Event Planning
We offer an array of options for your event needs. All spaces are bookable by University departments, registered student organizations, public clients, and non-profit organizations.
Flexible Spaces
We offer flexible spaces that can be reserved for meetings, conferences, lectures, banquets, performances, social gatherings, and weddings.
Services
All rooms include tables and chairs. Audio/visual services and additional equipment rentals are available upon request.
Catering
Full-service catering is available for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and refreshments. Menus are available upon request by contacting the Event Services and Catering team.
Weddings
We provide expert assistance for your wedding reception to ensure you and your guests have a memorable experience. Contact the Event Services and Catering team to schedule an appointment and discuss your dream wedding.
Rooms
The Atrium
Offers a reception area, balcony, and presentation room overlooking campus. Ideal for small gatherings.
Brown Ballroom
Largest event room in Bone Student Center includes built-in stage. Ideal for large events and wedding receptions.
Braden Auditorium
Full-service auditorium includes 3,457 seats and production services. Ideal for shows, presentations, and concerts.
Circus Room
Medium-sized space including projector and screen, audio, and customizable to event needs. Ideal for meetings, weddings, and mid-sized events.
Dobski Conference Room
Named in honor of Bob and Julie Dobski, offers conference table and presentation screen. Ideal for small meetings.
Founders Suite
Private, comfortable suite split in two areas. Ideal for intimate gatherings, executive meetings, and small presentations.
Old Main Room
Medium-sized space offers projection and audio services. Ideal for events, meetings, or exhibits.
Prairie Room
Large space capable of being partitioned into three with attached outdoor patio. Ideal for gatherings, exhibits, or receptions.
Spotlight Room
Small meeting space including conference table and screen. Ideal for team meetings and small gatherings.
Registered Student Organization Policies
Please review the following information required of RSOs prior to reserving a room in the Bone Student Center. To reserve a space outside of the Bone Student Center, please contact Conference Services.
RSO Booking Policies and Event Guidelines
To qualify for Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) rates, the event must have a majority of students in attendance. The function must be sponsored by a student organization currently registered with Illinois State University. The event must be planned by a member of the organization who will also serve at the primary contact with the Event Services and Catering office.
All Bone Student Center booking policies and event guidelines apply to RSOs.
RSOs must complete the Booking Privileges Form prior to submitting an Event Request Form.
RSOs events in the Bone Student Center are booked on a semester-by-semester basis. Events for the coming semester may be booked after the open booking date.
RSOs can book one meeting per week for no longer than two hours and up to two dance practices per week for no longer than two hours.
Booking Privileges Form
The RSO president must complete the Booking Privileges Form before the organization is authorized to reserve a room or book an event. A new form must be completed each year.
When to Book
Booking for each semester opens shortly before the semester begins. A booking privileges form must be complete before a space can be reserved in the Bone Student Center. Once the form is complete and open booking begins, RSOs may submit the request via the Event Request Form.
- Spring 2026 open booking date: December 1, 2025
- Fall 2026 open booking date: August 3, 2026
Deadlines
All events must abide by the deadlines listed below. Failure to meet these deadlines may result in cancellation of the event.
60 business days before event
- Registered event with minors (if applicable)
20 business days before event
- Box office ticket request form completed (if applicable)
30-15 business days before event
- Preliminary details due (room configuration, equipment needs, menus, labor, etc.): Events over 250 guests or multi-day event details due 30 days prior
20 days prior to the event
- Events held in Braden Auditorium may require tickets sold through Ticketmaster and require a ticket request form to be submitted
10 business days before event
- Insurance on file (if requested)
- All details of event finalized (room configuration, equipment needs, menus, labor, etc.)
- Production information due (PowerPoint presentations, videos, scripts, lighting cues, music, if applicable)
7 business days after receiving the agreement
- Signed agreement
5 business days before event
- Final numbers for catering (if applicable)
- Signed banquet event order (BEO)
- Payment due for Independent RSOs
Please contact the Event Services and Catering Office for more information about booking Braden Auditorium or to set up a meeting.
Practices and Recurring Meetings
Practices and recurring meetings will be assigned to specific rooms and times.
Practices
- Available days: Monday – Friday
- Available times: 5-7 p.m., 7:15-9:15 p.m., 9:30-10:30 p.m.
- Available rooms: Prairie Room (I, II, or III), 4 East Lounge, 4 West Lounge, & 1 West Lounge
- All rooms will be empty.
- Groups may reserve any room that is available for up to two hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
Recurring Meetings
- Available days: Monday – Friday
- Available times: 5-7 p.m., 7:15-9:15 p.m., 9:30-10:30 p.m.
