UIC Convocation 2026: One Circle. One UIC.

UIC Convocation 2026: One Circle. One UIC

New Student Convocation is our official welcome to all new students and the start of your journey as a Flame in the first week of classes! Join thousands of new students and celebrate new beginnings, UIC traditions, school spirit and the opportunities that await you. Hear from university leaders, connect with your UIC community and kick off the academic year with energy, pride and excitement. Please wear your UIC Orientation red shirt! This year we are welcoming the UIC Community!

Join your fellow students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends as we create the largest UIC human circle mark in university history. Together, we'll welcome the newest class of Flames, celebrate the start of a new academic year and make our greatness known.

All registered attendees will receive a free UIC bucket hat, t-shirt and meal ticket. RSVP today!

Important information:

• All attendees, please wear a red shirt
• Complimentary parking will be available in Lot 1B (corner of Racine Avenue and Harrison Street).
• Transportation will be provided from the west side of campus and the School of Law. 
• ASL will be provided. For additional access requests, please contact New Student & Family Programs at ORHelp@uic.edu or call 312.996.3271

Schedule

New Students, Faculty, & Staff

• 3:30 p.m.: Check-in opens for New Students, Faculty & Staff at University Hall East Lawn 
• 4 -5 p.m.: New Student Welcome Experience at University Hall East Lawn. Kick off the year by connecting with the UIC community.
• 5-5:30 p.m.: New Student Convocation at University Hall East Lawn. Join UIC’s official welcome for all new students featuring remarks from university leadership, campus traditions and the start of your journey as a Flame.
• 5:30-5:45 p.m.: Processional: From University Hall Lawn to Harrison Field. Join fellow students, faculty, staff, university leaders, the Pep Band, Spirit Squad, Sparky and orientation leaders as we march together to Harrison Field.

All UIC Students, Faculty & Staff, Alumni, and Community:

• 5 p.m.: Check-in at Harrison Field
• 5:45-5:55 p.m.: Photo Capture - UIC One Circle. One UIC at Harrison Field. Be part of a historic UIC moment as thousands of students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends come together to form the largest UIC human circle mark.
• 6-8 p.m.:    Flames Fest at Harrison Field. Celebrate the start of the academic year with UIC’s biggest welcome event!

Our goal is to reach 5,000 people! Please note that free swag will be distributed only to the first 5,000 participants. Once this limit is reached, we won’t be able to offer additional free items. Thanks for your understanding and enthusiasm!

New Student and Family Programs | View More Events