Fall 2024 Commencement is Here!

You are receiving this message because our records indicate that you have RSVP'd "I plan to participate" for fall 2024 commencement.

Venues and Regalia

Commencement Venues

All collegiate commencement ceremonies will take place in either Carver-Hawkeye Arena or Hancher Auditorium in fall 2024. Doors to all ceremonies open one hour prior to the ceremony start time, no tickets are required for any ceremony.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Carver-Hawkeye Arena has policies and procedures that apply to graduates and guests for all ceremonies.

• Map and Directions
• Parking
• Entering the Arena
  • East doors are for Graduate Express entry only. You are not required to enter through the east doors but it is highly recommended. 
  • Guests use south and west doors.
• Security
  • Please Note: There are new security enhancements for fall 2024 including walk-through metal detectors. The clear bag policy remains in effect.
  • No purses, backpacks, large bags, packages, wrapped gifts, balloons, flowers, or outside food and beverage are allowed inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena during this event. No air horns or alcohol are permitted.
• Accessibility

Hancher Auditorium

Hancher Auditorium has policies and procedures that apply to graduates and guests for all ceremonies.

• Map and Directions
• Parking
• Security
• Accessibility

Regalia

All graduates are expected to wear regalia at their ceremonies. All regalia must be in hand prior to your commencement ceremony. Regalia will not be available to purchase or rent at the ceremonies. You can still purchase or rent regalia at the Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore located in the Iowa Memorial Union.

Each college has a specific color tassel associated with their ceremony.

• Undergraduate students begin with their tassel on the right side; during the tassel turning portion of the ceremony, you will move the tassel from the right to the left.
• Graduate and professional students begin with their tassel on the left.

In addition to earning a degree, many students qualify for other academic recognitions. 

Additional information is available on the apparel page of the commencement website.

Name Cards

The university uses printed cards to display your information for commencement. Once you arrive at the ceremony, there will be a designated area where you can pick up your card. Card pick-up information will be communicated by your college or there will be signage at the venue entrances to direct you.

The card will display details that will be announced during the ceremony. If name pronunciation information is not printed on your card, you may write it below your name at the ceremony. You will have your card scanned and then pass your card to the name reader before you cross the stage.

The card also contains your HawkID and other identifying information you submitted with your RSVP, like your permanent address, non-UI email address, and phone number. If your identifying information is not included, you will be asked to fill out the back of the name card so the photographer can send you a free picture proof from the ceremony.

Programs and Commemorative Slides

Commencement Program

The University of Iowa Commencement Program is a listing of degree candidates from each college, sorted by degree type. Publishing the names of degree candidates in the program is not a verification of completion of degree requirements. Inclusion in the commencement program is not tied to participation in a ceremony.

• All graduates are listed in the program according to the time at which they earned or are expected to earn a degree.
  • Summer and fall graduate names appear in the fall program even if the student is participating in a spring ceremony.
• Applying for a degree after the degree application deadline may result in the exclusion of the student's name from the commencement program, or, if your name, address, or academic information are restricted in MyUI from directory or public release.

Graduates will receive a copy of the commencement program at their ceremonies. A PDF downloadable version of the program will be available on the programs webpage approximately two weeks prior to the first ceremony.

Commemorative Slides

You can download a branded University of Iowa graduation slide from the RSVP portal in MyUI to share with family and friends. The commemorative slide is for personal use only; the slide will not be displayed during the ceremony or broadcast in the livestream.

Livestreams and Guest Information

Livestreams

If you have guests who are not able to be here in person, we invite them to join you virtually for the University of Iowa commencement ceremonies. Each college will host its own personalized ceremony, featuring messages from various individuals specifically chosen to honor and address graduates. During these ceremonies, degrees will be conferred, and graduates who have RSVP’d ‘I plan to participate’ will be individually recognized.

To access the livestream, visit the individual ceremony pages and navigate to the ‘Livestream’ section. If you miss the premiere, don’t worry—the ceremonies will be available on the University of Iowa YouTube channel after the conclusion of the ceremony.

Guest Info

Feel free to share this email with your guests. You can also share the guest information page on the commencement website or encourage them to sign up for the fall 2024 commencement subscription list.