Tech Tip: Hybrid Meetings

Holding a hybrid meeting? Use the iSchool buildings' built-in computers! Image of a woman on a computer screen.

Whether you’re teaching a class or reserving a conference room for a meeting, if you’re holding a hybrid event you want it to go smoothly. Hybrid meetings are meetings with both in-person attendees as well as attendees joining over Zoom. If attendees are joining over Zoom and you would like them to speak or hear in-person attendees, you should use the room’s built-in computers.

Built-ins are computers included in iSchool conference rooms and classrooms. Some built-ins look like physical computers that can connect to projectors. Others might not be visible, but are accessible by using control panels in the room. Both kinds of built-in are designed to connect to the cameras and microphones in conference rooms and classrooms, while laptops are not. So while using your laptop to join a meeting might seem like the easier option, it can lead to audio and visual issues in the middle of a hybrid meeting. 

To learn more about how to use the built-ins for specific rooms, take a look at the linked KnowledgeBase article. You can also contact the Help Desk with any questions or concerns by emailing ischool-support@illinois.edu or calling us at 217-244-4903. We can help you troubleshoot any issues using the built-ins, and can also help you set up hybrid events. Fill out the iSchool Tech Support Request Form to have Help Desk staff stop by before your event to help set up tech. 

Tech Tip: Tech Tips in QR codes!

We are happy to announce that QR codes will be available near the Help Desks in both 501 and 614 East Daniel. These codes will, when scanned by your smartphones’ QR code reader app, link directly to previous Tech Tips you may  find useful. These QR codes will be labeled. Please feel free to drop by and learn a new Tech Tip!
In the future we hope to add more of these QR codes, revisiting Tech Tips that have otherwise been forgotten.

QR code to scan with smartphone
This QR code links to a recent Tech Tip post, “Services Available After Graduation”. Scan it with your phone and QR reader app to link directly to the tip on our blog.

Tech Tip of the Week: Managing Your UIUC Accounts and Passwords

Need to change your password? Not sure where to go to register for classes? The iSchool Help Desk has compiled a list of the official UIUC websites you need to use for these tasks and more. There is even information on how to choose a secure password! The Help Desk is here to help if you have any questions about using these resources.

This Kitty is on the Case!

We apologize for the late post, but Detective Curtis Lemansky was off solving crime, and couldn’t be here for the blog.

But do not fear! Lem is doing his due diligence in protecting us from crime with his incredibly handsome looks.

Thank you, Kiri, for assuring us that Lem is keeping us safe from wrongdoers!

Photo of cat laying on its back

Longing Gazes into the Weekend

This week the Help Desk was graced with nobility the likes of which we have never seen.

We had to make sure everyone saw Eartha Kitty, and hope that her proud stance will inspire you into the weekend! Thank you Kiri for sharing this adorable floof with us!

Photo of cat looking out a window

Want to see your pet featured? Email their picture to ischool-support@illinois.edu!

Commencement Season is Almost Here!

Alma in graduation robes

Congratulations on making it to the end of your iSchool journey! This blog post will go over the steps necessary to make sure you’re all set for graduation.

Degree Conferral – Required

First, make sure your name is added to the degree conferral list. This step is essential to make sure you graduate and is due March 31 for May conferral! From Self-Service, select “Graduation” and then click “Apply to Graduate.” From here, you will follow the prompts until you can hit “Submit Request.” To make sure that you have done this successfully, go back to the “Graduation” page and select “View Active Graduation Applications.”

Near the end of the semester, you will receive an email from Peggy Ames, which will tell you if you have completed degree requirements, if you’re on track, or if you still have items missing for graduation.

The Office of the Registrar will email you on April 22 and May 6 with information about Diploma mailing.

After June 15th, your degree conferral information will be on your transcripts and you can then order copies of your final transcript. If you need verification of your degree before this, not to worry! You can contact Penny Ames and give her details of what you need.

If you are planning to continue your education at the iSchool, you can find more information here.

University Commencement – Optional

This campus-wide ceremony confers degrees to every Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, and Professional candidate. With the sheer number of people of graduating, you will not be individually recognized, but will stand as a group at your seats to be recognized. This is completely optional for iSchool graduates.

This year, Commencement is Saturday May 11 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Memorial StadiumHere are all official details. If you want to participate, register for the ceremony by April 24 and order academic attire (same as the attire for the iSchool Convocation) by April 11. You can pick up your tickets for guests at the Illini Union Event Services Window starting on February 27. You must pick up and return your academic attire at the ARC gym 1 p.m. at the times listed at this link.

On the day of Commencement, MS and Advanced Certificate candidates should report to Memorial Stadium by 9 a.m. and Doctoral candidates to ARC gym by 8:30 am. They ask that you don’t bring anything with you, as you cannot carry anything during the procession and there is not a secure place to leave it. If it rains, you will get a poncho to wear over your attire since you cannot bring umbrellas.

MS and Advanced Certificate candidates will sit as one group, while Doctoral candidates will sit as another. Everyone should wear their hoods into Memorial Stadium. You will rise as a group as the the President confers the degrees.

Additional information for students can be found here.

iSchool Convocation – Optional

Information Science Banner

This is our convocation specifically for the iSchool, where you will be individually recognized! This year, it will be held on May 12 at 4:30 pm in Foellinger Auditorium. This ceremony is also optional!

Register for the ceremony here by April 24 and order your academic attire by April 11 (if you already have attire for the Commencement ceremony, you don’t need to place another order). Pick up your tickets in Room 112 of the iSchool from April 1-29. You are allowed 5 tickets – contact Christine Hopper by April 29 if you want to request additional tickets. You must pick up and return your academic attire at the ARC Gym 1 at the times listed at this link.

On the day of Convocation, arrive at the Foreign Languages Building (707 South Matthews Avenue, Urbana) by 3:30 p.m.. Wear your academic attire, and note that there is no place to store personal belongings. Check-in and line-up starts at 3 p.m., and you will receive a card with your name and pronunciation, if you provided this when you registered, which you will hand to the reader before you cross the stage. Staff will let you know where you should line up in alphabetical order.

If you have a disability and require special assistance, email Christine Hopper or call (217) 244-5600 to make arrangements.

Parking information can be found here.

A photographer from GradImages® will take photos as you receive your diploma cover and proofs will be mailed to you if you grant permission when you register for the ceremony.

Afterwards, there will be a reception in the Charles & Millicent Marshall Library Gallery in the Main Library for graduates and guests.

Doctoral Hooding

Registration is open for the University’s Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, and you should have received an invitation to register! It will take place on Friday, May 10 at 11 a.m. in Foellinger Great Hall at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. The university-wide Commencement ceremony does not include doctoral hooding, but the iSchool convocation does. More information about the ceremony and registration can be found here!


The iSchool Help Desk wishes you the best of luck in all your future endeavors!

Information adapted from the iSchool Wiki and the official Commencement site.