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.

RSVP today!

Rain or shine, the celebration is on Aug. 26!

Due to a forecast of rain, this year's convocation will be held indoors at Credit Union 1 Arena. While the celebration is moving inside, we’re keeping the excitement, energy and UIC spirit that make this one of the biggest moments of the year.

The location has changed, but we still need every member of our community to register, show up and represent.

Important information:

• Location change indoors: Credit Union 1 Arena at 525 S. Racine Ave
  • All UIC students, alums, family and guests enter at Gate 3
  • UIC faculty and staff enter at Gate 2
  • An ADA accessible entrance is at Gate 2. ASL will be provided. For additional access requests, please contact New Student & Family Programs at ORHelp@uic.edu or call 312.996.3271
• Guests/Alumni/Family please download/print your event tickets before your arrival
• UIC students/faculty/staff may use their iCard or UIC Connection event ticket/QRCode
• New students should wear their orientation shirt
• All registered attendees will receive a free UIC bucket hat at check-in
• Faculty/staff/alumni/guests/current students will receive a free UIC t-shirt
• Meal tickets will be provided after the photo
• 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

Schedule

New Students, Faculty, & Staff

• 4 p.m.: Check-in opens for New Students, Faculty & Staff at Credit Union 1 Arena
  • All UIC students, alums, family and guests enter at Gate 3
  • UIC faculty and staff enter at Gate 2
  • An ADA accessible entrance is at Gate 2
• 4 -5 p.m.: New Student Welcome Experience at Credit Union 1 Arena. Kick off the year by connecting with the UIC community.
• 5-5:30 p.m.: New Student Convocation at Credit Union 1 Arena. 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.

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

• 5 p.m.: Check-in at Credit Union 1 Arena
  • All UIC students, alums, family and guests enter at Gate 3
  • UIC faculty and staff enter at Gate 2
  • An ADA accessible entrance is at Gate 2
• 5:45-5:55 p.m.: Photo Capture - UIC One Circle. One UIC at Credit Union 1 Arena. Let’s support our new students for this UIC moment and form the largest UIC human circle mark.
• 6-8 p.m.:    Flames Fest at Credit Union 1 Arena. 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!

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