Information for Students Participating in

The Graduate College

Commencement Ceremony

Saturday, May 17 th at 3:00 p.m.

Carver Hawkeye Arena

(Degree candidates should plan to arrive no later than 2:15 p.m.)

 

What should I wear?

Master's candidates are required to wear a black gown and black cap with appropriate color tassel. This apparel can be purchased at the University Book Store, 63 IMU, and is yours to keep. Master's apparel (cap, gown, tassel) is $21.75.

Doctoral candidates must wear University of Iowa custom apparel . The custom doctoral attire can be rented only at the University Book Store. The rental fee is $76.50.

Attire can be purchased or rented at the Book Store:

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

Friday, May 2 from 9 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.

The Book Store accepts cash, check, Visa and Master Card.

Graduates unable to visit the Book Store in person should send a personal check payable to “University Book Store” (to arrive no later than May 2nd) 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 Carver Hawkeye Arena prior to the start of the ceremony.

Master's candidates planning to wear academic apparel obtained from any other source should contact Commencements at 335–0296 since seating is initially planned on the basis of apparel sales. 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, as 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 left. They should be worn during the Processional, while degrees are being conferred and during the Recessional. They may be removed at other times.

Can I get professional photos from my ceremony?

Professional photographers from Jolesch Photography will be taking two photos of each candidate at the ceremonies: a more formal, “posed” photo and a “candid” photo 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 you will fill out at the University Book Store when you purchase your cap and gown. Bookstore personnel will complete this information for mail in orders. Students should check for accuracy.

Approximately 7-10 days after graduation, you can select and purchase photos online at: http://www.joleschorders.com/

What information will my guests need?

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 special parking and/or reserved seating, call Commencements at 335–0296 or Graduation Analysis at 335-0228 by May 2nd.

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/

Is there a rehearsal?

No, so please read this information thoroughly to learn what will happen and what is expected.

What time should I arrive at Carver Hawkeye Arena for the Graduate College ceremony?

All students should plan to arrive no later than 2:15 p.m. Arriving earlier will give you a few minutes for photos with family and friends. Also, there will be less congestion.

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.

Graduates are seated by degree being received. Join your group to line up where signs indicate. A marshal will be there to direct you.

Masters candidates are divided into alphabetic groups of approximately even numbers, usually A – L and M – Z, but not in strict alphabetical order. You should report to the Name Card Hand-Out Table appropriate to your last name and degree. The tables are situated around the upper concourse. Tell the staff member your last and first names. The yellow Name Card you completed when you purchased apparel at the Book Store will be returned to you at this time. Hold on to it!

Doctoral candidates who will be hooded by an adviser should report to section NN to pair of with your hooding faculty. Then line up in the designated doctoral line according to the hooding faculty's last name. You will participate in the Processional together and will sit together. Check that your adviser's name is on the bottom of the card. If you do not have a specific faculty present to hood you, there will be a hooding team on the stage who will hood you when you cross the stage.

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 Graduate College program and a general University booklet listing all graduates will be on the chair.

The first part of the program will include a Welcome, several brief speeches, the Charge to the Graduates, and The Conferring of Degrees.

For the Presentation of Graduates, the degree candidates will be invited to come to the stage to be recognized individually. You will need to take your Name Card with you.

Doctoral candidates will hand the Name Card to the person reading names at the microphone. After your name is read, walk to the designated spot near the podium to be hooded by your adviser or members of the Graduate faculty. After the hooding, proceed across the stage to shake hands with the University officials. Following the posed photo taken as you exit the stage, you and your adviser will return to the opposite end of your original row of seats, cross to your seat and be seated. NOTE: If your faculty advisor will be hooding more than one student, it will be necessary for your advisor in consultation with his advisees to predetermine where you will collectively assemble prior to processing down to the floor of Carver Hawkeye Arena for the commencement ceremony. 

Master's candidates will hand the card to the person reading names at the microphone and walk briskly to center stage to shake hands with the University officials. Following the posed photo taken as you exit the stage, you will return to the opposite end of your original row of seats, cross to your seat and be seated.

Following the closing remarks, degree candidates should stand and immediately begin an orderly Recessional under the marshals' direction.

What accommodations will there be for students with disabilities?

Graduates with physical disabilities who plan to participate in the ceremony should call 335–0296 by May 2nd, to make necessary arrangements.

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.

•  Cell phones in the graduate seating area must be turned off.

•  No flowers, purses, balloons, gifts 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?

You do not need to let us know. If your address will change, you should change your address on ISIS before leaving campus, in order to receive your diploma and any other mailings from The University of Iowa.

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?

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. If your address will change, be sure to update your address on ISIS before leaving campus.  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 of Iowa.

 

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.