What should I wear?

All graduates are required to wear a black gown and black cap with olive green tassel. Apparel can be purchased at University Book Store, 63 IMU:

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.

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

Graduates 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 your height and degree to be received. Mail orders will be available for pickup at Hancher prior to the ceremony.

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. 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 will be taking two photos of each degree candidate: a more formal, “posed” photo taken after 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 you hand to the Reader as you are recognized onstage.

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

The ceremony is open to the public. Doors open an hour before the starting time. Seats are not reserved and tickets are not required. Please contact the Office of Academic Affairs, 335-8795 or e-mail helen-popham@uiowa.edu with an approximate number of guests who plan to attend. The College of Pharmacy will host a reception following the ceremony.

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.

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

Graduates should plan to arrive no later than 9:15 a.m. Arriving by 9:15 a.m. 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. Helen Popham and Teresa Ahrens will distribute name cards; please look for them upon arrival.

Join your group to line up where signs indicate. The Processional will begin.

What happens at the ceremony?

Faculty members, including Deans Letendre and Kelly, will escort your group to a designated seating area. You should sit down as soon as you reach your chair.  A program and a general booklet listing the graduates will be available to you on your chair.

The first part 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 degree candidates will be recognized individually. Dean Kelly will ask the candidates to stand (according to rows) and form a line behind him. You will hand your name card to Dean Kelly, who will read your name, and cross over to center stage and shake hands with Dean Letendre and the University of Iowa representative. 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, candi da tes remain standing and immediately begin the Recessional (usually sometime around 11:30) under the associate dean's 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?

Please contact the Office of Academic Affairs at 335-8795 or e-mail patricia-mccormick@uiowa.edu. If your address will change, 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, week da ys between 8 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 have 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.

How do I request a duplicate diploma?

A notarized request should be sent to Graduation Analysis at the address below. The signed request must include your name, social security/student ID number, degree received, month and year of award, a check for $45 payable to the University of Iowa, and an address to send the newly created diploma. 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 a photocopy to Graduation Analysis, we will create a certified copy with the embossed University of Iowa seal on it along with a notarized statement saying the copy is authentic. 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.