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Information for Students Participating in

The College of Law

Commencement Ceremony

Saturday, May 17 th at 1:00 p.m.

Hancher Auditorium

Degree Candidates should plan to arrive no later than 12:30 p.m.

 

What should I wear?

All degree candidates are required to wear a black doctoral gown and black cap with a purple 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.

 

Apparel is $27.75, including hood rental. Hood rental only is $4. University Book Store accepts cash, check, Visa and Master Card. Apparel is yours to keep, except for doctoral hoods.

Degree candidates unable to visit the Book Store in person should send a check payable to “University Book Store” to University Book Store, 63 IMU, Iowa City IA 52242-1317. If you are an Iowa resident, please add 6% sales tax. Include a note stating the degree to be received. Mail orders will be available for pickup at the Hancher lobby prior to the ceremony.

Degree candidates planning to wear academic apparel obtained from any other source should contact Commencements at 335–0296 no later than May 2nd, since seating is initially planned on the basis of apparel sales.

At the ceremony: Men are expected to wear ties; jackets are not required. Flowers are not worn on gowns or carried. Caps or gowns decorated with inappropriate messages will not be permitted.

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 degree candidate: a “candid” taken while shaking hands with a University official and a more formal, “posed” photo taken after being recognized onstage. To receive a complimentary proof, 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.

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

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

The ceremony is open to the public. There is no limit to the number of guests you can invite. Doors open an hour before the starting time. Seats are not reserved and tickets are not required for admission.

No backpacks or large bags are allowed. Hancher reserves 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 seating, please 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 get a sense of what will happen and what is expected. The Law School will provide you with more detailed information closer to graduation.

What time should I be at the College of Law ceremony?

Graduates should plan to arrive no later than 12:30 p.m. Arriving earlier will give you a few minutes for photos with family and friends. Also, there will be less congestion.

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 coat check area in the Hancher lobby.

When arriving at Hancher, report to the name-card table on the upper concourse. Staff members or students will be on hand to distribute your name card. This card will be handed to the faculty member who announces your name as you cross the stage. If the faculty member needs help in pronouncing your name, please write a phonetic pronunciation.

After picking up the name card, you are to assemble in alphabetical order. As the time for the procession approaches, you will be asked to line up on the stairs. A marshal will be there to provide direction. The procession will begin precisely at 1 p.m.

What happens at the ceremony?

Your marshal will escort your group to a designated seating area on stage. You should sit down as soon as you reach your chair.  A program, listing the graduates names will be available on your chair. Next come a Welcome, several brief speeches, the Charge to the Graduates and The Conferring of Degrees.

For the Presentation of Graduates, the candidates will be invited row by row to come forward to be recognized individually. Take your Name Card with you, hand it to the person reading names at the microphone and walk briskly to be hooded, shake hands with the Dean, and receive your diploma. Following a posed portrait taken backstage, 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, candidates remain standing and immediately 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.

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

•  No purses, gifts, balloons, flowers 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.

What if I choose not to attend my ceremony?

Notify the College of Law Dean's Office if you will not be attending your ceremony. If your address will change, you should change your address on ISIS before leaving campus.

How do I request a duplicate diploma?

Duplicate diplomas are $45. A notarized request and payment should be sent to Graduation Analysis at the address below. The request must include your name, social security/student ID number, degree received, month and year of award, an address to send the newly created diploma and your signature. This service can take up to two weeks.

Facsimile copies (often required by licensing boards, etc.) are a copy of an existing diploma printed on security paper. If you have your University diploma and will send us a clear photocopy, we will put the University seal on it along with a notarized statement saying it is a true certified copy. There is no charge for this. It is usually mailed back to you within two working days.

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.