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Columbia College Chicago
F.A.Q.'s
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F.A.Q.'s


1. When is cap and gown distribution?
2. When and where can I pick up my diploma?
3. Where is the commencement venue?
4. Are there tickets for commencement?
5. Does Columbia recommend any specific hotels for visiting family and friends?
6. How long is each ceremony?
7. How do I get fitted for my cap and gown?
8. How do I opt in or out of walking in the ceremony?
9. How can I arrange for special assistance for myself or one of my guests?
 10. How can I stay connected after I graduate?

11. I never got my official graduation letter in the mail!

12. How can I get involved in Manifest?

13. When do I pick up my guest tickets for commencement?

 

 

1. When is cap and gown distribution?   
Tuesday and Wednesday, May 1 and 2, 2012
10am - 7pm at The Court (731 S. Plymouth Court).

2. When and where can I pick up my diploma?
(Please note: Students who recently separated from the college and did not return for the next term may have an SFS hold on their account. These students will need to complete exit counseling before the hold can be removed. Please visit www.studentloans.gov to complete exit counseling. Once exit counseling has been completed, the hold will be removed.)

Please note, that you will receive only on diploma jacket only at the graduation ceremony.

Diplomas may be picked up in the Office of Degree Evaluation (623 S. Wabash, 3rd. floor, room 316) after graduation on the appropriate date below.  
 

Fall 2011 graduates (graduating December 17, 2011) may pick up their diplomas on or after March 28, 2012

Spring 2012 graduates (graduating May 5, 2012) may pick up their diplomas on or after July 11, 2012

Summer 2012 graduates (graduating August 18, 2012) may pick up their diplomas on or after October 3, 2012

 You are technically required to pick up your diploma, however you may request to have it mailed for a $7.00 fee. Diplomas will only be issued once academic and financial obligations have been satisfied.  Please contact Ruby Turner at 312-369-7441 for more information.

3.  Where is the commencement venue?
Commencement will take place at the Chicago Theatre at 175 N. State St.  This Chicago landmark, with its iconic marquee, will be a wonderful venue in which to celebrate our graduates.  For more information about the theatre’s history, please see their site.

4. Are there tickets for commencement?
 Yes! Each graduate will receive up to 6 tickets for their guests. You may reserve your tickets here. Unreserved tickets will be redistributed to graduates seeking extras as they become available.

Please note that as of March 2012, there are not extra tickets to distribute for those who have requested more than the guaranteed six tickets. Students are highly encouraged that if they do not need all six tickets they should request only the number of tickets that they need. The extra tickets are not guaranteed even if requested, so students should help out their fellow classmates if they can.

Download form for proxy commencement ticket pick-up here.

5. Does Columbia recommend any specific hotels for visiting family and friends?
Yes! The following hotels are special partners. 

Hilton Chicago
720 South Michigan Ave.
 Chicago, IL 60605

The Hilton Chicago, located on our South Loop campus, is the preferred hotel vendor for guests of Columbia College Chicago.  Guests can enjoy a discounted rate on rooms and are entitled to a 25% discount off all food and beverage (excluding alcohol) in the Hilton Chicago’s three primary restaurant outlets.  You can book your discounted rooms the following ways:

  • Call 1-800-HILTONS and request the Columbia College corporate rate
  • Book on www.Hilton.com and select the Hilton Chicago as your location and enter the corporate ID number N1362741
  • Use the personalized booking link and save it to your desktop

Club Quarters

111 West Adams St. 
Chicago, IL 60603
Reservations: www.clubquarters.com

Columbia guests are entitled to a discounted rate at Club Quarters.  To take advantage of the Columbia rate, please book your room online at www.clubquarters.com and use password "columbiacollege."


ADDITIONAL HOTELS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA:


Blackstone Hotel
636 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
Reservations: (312) 447-0955

Palmer House Hilton
17 East Monroe
Chicago, IL 60605
Reservations: (877) 865-5321

Residence Inn by Marriott
201 E. Walton Place
Chicago, IL 60605
Reservations: (312) 943-9800

Hotel Blake
500 S. Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60605
Reservations: (312) 986-1234

Homewood Suites by Hilton

40 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
Reservations: (312) 644-2222

Best Western Grant Park
1100 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
Reservations: (312) 922-2900

The Blackstone Renaissance Hotel

819 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
Reservations: (312) 765-0536

Hotel Sax Chicago
333 N. Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60610
Reservations: (312) 245-0333
   
 

6. How long is each ceremony?
Each ceremony will last approximately 2 hours.

7. How do I get fitted for my cap and gown?
Your gown is ordered based on the height and weight that you provide on the graduation application.

8. How do I opt in or out of walking in the ceremony?
Students opt in for the ceremony when they apply for graduation and give their height/hat sizes. There is no opting out procedure.  Students just don't show up!

9. How can I arrange for special assistance for myself or one of my guests?
If you are a guest with special needs, the ushers at the Chicago Theatre will be ready and waiting to assist you to sit comfortably with your party. If you are a graduating student and have special needs or require any type of assistance at the venue during the Commencement Ceremony, please email jsummers@colum.edu.

10. How can I stay connected after I graduate?
Join the alumni network!

11. I never got my official graduation booklet in the mail!
Download it here!
12. How can I get involved in Manifest? Contact your departmental liaison to find out what your major is planning for its graduates! You can also submit to perform on your own by filling out the Manifest submission form.
13. When do I pick up my guest tickets for commencement?

Tickets will be distributed on April 17-18 and April 24-25 between 11am and 3pm in the Conaway Center | 1104 S. Wabash Ave. You will need to bring your student I.D. and sign for their tickets in order to claim them. Tickets cannot be mailed, and there is no will call. You may send a representative to pick up your tickets for you. Please print and complete the proxy pick up form.

Please note, the Chicago Theater's policy is that all children who have reached their second birthday require a ticket to gain admittance to The Chicago Theatre. Any child who has yet to reach their second birthday does not require a ticket, however, they may not occupy their own seat and must sit on a parent's or guardian's lap.