Convocation is the University-wide ceremony during which degrees are officially conferred to all graduates.

The 540th Convocation will take place on the Main Quadrangle of the University of Chicago's campus on Saturday, June 6, 2026, beginning at 9:15 a.m.

The Main Quadrangle will open general seating for the University-wide ceremony at 7:00 a.m. The main security entrance is located at Levi Hall, 5801 South Ellis Avenue. Guests are asked to be in their seats no later than 8:45 a.m. so they can watch the procession. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Several thousand attendees are expected at the University-wide ceremony. It is strongly recommended that guests plan to arrive on campus early and allow extra time to park, travel to the Main Quadrangle, pass through the security check point and locate desirable seats.

Instructions for degree candidate lineup for the University-wide ceremony will be published in the coming weeks.

The University of Chicago’s 2026 Convocation ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Because several trade shows and conventions are also taking place during Convocation Weekend, hotel availability in the city of Chicago will be limited. With this in mind, we highly recommend that all hotel or alternative lodging arrangements be reserved as soon as possible. A list of hotel recommendations is available.

In gathering all degree candidates together for a shared graduation, the University is honoring its earliest traditions and the goals set out for convocations by the University’s first president, William Rainey Harper.

Tickets are not required for the University-wide Convocation ceremony, though they may be required for division and school ceremonies. Please check with the divisions and school Dean of Students office with which the graduate you plan to recognize is affiliated.

The College and divisions and schools will hold their own ceremonies and activities. A full schedule of events with additional information will be published in the coming weeks. 

Chicago weather can vary widely from sunny and hot to rainy and cool in early-June. The University of Chicago’s Convocation ceremony is located outdoors on the Main Quadrangle, so please dress comfortably based on the forecast. Guests may be most comfortable in shoes with low or flat heels due to uneven ground. Please bring hats, sunscreen, raincoats, etc. as necessary. Business casual is appropriate for most of weekend events.

The University-wide Convocation ceremony is held outdoors, rain or shine, on the University's Main Quadrangle. The University recommends all guests come prepared for the weather. The University-wide ceremony may be shortened due to inclement weather. In the event of extreme weather, appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all students and guests. Details will be provided on the Convocation website and will be announced broadly at the ceremony.

Guests who prefer an indoor location may view a live broadcast of the University-wide Convocation ceremony in Kent Auditorium and Bond Chapel, which is located within the Main Quadrangle. Please note that seating is limited.  

Yes, the University-wide Convocation ceremony will be broadcasted for all guests who are unable to attend in person. The viewing link will be shared on the convocation.uchicago.edu website closer to Convocation. 

Yes, we are pleased to once again offer caregivers private, spacious, and sanitized baby stations that will be available throughout campus. These stations feature a conveniently mounted diaper changing table, hand wash sink, trash receptacle, coat hook for diaper bags, and soap/towel dispensers.

Support letters are not required for B1/B2 visa applications, but you can prepare an optional supplemental letter for your family and friends using this template on OIA’s website. You can also print out the official convocation details from the University website or print out a formal confirmation email you have received regarding convocation details.

cAlert is the University’s emergency notification system. In a life-threatening situation that requires immediate action, cAlert sends every member of our community a short message.

You may enroll in cAlert by texting "UChicagoConvo2026" to 226787 to receive SMS text message emergency alerts from the University of Chicago Department of Safety and Security. Following Convocation, all who signed up to receive cAlerts can text "stop" 226787 to be removed from the system.

To participate in Convocation, degree candidates must have satisfied all curricular requirements and passed all prescribed examinations before the deadlines published by the Office of the University Registrar or have the approval of their area Dean of Students office.

Please visit the University Academic Calendar for future convocation dates. Select "Future Academic Years" and then indicate the appropriate academic year from the drop down, and then click "go."