Use of the Seal of the University of Illinois
According to the General Rules, Article II, Section 4(g): "The seal of the University shall be in the custody of the secretary of the Board of Trustees."
Seal Use Guidelines
The seal of the University of Illinois is to be used for academic purposes, formal University business transactions, legal transactions, and some commercial uses as determined by the Board of Trustees.
All uses of the seal of the University of Illinois must be approved by the secretary of the Board of Trustees and of the University. Unless noted otherwise, approval from the secretary is for a single use.
The following are non-limiting examples of proper use of the seal of the University that may be granted by the secretary of the Board of Trustees:
- Academic programming, including the provision of courses of instruction at the college and post-graduate level, as used on certificates and diplomas for University graduation or convocation activities that signify achievement by individuals
- Documents of official recognition bestowed to faculty, staff, students, alumni, or supporters of the University of Illinois by certain units of the University
- Commercially licensed items
- Items comparable to those typically found in a university bookstore
The following are examples of improper use of the seal of the University that will not be granted by the secretary of the Board of Trustees and of the University:
- Advertisements and promotional materials
- Campus/college or department activities
- Websites, social media, or digital media products that are not managed directly by the Board of Trustees or the president
- Personalized gifts from individuals to individuals, including those intended to commemorate academic, scholarly, or university-related achievements
Requests to Use the Seal
At times, judgment must be applied to the approval of seal use. Final decision lies with the secretary of the Board of Trustees and of the University.
All requests to use the seal must be made in writing, preferably in an email, to the secretary at uibot@uillinois.edu.
Date last revised: June 30, 2026
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