- Available rooms:
- Founders Suite: Audience-style seating for 40 with one 8ft table
- Spotlight Room: Hollow square for 28
- Dobski Room: Conference table for 12
- Circus Room: Audience-style seating for 75 with one 8ft table
- Groups may reserve any room that is available for up to two hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
Payment and Event Agreements
Sponsored RSOs
- Sponsored RSOs will use Kuali to sign and complete all event agreements, regardless of if there are charges or not.
- Sponsored RSO events must be paid by a University account number and/or Foundation funds. An account number must be provided at the time of booking.
- Credit card and checks are no longer acceptable forms of payment for sponsored RSO events.
Independent RSOs
- Independent RSOs will receive their agreement via Kuali (online form) or email, pending how they are paying for the event.
- If there are no charges affiliated with the event or if university funds will be paying for the event, then they will use the Kuali process.
- If there are event charges and they are not paying with a university account number, then they cannot go through the Kuali process and they will print and sign agreements. Advisors will need to sign off on the agreement and banquet event order.
- Independent RSO events must be paid in full five business days before the event. To guarantee Independent RSO rates, payment using a University account number will only be accepted if the account number/Foundation check is from an Independent RSO programming or opportunity fund. Payment by check or credit card is also permitted but applicable tax will be added to all catering charges.
Check-in Process
For events starting after 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday or anytime on Saturday or Sunday, an RSO representative must check in at the Dietz Welcome Desk and Braden Box Office on the first floor of the Bone Student Center.
The room will remain locked until the RSO has checked in at the Dietz Welcome Desk and Braden Box Office.
Access to the space begins 15 minutes prior to the reservation start time unless requested in advance with the Event Services and Catering Office.
Book Your Event
To submit a booking request, complete the form including as much detail as possible. Please contact the Event Services and Catering team if you have any questions.
Before booking, take a moment to review policies for Bone Student Center, registered student organizations, and booking below.
Booking Policies and Event Guidelines
All room requests must be received a minimum of 48 business hours in advance of the event. Requests received after this time will not be accepted (to exclude Spotlight, Dobski, and Concourse Tables).
All events must conclude no later than 30 minutes prior to when the building closes.
To open the building, a request must be submitted at least 30 business days prior to the event date. Approval is not guaranteed and is subject to staff availability. If approval is granted, the organization must commit to a minimum expenditure of $3,000 on food, beverages, equipment, room rental, or labor charges. Additional fees will apply for holidays.
Events requesting early access will be charged an additional fee of $110 per hour.
Depending upon the type of event and related activities, a client or vendor may be required to provide proof of appropriate insurance coverage and/or additional loss prevention measures as required by the University Event Review Committee. You will be notified of these requirements after the committee completes its review. All hired entertainment, vendors and guest speakers must be submitted to your event planner no later than 45 days prior to the event date that is being requested. Liability insurance, if applicable, must be submitted to your event planner no later than 10 days prior to the event date. Failure to release this information at this time will result in the event date being delayed.
Room, equipment, and production rates are based upon the individual or group sponsoring the event. Rates and catering menus will be provided upon submitting an event request.
For a full list of all booking policies and event guidelines or for any further questions, please contact the Event Services and Catering Office at (309) 438-2222.
Deadlines
All events must abide by the deadlines listed below. Failure to meet these deadlines may result in cancellation of the event.
60 business days before event
- Registered event with minors (if applicable)
20 business days before event
- Box office ticket request form completed (if applicable)
30-15 business days before event
- Preliminary details due (room configuration, equipment needs, menus, labor, etc.): Events over 250 guests or multi-day event details due 30 days prior
20 days prior to the event
- Events held in Braden Auditorium may require tickets sold through Ticketmaster and require a ticket request form to be submitted
10 business days before event
- Insurance on file (if requested)
- All details of event finalized (room configuration, equipment needs, menus, labor, etc.)
- Production information due (PowerPoint presentations, videos, scripts, lighting cues, music, if applicable)
7 business days after receiving the agreement
- Signed agreement
5 business days before event
- Final numbers for catering (if applicable)
- Signed banquet event order (BEO)
- Payment due for Independent RSOs
Please contact the Event Services and Catering Office for more information about booking Braden Auditorium or to set up a meeting.
Form Requirements
All information must be completed in full and accurate during this request. If any of this information changes or additions are made after this form is completed, the changes may result in a delay of your event date.
To assist with booking, the last field 'Tell us about your event' should contain:
- Room(s) you are requesting, including an alternate location in case that room is not available
- Frequency of the event (once, bi-weekly, weekly, etc.)
- Alternate dates if date is flexible
- Equipment and production items
- Vendor information including DJ, band, vendors, or keynote speakers
Watch your email for confirmation to ensure your request has been accepted. If we cannot meet your request, we'll work with you to help you find another date and time that works best.