Commencement

Commencement 2022

Congratulations to SAIC's 2021-2022 graduating class! The Commencement ceremony will take place in-person on Sunday, May 22nd, 2022 at the Wintrust Arena, located at 200 East Cermak Road.

SAIC will also provide a livestream of the Commencement ceremony on the afternoon of May 22nd. Family and friends of graduating students may find the livestream by visiting saic.edu/commencement and clicking on the livestream icon just prior to 2:00 p.m. CT. 

Ceremony Information

When and Where

The Commencement ceremony will take place in-person on Sunday, May 22nd, 2022 at the Wintrust Arena, located at 200 East Cermak Road. The ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m. and doors for guests and graduating students will open at 12:30 p.m. All students must arrive by 1:15 p.m. to participate in the ceremony. We expect the ceremony to end at approximately 5:30 p.m. 

Tickets

Graduates will receive five guest tickets, plus their own individual ticket. No one will allowed to enter the Wintrust Arena without a ticket. Tickets are available to be picked up beginning on Tuesday, April 12 through Wednesday, May 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m at the LeRoy Neiman Center Desk, 37 South Wabash Avenue, second floor. An ARTICard is required to pick up Commencement tickets. Tickets will also be available at the LeRoy Neiman Center Desk from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 21 for those students who are traveling to Chicago for the ceremony. At the time gradutes pick up their tickets, they may be placed on a waiting list for additional guest tickets. Should additional tickets become available, graduates will be contacted on May 4 to pick them up. 

Attire

SAIC does not require a cap and gown for the ceremony. This is a celebratory event where graduates are invited to dress as they feel appropriate. 

Entering Wintrust Arena

Guests will enter through the main entrance to the arena, on the corner of Cermak Road and Indiana avenue. Staff will be available to direct you. Guests with mobility impairments will be assisted to the appropriate seating accomodation. 

Students will enter at the north end of the arena at the corner of Indiana Avenue and 21st Street. Students will receive their seating assignment and be assisted to their assigned seat. Students should arrive no later than 1:15 p.m. For directions on how to get to Wintrust Arena, please click here. 

COVID-19 Protocols

We’ve continued to consult with public health expert Terri Rebmann, PhD, RN, CIC, FAPIC, and we want to share a few updates on our COVID-19 protocols for the event.

• Due to low infection rates; a vaccination rate of more than 98 percent among SAIC students, faculty, and staff attendees; and the effectiveness of masks, attendees are no longer required to show negative tests or proof of vaccination to enter the event.
• We will require attendees to wear a mask. The mask should be well-fitted and cover your nose and mouth. For additional protection, consider wearing a surgical mask or a respirator (K95 or KN95).

Special Accommodations

Any person with a disability who would like to request an accommodation should contact graduation@saic.edu as soon as possible to allow adequate time to make proper arrangements. 

Questions?

More information will be communicated over the course of the spring term. If you have any questions, please email graduation@saic.edu.