Information for Students Participating in

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Commencement Ceremony

(including Education undergraduate students)

Saturday, May 17th at 9:00 a.m.

Carver Hawkeye Arena

(Degree candidates should plan to arrive by 8:20 a.m. )

 

Can all Liberal Arts & Sciences and College of Education Bachelor's degree candidates attend?

Yes! We do ask that degree candidates with physical disabilities who plan to participate in the ceremony call 335–0296 to make arrangements.

What should I wear? Where can I buy cap and gown?

All degree candidates are required to wear a black gown and black cap with white tassel. Apparel can be purchased at the University Book Store, 63 IMU:       

Monday - Thursday, April 28 – May 1 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Friday, May 2 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Sunday, May 4 from noon until 4 p.m.

Monday - Thursday, May 5 – May 8 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Friday, May 9 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

 

Undergraduate apparel (cap, gown, tassel) is $16.25 The Book Store accepts cash, check, Visa and Master Card.

Degree Candidates unable to visit the Book Store in person should send a personal check payable to “University Book Store” to University Book Store, Iowa Memorial Union, Iowa City IA 52242-1317.  If you are an Iowa resident, please add 6% sales tax.    Include a note stating your height and degree to be received.  Orders will be available for pickup at the Book Store table at Carver Hawkeye Arena prior to the start of the ceremony.

Seating is initially planned, based on cap and gown sales. Degree candidates planning to wear academic apparel obtained from any other source should contact Commencements at 335–0296, to make sure they have a seat at the ceremony. Please call no later than May 2nd.

At the ceremony: Men are expected to wear ties although jackets are not required. Flowers are not worn on gowns. Caps or gowns decorated with inappropriate messages will not be permitted. We also caution graduates regarding their choice of footwear.  The stairs and floor covering at the arena may be difficult to navigate; wearing high-heeled footwear is not advised.

Caps are to be worn with the mortar board horizontal and the tassel on the right. They should be worn during the Processional, while degrees are being conferred and during the Recessional. They may be removed other times.

How can I order graduation announcements?

Traditional announcements are now on sale at the Levitt Center from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on weekdays. New and graduating senior members of the Alumni Association receive ten free announcements. Call 335-3294 to join.

Personalized announcements can be specifically designed with The University of Iowa's school's crest and personalized with your name, degree, major, time, date, and place of your ceremony. For personalized announcements go to:  http://www.iowalum.com/merchandise/graduation.html

How can I order a class ring or a diploma frame?

Class rings and diploma frames can be ordered through the University Book Store at:  http://www.book.uiowa.edu/

 

Can I get professional photos from my ceremony?

Professional photographers from Jolesch Photography will be taking two photos of each candidate: a more formal, “posed” photo taken prior to being recognized onstage and a “candid” taken while shaking hands with a University official. 

To receive a complimentary proof (with no obligation to purchase), please be sure to complete the address information on the back of the Name Card which you will fill out when you purchase your cap and gown. You will hand this photo name card to the Reader as you are recognized onstage. University Book Store personnel will complete this information for mail-in orders. Students should check for accuracy.

Photos will be available online about 7 – 10 days after your ceremony. To purchase photos online go to:  http://www.joleschorders.com/

What information will my guests need? Do they need tickets?

The ceremony is open to the public. Doors open one hour before the starting time. Seats are not reserved and tickets are not required. Each degree candidate is recognized on stage. The ceremony will probably conclude sometime around noon (allow for traffic congestion afterward if planning lunch reservations).

No backpacks or large bags are allowed. Officials reserve the right to inspect any bag or package brought into the building.

If you expect a guest with physical disabilities and would like to arrange for reserved parking and/or special seating, please call Commencements at 335-0296 or Graduation Analysis 335–0228 no later than May 2nd.

Is there a rehearsal?

No, so please read this information thoroughly to get a sense of what will happen and what is expected.

What time should I be at the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences ceremony?

Students should plan to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. Arriving before that time will give you a few minutes for photos with family and friends.

Where should I park?

Parking is available in the Arena Commuter Lot (lot 75) and in the Dental Science Building Parking lot (lot 40).

What do I do when I arrive at the ceremony?

You should arrive at your ceremony with cap and gown in hand – or plan to pick up previously ordered apparel at the Book Store apparel table located in Section A (west side) of the upper concourse.

