Happy Grads at Ceremony.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there rehearsals?
No rehearsals are held for any Commencement activities.
Where do I purchase my Cap & Gown and Announcements?
The University Bookstore is the sole source provider of officially licensed Western Illinois University graduation regalia. To ensure you receive the correct Western Illinois University commencement wear, please order your caps and gowns from the University Bookstore only, http://www.wiu.com/bookstore/gradinfo.asp.

The University Union Bookstore and Document and Publication Services (DPS) offer two different styles of graduation announcements. See their respective websites for more information.
Is there a dress code?
You must wear the appropriate cap and gown (view a video on properly wearing your cap and gown). Signs or slogans on top of the cap are not permitted and will be removed. Undergraduates wear tassels on the right side, graduates wear tassels on the left side.
Cords and stoles are permitted to be worn by members of:
  • Alpha Phi Sigma
  • Alpha Sigma Lambda
  • Alpha Zeta
  • Beta Alpha Psi
  • Blue Key National Honor Society
  • Delta Psi
  • Golden Key International Honour Society
  • Iota Iota Iota
  • Kappa Delta Pi
  • Kappa Omicron Nu
  • Kappa Pi
  • Kappa Sigma
  • Lambda Pi Eta
  • Mortar Board
  • Phi Alpha Theta
  • Phi Epsilon Sigma
  • Phi Kappa Phi
  • Psi Chi
  • Sigma Iota Epsilon
  • Upsilon Pi Epsilon
Other discipline-specific honors organizations that would like to be added to this list and have a GPA threshold at or above a 3.000 should send the name of the organization, its unit affiliation, and the GPA threshold required to be a member of the organization to commencement@wiu.edu.
Do I need tickets for the ceremony?
No tickets needed, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open 1 ½ hours before the ceremony in Macomb. Saving seats is not permitted.
Where is the ceremony?
Academic Honors convocation, graduate and undergraduate ceremonies are in Western Hall.
ROTC commissioning is the University Union Heritage Rooms.
Which ceremony am I in?
You march in the ceremony for your major. View list of majors by ceremony.
Where do I park?
Q-lot, on the east side of Western Hall is available for public parking. Handicapped-accessible parking spaces at the Macomb ceremony are available to the east and west of Western Hall.
What do I wear to recognize honors?
Medallions will be awarded at the Academic Honors Convocation to students who graduate with Academic Distinction (cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude). For more information about the Academic Honors Convocation, please contact the Centennial Honors College, (309) 298-2228.
When will I receive my diploma?
Diplomas are mailed approximately 6-8 weeks after commencement.
What if my name or address has changed since submitting my graduation application?
Please contact the Graduation Department in the Office of the Registrar at (309) 298-1891 to make changes.
Where do I store personal belongings during Commencement?
Please do not bring extra belongings, there isn’t storage available during the ceremony.
How do I order photos or a DVD of the ceremony?
Contact Visual Production Center, (309) 298-1358, VPC@wiu.edu.
Is my name listed in the commencement program?
Graduation applications must be on file in the Office of the Registrar by October 23, 2009 in order to meet printing deadlines. Students who have invoked the Privacy Act will not be listed in the program or have their names released to local media.
What if my guests or I need disability seating/assistance?
Families and guests may contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 298-1977.
Students may contact Disability Support Services at (309) 298-2512.
When will the listing of graduates be in my hometown newspaper?
Once the list has been processed, it is submitted to newspapers by University Relations. You can find the name you are looking for by going to http://www.wiu.edu/CountyNews/