Do I need tickets to attend the commencement ceremony?
Yes! Graduates are allotted a certain number of tickets that are announced after the
deadline to apply for graduation has passed. Graduates are able to pick up tickets
at ticket/cap and gown distribution on the Monday and Tuesday of commencement week.
Graduates can request tickets for Will Call for pick up on commencement day at the
information table.
Where do I find parking?
Parking will be available for graduates and guests in the north lot (J-Lot) outside
O’Brien Field.
Permanant on-campus spaces are designated for persons with disabilities. Additional
spaces will be made available, on commencement day, for special needs parking on the
north side of Grongier Arena for all ceremonies.
Additional parking could be located around campus in various student and staff lots.
How do I know if I am graduating with distinction?
Students graduating with distinction are designated by medallions with corresponding
ribbons of gold, white or blue. Undergraduates must have completed 56 hours at EIU
to be recognized with distinction. Please contact the Office of the Registrar with
any questions regarding distinctions.
Summa Cum Laude – Gold “With Highest Honors” – GPA: 3.90-4.00
Magna Cum Laude – White “With High Honor” – GPA: 3.80-3:89
Cum Laude – Blue “With Honor” – GPA 3.65-3.79
Medallions may be picked up during ticket distribution.
Eastern’s Sandra and Jack Pine Honors College celebrates students who have graduated
with University and/or Departmental Honors. University Honors graduates are distinguished
as either University Honors Laureates (with 26 hours of Honors coursework) or Honors
Scholars (With 15 hours of Honors coursework). Departmental Honors Program graduates
have typically completed a minimum of 12 hours of coursework in a Departmental Honors
Program including a senior thesis. To be recognized Honors graduates must have a GPA
3.5 or higher.
Where do I order my cap and gown?
Cap and gown rentals or custom regalia can be ordered through Herff Jones at https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/_eiu/. Late charges will apply, if ordered after the deadline. Do not order a cap and gown
if you have not applied to graduate through PAWS or submitted the exceptionality form
to participate.
To order your cap and gown, you will need to know the college you are graduating from,
your degree earned, and height, weight and cap size. Instructions on how to find your
cap size are available at https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/_eiu/.
Please contact Patty Storie at PAStorie@herffjones.com with any questions regarding your cap and gown.
How do I receive my cap and gown?
Graduates will have the option to pick up their cap and gown during ticket/cap and
gown distribution on the Monday and Tuesday of commencement week, or graduates can
choose to have their cap and gown shipped to their home address for a shipping fee.
The shipping fee includes a pre-paid return label.
Please contact Patty Storie at PAStorie@herffjones.com with any questions regarding your cap and gown.
Where do I return my cap and gown?
Rented caps and gowns will need to be returned to the Lantz Fieldhouse after the commencement
ceremony. If graduates had their regalia shipped to a home address, it can be returned
using the pre-paid label that came with the initial shipment.
Are caps allowed to be decorated?
Yes. Messages on or attached to any part of the cap must be appropriate, or they will
be asked to be removed.
When do I receive my diploma?
Participation in the commencement ceremony does not mean you have completed your degree
requirements and graduated. Your graduation is not official until your certifying
dean’s office has sent notification of completion of all degree requirements to the
Registrar’s Office and the degree has been posted to your record.
Please make sure your address is updated with the Office of the Registrar to reflect
where you want your diploma sent six weeks after you graduate.
