University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
2008 Commencement Ceremonies
Timeline of Events
April 21 - Last day to place on-line orders for academic attire
May 8, 9, 10 & 11 - Pick up Academic Regalia at the Illini Union
May 10 - Lunch for graduates and their families at Dean Whiteley's home
May 11 - 10:30 a.m. Campuswide Commencement Ceremony
May 11 - 12:30 p.m. Students arrive at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Choral Rehearsal Room
May 11 - 1:30 p.m. College of Veterinary Medicine Convocation Ceremony
May 11 - 3:00 p.m. Reception at the College of Veterinary Medicine
May 10, 11 & 12 - Return Regalia to Illini Union
May 12 - Last day to turn in regalia by 5:00 p.m. without a $5/day late fee; return to Illini Union
Campuswide Commencement
The campuswide Commencement Ceremony will be held Sunday, May 11, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at the Assembly Hall. Please refer to the Commencement Guide to Activities or visit http://www.admin.uiuc.edu/commencement for further information. The Guide will be mailed to each student prior to the first week in April.
Commencement is a beautiful ceremony and includes music performed by the University Symphonic Band and Combined Chorus. Mannie Jackson, University of Illinois alumnus and owner of the Harlem Globetrotters, will deliver the Commencement Address at the campuswide Commencement ceremonies. It is a jubilant but refined atmosphere that you and your families will enjoy and remember. After all, you only get this degree once in a lifetime. Your attendance is also important to the College and the profession that you are joining. The 10,000 people there include consumers of veterinary science, state legislators, and other influential people. Your attendance lets these people know that the profession and the College are alive and well in Illinois.
College Convocation and Reception
The College of Veterinary Medicine Convocation Ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2008 in the Great Hall at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. The ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. when the graduates march into the auditorium, and will last approximately 1.5 hours. Doors to the Great Hall will open at 12:30 p.m. Graduates are required to arrive at 12:30 p.m. to prepare and line-up for the ceremony. Click here to learn more about Krannert Great Hall.
There will be a reception for the graduates and their guests immediately following the College of Veterinary Medicine Convocation ceremony at the College of Veterinary Medicine. This is an opportunity for the graduates to celebrate this joyous occasion with their families and friends.
Ceremony Tickets
Each guest attending the Campuswide Commencement Ceremony will be required to present a ticket at the door for entry into the Assembly Hall. Tickets for Campuswide Commencement are free of charge. There is no limit to the number of tickets you can receive for the Campuswide Commencement Ceremony. Students participating in the ceremony are not required to have a ticket.
The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts now requires that each guest present a ticket at the door for entry into the Great Hall. Tickets will be available free of charge for the College Convocation ceremony. There is no limit to the number of tickets you can receive. Students participating in the ceremony are not required to have tickets.
Photographing and Videotaping the Ceremony
While we have no objections to family and friends photographing and videotaping the College Convocation Ceremony, there have been complaints in the past about people blocking the views of others. As a result, we ask that guests remain seated or stand in one of the designated areas for documenting the ceremony. You will be able to walk to the front of the Great Hall to photograph your child walking across the stage receiving their diploma.
There will be a professional photographer, Chappell Studios, who will photograph each graduate as he or she walks across the stage and also prior to the ceremony. Proofs will be mailed to each graduate who fills out the card provided by the photographer and prints may be purchased through this company.
Parking
During graduation weekend, all university lots (excluding 24-hour rented parking spots) are available for use. However, please realize that multiple ceremonies are being conducted during this weekend and parking will not always be available close to the ceremony. For those needing handicap assistance, please visit http://www.fs.uiuc.edu/DRES/0052.html for drop off and pick up assistance.
Arrangements for Guests with Special Needs
Guests who are unable to climb stairs will need to arrive by 1:00 p.m. to ensure main floor seating. For your guests who have special seating requests (wheelchair, sight or auditory needs, etc.), please call Courtney Egg at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at 217.333.9716 or e-mail her at cegg@uiuc.edu and she will be happy to help with seating arrangements.
Arrival of Graduates for College Convocation
Graduates are required to arrive at 12:30 p.m. in the Choral Rehearsal Room at Krannert to prepare for line up. It is recommended that graduates do not bring excess materials to Krannert prior to the line up. No one will be available to watch belongings once the ceremony begins and the Choral Rehearsal Room will not be locked.
Cap and Gown
Each student is required to wear the proper academic attire in order to participate in one or both ceremonies. Disposable gowns purchased at bookstores are unacceptable.
Caps and gowns can be ordered via the web at http://www.herffjones.com/College/graduation/. When filling out your measurement information be sure to list your college as College of Veterinary Medicine. If you do not do this, the tassel and/or hood you receive will be the wrong color.
Graduates may order academic attire on-line, at http://www.herffjones.com/college/graduation, through April 21. On-line orders must be placed by 11:59 p.m., April 21.
Outside Hooders: You may ask someone outside the college to do your hooding. The only requirement is that they must have an earned doctoral degree, whether it be a DVM, MD, DDS, PhD, JD, or EdD. Outside hooders are assessed a fee of $68 (subject to change) for their regalia, which you pay when picking up the regalia at the Illini Union. The student will need to complete a form and return to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs no later than April 18. More information about the process will be sent out to the students when approved by Campus. All individuals acting as hooders become members of the platform party and must wear the proper regalia.
If you are unsure of your plans but are considering participating in either the campuswide Commencement ceremony or a unit convocation, please order academic attire at http://www.herffjones.com/college/graduation. After placing your order, you will have the opportunity to print a receipt. Please present the receipt when you pick up the apparel. You will not be charged the rental fee if academic attire is not picked up during the distribution period.
Rental fees must be paid in full by check or cash only when you pick up the apparel. Checks should be made payable to Herff Jones. Payment cannot be made in advance.
Master's or Advanced Certificate cap, gown and hood $52.00
Doctor's cap, gown and hood $68.00
Additional tassels may be purchased for $7.00 each when you pick up your apparel. Orange and blue souvenier tassels may be purchased for $7; however, they are not worn during ceremonies.
Where to Pick Up Your Academic Attire
Caps and gowns will be distributed in the Illini Rooms of the Illini Union at the following times:
Thursday, May 8 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 9 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 10 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
Sunday, May 11 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
You should present your receipt when picking up your academic attire.
In no instance will academic attire be mailed to a candidate or graduate. If you cannot pick up your academic attire at one of the scheduled times, you may arrange for someone else to do so; that person should present your receipt and must pay the rental fee. Rental fees must be paid in full by cash or check only. Checks should be made payable to Herff Jones. Academic attire will not be distributed after 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 11.
Where to Return your Academic Attire
Following the campuswide Commencement ceremony and/or unit convocation, you must return your rented mortarboard, gown, and hood. Herff Jones representatives will accept rented academic attire in the Illini Rooms, at the following times:
Saturday, May 10 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 11 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Monday, May 12 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
Graduates who do not return their rented attire by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, are responsible for returning academic attire to the Illini Union Bookstore, May 13-16 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Please note that Herff Jones, Inc. will assess a late charge of $5 per day to all graduates returning rented academic attire after May 12.
Always Illinois
Your connection does not end with Commencement. One easy way to maintain that bond is through Always Illinois, the exclusive online community for Illinois students, alumni, faculty and staff. You'll be able to keep in touch with friends, network with other alumni, and check in with your favorite professor or advisor. Sign up at www.alwaysillinois.org and join teh '08 group from your college! Once a member of the Vet Med family, always a member of the Vet Med family!
Last modified on March 10, 2008 by SR