General Information and Schedules
The 2011-2012 IIT Commencement will be held at 10 am on Saturday, May 12, 2012.
Congratulations to our IIT graduates! We look forward to celebrating this milestone occasion with you and your families.
Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012
Time: 10 am
Location: Main Campus, Stuart Field, 31st and Federal Streets (between State Street and the Dan Ryan Expressway)
IIT Commencement will consist of separate celebratory events: an Opening Ceremony and Academic Unit Ceremonies
Opening Ceremony
All bachelor’s, graduate, and Ph.D. students will attend the Opening Ceremony. This is an outdoor event; please dress appropriately for the weather. Gates will open at 8 am for guest seating at the Opening Ceremony. Guests need to be seated no later than 9:15 am.
Academic Unit Ceremonies
Students will attend separate events based on college or academic unit affiliation. Location details will be forthcoming.
Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony
The Friday evening before the main Commencement ceremony, students graduating with their Ph.D. are invited to a special event where they receive their doctoral hoods.
Additional Information
Learn more about regalia and attire.
Shuttle Service
Shuttle service begins at 7:30 am and will run throughout campus until 3:30 pm. The first shuttle service route includes U.S. Cellular Field (White Sox) parking lot to Stuart Field (7:30 – 9:30 am). Shuttle service resumes at 11:30 am from U.S. Cellular Field (White Sox) parking lot to the main campus shuttle stops, including academic unit ceremonies being held at alternate locations. Drop off and pick up locations will be marked with signage on campus and in the Opening Ceremony program.
Parking
All on-campus parking lots will be available for parking. IIT guests also will have access to the U.S. Cellular Field (White Sox) parking lot.
Seating Arrangements
Please make sure all guests have their tickets prior to the Commencement ceremonies. Anyone without a ticket will not be allowed to enter either of the ceremonies. The Opening Ceremony will last approximately 1.5 hours with no intermission. Please advise your guests accordingly and have them dress appropriately for this outdoor event.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early. Gates for the Opening Ceremony will open at Stuart Field at 8 am for guest seating. All guests need to be seated no later than 9:15 am. All seats are made available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests arriving after 9:15 am will not be allowed to enter the Opening Ceremony until after the procession and the singing of The Star Spangled Banner.
Guests with special seating needs should bring their own wheelchairs and walkers. Guests should approach ceremony ushers about the special seating area. One companion may accompany guests requiring special seating. Please contact commencement@iit.edu if you require special arrangements for the ceremonies.
Photographs and Videotaping
Please feel free to bring your cameras to take photos after the academic unit ceremonies. Guests will not be allowed to leave their seats to photograph or videotape the graduates during the ceremony. The aisles need to remain clear at all times, and especially during the processional, ceremony and recessional. No freestanding equipment will be allowed. There will be unlimited opportunities for personal photographs after the academic unit ceremonies.
Flower and Balloons
Flowers will be allowed in the Commencement ceremony locations, however, please refrain from presenting/accepting flowers during any ceremony. Balloons will not be allowed in any Commencement location.