Commencement: An Overview – Arriving, Watching, Marching

Ok. It’s here. You’re graduating. If you’re a little anxious about the Commencement ceremony, don’t be. We got this. Here are a few tips and key details that will ensure you know what to do, your family knows where to go, and that you all have an amazing graduation experience!

Get to the Chicago Theatre an hour before your ceremony starts.

There are directions, parking maps, and parking rates on the Commencement website.

Your guests will enter the Theatre and be seated to watch the Music Department’s preshow. Commencement is a ticketed event. Reserve your tickets through the online ticket reservation system. Guests can enter the Theatre up to 45 minutes before the ceremony.

How do I get graduation photos and the commencement dvd?

There will be a photographer at commencement who will take three poses of each and every graduate. You will then get proofs in the mail should you want to order prints. You don’t need to do anything, this just happens automatically. If you’d rather we not give your mailing information to GradImages, please send an email with the subject line “DO NOT RELEASE ADDRESS” to commencement@colum.edu.

You and/or your family can order the DVD – which includes footage of the ceremony, of you crossing the stage and some super awesome footage from end-of-the-year events such as Manifest. You can pre-order the DVD online now and save 20%.

Who are the commencement honorees?

Commencement honorees are announced online in early Spring. Keep your eyes out to see who’ll represent the Class of 2012 this year!

How do I arrange for special assistance for myself or one of my guests?

Students who require assistance during the ceremony should contact the office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 312.369.8132. The Chicago Theatre is happy to accommodate guests who require assistance or wheelchair seating. There will be ushers at all the entrances ready to help. There is no need to make arrangements in advance.