Liberal Arts & Sciences (including Education) graduates should report to the Name Card Hand-Out Table appropriate to your last name. These tables are situated around the upper concourse. Tell the staff member your last and first names. The Name Card you completed when purchasing apparel at the Book Store will be returned to you. Hold onto it!

Liberal Arts & Sciences students are seated by alphabetic groups of approximately even number. Maps of the seating assignments are posted at each card hand-out station.

Join your group to line up where signs indicate. A marshal will be there to direct you. Graduates need not be in strictly alphabetical order. The Processional will begin.

What happens at the ceremony?

Your marshal will escort your group to a designated seating area. You should sit down as soon as you reach your chair.  A diploma cover and a program booklet listing the graduates will be on your chair.

The beginning of the program will include a Welcome, several brief speeches, the Charge to the Graduates, The Conferring of Degrees and the Tassel Ceremony.

For the Presentation of Graduates, the candidates will be invited to come to the stage to be recognized individually. Your marshal will lead your group to the stage. Take your Name Card with you, hand it to the person reading names at the microphone and walk briskly to center stage to shake hands with the University official. You will return to the opposite end of your original row of seats, cross to your original seat and be seated.

Following the closing remarks, usually around noon, candidates begin the Recessional under the marshals' direction and in an orderly fashion.

What is expected of graduates who attend?

Commencement is the culminating event of University study for students who choose to attend. So that you, your family and other guests may enjoy this important gathering, an appropriate and dignified academic atmosphere is absolutely expected. The following rules of behavior will be enforced at all ceremonies:

•  No alcoholic beverages of any kind.

•  Inappropriate dress and costumes worn under gowns will not be allowed.

•  No cell phones are permitted in the graduate seating area.

•  No flowers, purses, gifts, balloons, or bags will be allowed in the student seating area.

•  Marshals and security staff will be looking for intoxicated persons. Inebriated students are not permitted to participate.

With everyone's cooperation, this occasion will become a proud and happy memory of your academic achievement at the University of Iowa.

Will my name appear in the commencement program booklet?

If you have applied for degree for the current session, your name will appear in the commencement program booklet. If you are participating in the ceremony early, your name will not appear in the program booklet until the session that you actually will be completing all of your degree requirements and graduating. However, your name will be announced when you cross the stage at the ceremony. If you are graduating at the end of the summer session, your name will appear in the December commencement program.

What if I choose not to attend my ceremony? How do I get a cover for my diploma?

You do not need to let us know that you will not attend your ceremony. If you are moving, you should change your address on ISIS before leaving campus.

Students electing not to attend are invited to stop by Graduation Analysis, 1 Jessup Hall, weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to receive a complimentary diploma cover. If you wish to have a diploma cover mailed to you, send a check for $4 and your name/address to UI Graduation Analysis, 1 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242-1316.

When will I receive my diploma? How do I make an address change?

Diplomas will be mailed to successful candidates in late June. Your diploma will be mailed to the most recent residing address you reported to the University. Be sure to update your address on ISIS before leaving campus, if your address will change! Diplomas will not be forwarded by the US Postal Service.

If you would like your diploma to be mailed to an address other than where you will be residing (for example, to your parents' home), go to Graduation Analysis, 1 Jessup Hall, to fill out a Diploma Only Address Change form prior to May 17th.

The final academic or credentialing document will not be released if you have financial indebtedness to the University.

If you would like your diploma to be mailed to an address other than where you will be residing (for example, to your parents' home), go to Graduation Analysis, 1 Jessup Hall, to fill out a Diploma Only Address Change form prior to May 17th.

Would I be able to purchase a DVD of my commencement ceremony?

UITV will present live commencement ceremonies. UITV program schedule may be found at:  http://www.its.uiowa.edu/tns/uitvschedule/Commencement.htm. 

Recorded ceremonies will be archived on the web for on-demand playback. To access these programs and information regarding the purchase of a DVD copy of any commencement ceremony, click on the Commencement link at the top of the UITV program schedule page.

Congratulations!

 

Prepared by the University of Iowa

Office of the Registrar

1 Jessup Hall

Iowa City IA 52242

The University of Iowa does not discriminate in its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, religion, sex, age or handicap. The University also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to University facilities without reference to affectional or associational preference. For additional information on nondiscrimination policies, contact the Coordinator for Title IX and Section 504 in the Office of Affirmative Action, telephone (319) 335 - 0705, 202 Jessup Hall, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242.