Convocation and Reception

The School of Architecture Convocation Ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 11 in the Foellinger Auditorium. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m., when the graduates march into the auditorium, and will last approximately 1½ hours. Doors to Foellinger Auditorium will open at 9:00 a.m. Graduates are required to arrive at the Foreign Languages Building at 8:30 a.m. to prepare and to line-up for the ceremony. Here is a link to more information about Foellinger Auditorium: http://www.foellinger.uiuc.edu/
The campuswide Commencement Ceremony will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Assembly Hall. Please refer to the Commencement Guide to Activities or visit http://www.uiuc.edu/commencement for further information. The guide will be mailed to each student in mid March.
There will be a reception for the graduates and their guests immediately following the School of Architecture Convocation ceremony in the atrium of Temple Hoyne Buell Hall. This is an opportunity for the graduates to celebrate the occasion with their families and friends. Beverages and cookies will be provided for everyone. A catered lunch will be made available to those who purchased tickets in advance.

Ceremony Tickets

Each guest attending the Architecture Convocation Ceremony will be required to present a ticket at the door for entry into Foellinger Auditorium. Tickets for Convocation are free of charge. Each graduate will initially be allowed to request up to six tickets. Please only request the number of tickets you will need. In past years, the School has been able to honor additional ticket requests.
Tickets will be available for pick up by the student beginning April 21, 2008. Students participating in the ceremony are not required to have a ticket.

Lunch/Reception

It can be difficult to eat at local establishments during commencement weekend without prior reservations. For the past several years, the Convocation Committee has provided a catered lunch at the reception, for those who purchase tickets in advance. Parents/Guardians will be mailed a letter in March with details about convocation as well as an order form for lunches. There is no limit on the number of lunches purchased, but the lunches must be ordered ahead of the event. Parents/Guardians are reminded to purchase a lunch for their graduate. The following gourmet lunches, catered by Classic Events, will be served this year: (1) Turkey Sandwich, (2) Roast Beef Sandwich, (3) Veggie Sandwich (sundried tomato cream cheese, grilled & roasted veggies, tomato, cucumber & red onion), (4) Sesame Chicken Salad (assorted greens with seasonal veggies and fruit), (5) All Salad Entree(mixed greens, seasonal veggies, fresh fruit). Each lunch includes generous portions of entrée, fresh fruit salad, two cookies, a mint candy, and a drink of your choice. Sandwich entrees include lettuce, tomato and cheese.
THE DEADLINE FOR ORDERING CONVOCATION TICKETS AND BOX LUNCHES IS APRIL 11TH.

Photographing and Videotaping the Ceremony

While we have no objections to family and friends photographing and videotaping the Convocation Ceremony, there have been complaints in the past about people blocking the views of others. In addition, there have been instances in which relatives have obstructed the line of graduates as they walk onto the stage and return to their seats. As a result, we ask that guests either remain seated or stand in one of the designated areas for documenting the ceremony. There is no power available for cameras in the auditorium.
There will be a professional photographer who will photograph each graduate as he or she walks across the stage and also prior to the ceremony outside on the Quad. 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 the 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, a driveway located directly east of Foellinger Auditorium can be used to drop off and pick up persons. Please note that this is not a parking area. There is also a special commencement shuttle available on Sunday. Here is a link to a campus map: http://www.uiuc.edu/ricker/CampusMap.

Arrangements for Guests with Special Needs

Guests who are unable to climb stairs will need to arrive by 9:00 a.m. to ensure main floor seating. For your guests who have special seating requests (wheelchair, sight or auditory needs, etc.), please call Phil Strang, Foellinger Auditorium Manager, at 217-244-0480, and he will be happy to help with any seating arrangements. Be prepared to give him the ceremony you are attending, type of need, and the total number of guests in your party.

Arrival of Graduates

Graduates are required to arrive at 8:30 a.m. at the Foreign Languages Building in order to prepare and line up for the Architecture ceremony. It is recommended that graduates do not bring excess materials to the Foreign Languages Building prior to lining up. This includes cosmetics, hair products, hangers, change of clothes, cameras, etc. No one will be available to watch belongings once the ceremony begins and the Foreign Languages Building will not be locked.

Cap and Gown

To Order: 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 (and hoods for M.Arch and Ph.D candidates) 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 Fine and Applied Arts - (FAA) - Architecture. If you do not do this, the tassel and/or hood you will receive will be the wrong color. The tassel color for all students receiving the Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Studies is violet.
The last day to order academic regalia is April 21, 2008. A late fee of $20.00 will be charged by Herff-Jones to all who order after that date.
To Pick Up: Cap and gown distribution will be at 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 noon
Sunday, May 11 - 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Students are encouraged to pick up regalia at the earliest time possible. Any student who thinks he/she might participate is urged to order regalia. There is no charge for attire that is not picked up during distribution.
To Return: Rented academic attire must be returned following the Convocation/Commencement ceremonies. Herff-Jones representatives will accept returned attire in the Illini Union at the following times:
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 the attire the Illini Union Bookstore on Tuesday, May 13 through Friday, May 16. Herff Jones will assess a late charge of $5.00 per day to all who return attire after May 12.

Timeline of Events

April 11 last day to order convocation tickets
April 11 last day to order convocation lunches ( optional )
Parents to send in ticket and lunch order form

Week of April 21 12:00 p.m. pick up convocation tickets - lobby of Architecture Building
April 21 last day to order caps and gowns
May 8/9/10 pick up academic regalia at the Illini Union
May 11 8:30 a.m. students arrive at Foreign Languages Building
May 11 10:00 a.m. convocation ceremony
May 11 11:30 a.m. reception - atrium - Temple Hoyne Buell Hall
May 11 2:00 p.m. campuswide commencement - Assembly Hall
May 11/12 return regalia to the Illini Union