADA parking if needed.
  • No bags or purses larger than 6-by-8-inches unless they are clear. Policy strictly enforced.
  • Guests in wheelchairs or with other accessibility needs will get directions to the ADA sections. One guest will be able to sit with that person.
  • Guests are not allowed on the arena floor.

Candidate Instructions

  • Name card — pick up your name card at our check-in table in the Do not lose this card. You will hand this card to the reader before you march across the stage.
  • Marching column — please line up behind your college per instruction on the card.
  • Processional — At 9:45 a.m., you should be lined up for the processional. The processional starts promptly at 10 a.m. with the platform party and the marching faculty making up the first two groups. Both columns will be seated per instructions from our faculty marshals. Please do not skip chairs or rows.

Ceremony/Walking Across the Stage

  • You will rise, one row at a time, and approach the stage as directed by our faculty You will proceed to the stage in two lines: one from the right, one from the left.
  • Bring your name card.
  • Hand your name card to the reader, then approach the president or dean to accept your diploma cover with both hands.
  • Proceed to the stairs off the front of the stage for your formal
  • Return to your seat.

Pictures

Arrangements have been made for professional photographs to be taken of each graduate. A proof of your picture will be available to view online at Grad Images a few weeks after the ceremony.

Recessional

To avoid large crowds in tight lobby spaces, our faculty marshals will lead you out of the arena to exit all the way outside. Please ask your guests to meet you outside or at your cars.

Student Arrival at the Convocation Center

  • Arrive in your There is no place to change clothing. Your regalia is your entry ticket.
  • Parking attendants will direct graduates and guests to parking, including ADA parking if needed.
  • Please report to the lower level (Victor Court gym).
  • No food or No bags or purses larger than 6-by-8-inches unless they are clear. It is not recommended that you carry your bag through the ceremony unless you have medical needs.
  • Don’t leave anything in the gym as you will not return there after the ceremony.

Guest Arrival at the Convocation Center

  • Tickets are required. Students can keep all the guest tickets on their device and escort and scan all the guests when they arrive as opposed to transferring tickets to multiple devices.
    It is recommended that you download your tickets before you arrive.
    A guest ticket can only be used one time. Once a ticket has been digitally scanned, it then becomes unusable. There is no re-entry.
    Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please arrive early to allow time to park, get through security, and get seated.
  • Parking attendants will direct graduates and guests to parking, including ADA parking if needed.
  • No bags or purses larger than 6-by-8-inches unless they are clear. Policy strictly enforced.
  • Diaper bags — it is suggested that you transfer what you need into a clear bag.
  • Guests in wheelchairs or with other accessibility needs will get directions to the ADA sections. One guest will be able to sit with that person.
  • Guests are not allowed on the arena floor.

Candidate Instructions

  • Name card — pick up your name card at our check-in table in the Do not lose this card. You will hand this card to the reader before you march across the stage.
  • Marching column — please line up behind your college per instruction on the card.
  • Processional — At 1:45 m., you should be lined up for the processional. The processional starts promptly at 2 p.m. with the platform party and the marching faculty making up the first two groups. Both columns will be seated per instructions from our faculty marshals. Please do not skip chairs or rows.

Ceremony/Walking Across the Stage

  • You will rise, one row at a time, and approach the stage as directed by our faculty You will proceed in two lines: one from the right, one from the left.
  • Bring your name
  • Hand your name card to the reader, then approach the president or dean to accept your diploma cover with both hands.
  • Proceed to the stairs off the front of the stage for your formal
  • Return to your seat.

Pictures

Arrangements have been made for professional photographs to be taken of each graduate. A proof of your picture will be available to view online at Grad Images a few weeks after the ceremony.

Recessional

To avoid large crowds in tight lobby spaces, our faculty marshals will lead you out of the arena to exit all the way outside. Please ask your guests to meet you outside or at your cars.

Special Ceremonies

In addition to the university commencement celebration, there are special graduation celebrations that honor the many different communities, cultures, traditions, involvement and achievements of our graduating students. Learn more about the special ceremonies and how to participate.

Contact Us

Convocation Center
1525 West Lincoln Highway
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-752-6800
commencement@niu.edu
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