Commencement - May 2008
Academic Attire
Doctoral candidates are strongly encouraged to order academic attire online at www.herffjones.com/college/graduation through April 21st. After placing your order, you will have the opportunity to print a receipt. Please present the receipt when you pick up the apparel.
Where to Get Measured
If you are unable to order academic attire via the Web and live on campus or within 30 miles of campus, you must order your cap and gown in the Authors Corner in the Illini Union Bookstore.
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, April 2 | 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday, April 8 | 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Monday, April 21 | 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
Online orders must be placed by 11:59 p.m., April 21
Graduates who miss these deadlines must go to the Illini Union on Friday, May 9 to place an order. Academic attire will be available the next day and a $20 late fee will be assessed.
Herff Jones will do its best to accommodate late orders, but it cannot guarantee custom rental regalia for orders placed after April 21.
Where to Pick Up Your Academic Attire
Caps and gowns will be distributed in the Illini Union at the following times:
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Thursday, May 8 | 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday, May 9 | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, May 10 | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 11 | 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. |
You are strongly advised to pick up your academic attire on Friday or Saturday, May 9 or 10. Please be aware that your gown will be folded.
Rental fees must be paid in full by check or cash when you pick up the apparel. Payment cannot be made in advance. Checks should be payable to Herff Jones.
| Doctor's motarboard, gown, and hood: | $68.00 |
If you own your doctoral hood, please deduct $14.50 from the rental fee. You may keep the tassel as a souvenir. Additional tassels may be purchased for $7 each, and a stole of gratitude may be purchased for $18 when you pick up your attire.
If you cannot pick up your cap and gown at one of the scheduled times, you may arrange for someone else to do so; that person should present your receipt and must pay the rental fee. In no instance will a cap and gown be mailed to an out-of-town student or graduate.
Academic attire will not be distributed after 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 11.
Where to Return Your Academic Attire
Following the campuswide commencement ceremony and/or unit convocation, you must return your rented cap, gown, and hood. Herff Jones representatives will accept rented academic attire at the Illini Union at the following times:
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Saturday, May 10 | 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 11 | 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Monday, May 12 | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Graduates who do not return their rented attire by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, are responsible for returning the attire directly to the Illini Union Bookstore on Tuesday, May 13 through Friday, May 16. Please note that Herff Jones will assess a late charge of $5 per day to all graduates returning rented attire after May 12.


