Chicago Booth Graduation Ceremony

Location and Venue
Credit Union 1 Arena
525 South Racine Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60607

COVID-19 Protocols
Please note that we will update COVID-19 guidelines in accordance with the City of Chicago and the University of Chicago's current guidance, and may change leading up to the ceremony.

Seating
Seating is general admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Graduates and guests can expect the ceremony portion of the event to minimally last two hours. Guests may need to wait in the arena lobby during the procession until the faculty procession concludes. Tickets are not needed for guests. 

Graduate Line-Up

12:30 p.m. Full-Time MBA and PhD Program Ceremony: Graduates will begin lining up at 11:45 a.m. at the Credit Union 1 Arena. Doors will open for guests at 11:30 a.m.

4:30 p.m. Evening, Weekend and Executive MBA Program Ceremony: Graduates will begin lining up at 3:45 p.m. at the Credit Union 1 Arena. Doors will open for guests at 3:45 p.m.

Regalia
Full-time, Evening and Weekend graduates may pick up their regalia at the Gleacher bookstore. 

The academic attire for MBA graduates includes the cap (with master's tassel), gown, and MBA hood. Please refer to this guide on how to wear your regalia.

PhD and Executive MBA students will receive regalia information from their respective program offices.

Ceremony Livestream and Recording
The live ceremony will be streamed on ChicagoBooth.edu/Graduation for family and friends who are not able to attend the event. A recording of the ceremony will also be available to view a few weeks later. 

Photography
A photographer will be onsite to take photos of candidates receiving their diplomas, as guests will not be allowed to approach the stage during the ceremony. Students will receive their photo proofs via email a few weeks after the ceremony. There is no obligation to purchase. 

Prohibited Items at Credit Union 1 Arena
Please note the Credit Union 1 Arena does not allow large bags, backpacks or strollers. Limited outdoor space for stroller parking will be available, however you may not to bring strollers to the Arena.

Other items prohibited include balloons, open food and beverages, and noisemakers. Guests are advised to leave these items behind. Please visit the Credit Union 1 Arena Guest Services website for more detailed information.

Transportation and Parking
Transportation to and from the Credit Union 1 Arena can be difficult on this day, as there are several large events occurring around the city. Please consider the following suggestions when traveling to and from the Credit Union 1 Arena.

Public Transit: The CTA has a train stop across the street from the Credit Union 1 Arena, the Racine Blue Line stop. Visit the CTA website for more information about public transportation.

Taxis/Ridesharing: If you take a cab to the Credit Union 1 Arena, please tell your driver to drop you off at the corner of Racine and Harrison. Taxis do not regularly drive by this area, so taking public transportation after the ceremony is recommended. If you choose to use a rideshare service rather than public transportation after the ceremony, you should arrange for the pickup to occur at the UIC Student Services Building, 1200 W. Harrison Street. This is across the street from the Credit Union 1 Arena, and signage will direct you to the location.

Parking: There are two parking lots across the street from the Credit Union 1 Arena, as well as a parking structure adjacent to the building. The price will be as much as $20 to park.

Accessibility
The Credit Union 1 Arena is wheelchair accessible.

Guests may bring their own wheelchairs and keep them with them during the ceremony. Wheelchair assistance to seating is also available by ushers, but wheelchairs will not be available to rent. Ushers will be available throughout the entire ceremony should guests need to be moved to any point.

The ceremony will be projected throughout the Credit Union 1 Arena with closed captioning enabled.

Please look for an usher if you have any needs. If you have any additional questions or needs, please call 773-702-8197.

Concessions
Beverages and light snacks will be available for purchase.

Flowers and Gifts for Graduates
If you are looking for a gift to celebrate your graduate, the university’s bookstore will be in attendance selling Chicago Booth items. Flowers will also be available for purchase.

Lodging
Several events will be taking place in the city of Chicago the weekend of June 4; if you are in need of hotel rooms, we recommend making arrangements as soon as possible.

As we have officially shifted to two Chicago Booth graduation ceremonies on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at Credit Union 1 Arena, we wanted to address some of the frequently asked questions submitted to the Graduation inbox. 

Why have we moved to two graduation ceremonies? 
The pandemic resulted in many students delaying their graduation, and as a result we have significantly more students intending to participate in this year’s ceremony. In addition, many of our graduates indicated a desire to invite larger numbers of family, friends, and loved ones to celebrate their accomplishment. Given this increase in expected numbers, combined with the recent COVID surge on the East Coast, we are taking preventative measures to ensure guests have enough space to spread out around the venue. Moving to two ceremonies was the only way to ensure our graduates would be able to invite an unlimited number of guests, without the need to limit guest attendance. 

Which Chicago Booth Graduation Ceremony can I attend?
The ceremony at 12:30 p.m. is for Full-time MBA and PhD graduates. The ceremony at 4:30 p.m. is for Evening, Weekend and Executive MBA Program graduates.

What happens at the University of Chicago Convocation ceremony from 9am-11am on the University Main Quadrangle? 
The University-wide ceremony on Saturday morning is when degrees are conferred to all of the University’s divisions and schools. Due to the large number of degree candidates, speakers do not read individual student names, nor do students walk across the graduation stage. This individual recognition will happen at Booth’s diploma ceremony. 

Will the UChicago Convocation or Chicago Booth ceremonies be livestreamed? 
Yes, both ceremonies will be live-streamed. 

What is the Chicago Booth Luncheon that is listed on the University website? 
The University provides a simple bagged lunch for guests in between the morning and afternoon ceremonies. There is no formal program, and guests are welcome to ‘grab and go’ or sit while waiting for their next ceremony. 

Will there be food available during the Chicago Booth ceremonies? 
Yes, concession stands will be open at Credit Union 1 Arena during the ceremonies for any guest in need of something to eat or drink. 

How long will the Chicago Booth ceremonies last? 
Each ceremony will last between 2 and 2.5 hours. 

Are tickets required for the Chicago Booth ceremonies? 
No, tickets are not required. 

Are there COVID-19 protocols for Credit Union 1 Arena? 
As of April 14th, no. The venue is following the city of Chicago guidelines which currently has no restrictions. 

If there are additional questions that weren't covered above, email Graduation@chicagobooth.edu.