Graduate Arrival Instructions

Friday, May 29, 2026 8:30 a.m.

Credit Union 1 Arena
525 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, IL 60607

Graduates should arrive at Credit Union 1 Arena, 525 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, Illinois, at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026. Any graduate who is not checked in and in line by 9:30 a.m. may not sit with their class. Keep in mind the check-in process can take up to 45 minutes. Graduates will all meet in the parking garage on Harrison Street just East of the Credit Union 1 Arena.

As part of its normal safety protocol, Credit Union 1 Arena requires all who enter the facility to go through metal detectors and has limits on bags allowed at entry.

Please note: Balloons, signs, banners, and flags are not allowed inside Credit Union 1 Arena.

Construction Notice

Expect travel delays into downtown Chicago due to significant road construction. Please allow ample travel time if you are driving downtown — as significant delays are expected — or consider utilizing public transportation.

Bring With You

• Regalia (gown, hat, hood and tassel)
• Your line-up color and number (emailed to you the week of May 25, 2026)
• Honor cords and stoles (if you have them)
• Personal items: We suggest that you give personal items that do not fit in your pockets under your gown to one of your guests prior to entering the parking garage. There will not be a secure place for you to store these items during the ceremony, and graduates will not be allowed to carry items into the ceremony.

Special note: Use the restroom prior to arrival. You will have limited access to restrooms between 8:30–10 a.m., when the ceremony begins. You will have access to the restroom during the ceremony, if needed.

Diploma Information

For graduates attending Commencement, diplomas will be distributed to you at the Commencement ceremony if your degree requirements are completed and all grades have been finalized. If your diploma is not available due to incomplete requirements or grades, diplomas will be mailed to you at the diploma address you indicated on your Graduation Application in Self-Service. All diplomas are 11"x14" in size.