Commencement Week Info
Commencement Week Info

Fall 2022 Commencement Week is Here!

Welcome to fall 2022 commencement. We are excited to celebrate the accomplishments of the fall 2022 graduating class!

Fall 2022 commencement ceremonies will begin with the College of Education on Dec. 15 and end with the College of Engineering on Dec. 18. Ceremonies will be held in Carver-Hawkeye Arena and Hancher Auditorium.

Tickets are not required, and seating is not limited for any fall 2022 collegiate commencement ceremony. 

Venue Information

Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Doors to the arena will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Guests should use the south or west doors; students can use either or those entrances or the graduate only east doors for express entry. 

Please Note: There is construction around the arena, please allow extra time for parking and travel. Accessible parking in Lot 46 is limited to a first-come first-served basis. Once full, there will be no drop-offs in Lot 46. Overflow accessible parking can be found in Lot 40. 

Carver-Hawkeye Arena now has a clear bag policy. Everyone will be asked to open their coats or graduation gown for visual inspection.

No backpacks, large bags, packages, wrapped gifts, balloons, or outside food and beverage (with the exception of one factory sealed or empty reusable water bottle) are allowed at Carver-Hawkeye Arena during this event.

Guests may choose to sit anywhere in the arena stands once inside the venue. During the ceremony students will cross the stage from the left to the right. If you wish to see your student's face crossing the stage, it is recommended to sit on right side of the arena facing the stage.

Guests with disabilities are welcome to view the ceremony from the upper concourse level. Wheelchair and scooter spaces can be found in sections K – N on this level. Space is limited so we ask that guests seat themselves and two companions in this area. Guests should provide their own wheelchair if needed. Guests with disabilities or limited mobility can also find seating in the Feller Club Room. This room is equipped with large television screens and commencement ceremonies can be watched live from here. No food or beverage will be permitted in this room.

Venue Map

Students can descend to the floor and find the appropriate section to retrieve their name card and find a seat. Students should not take anything (besides their phone) to the floor.

Full security policies along with driving directions and information for guests with disabilities or limited mobility can be found on the Carver-Hawkeye Arena page.

Hancher Auditorium

Doors to the auditorium will open one hour prior to the ceremonies.

It is recommended that bags and coats be left in vehicle trunks, there is no bag or coat check at Hancher.

Driving directions and a full list of fall 2022 ceremonies can be found on the Hancher Auditorium page.

Additional Info

The following email was sent on Dec. 12 to fall 2022 RSVP respondents: Commencement Week is Here!

Email the UI Commencement Team if you have any questions.

We look forward to seeing you and celebrating the achievements of the fall 2022 graduating class in December!

Livestreams and Ceremony Videos

Livestreams

All ceremonies will premiere at their scheduled time and day and will be livestreamed with captions enabled. The livestream will be located on the collegiate ceremony page in the "Watch Live" section.

List of Fall 2022 Ceremonies

Every college will have their own commencement ceremony, tailored to their college and including messages from a variety of individuals chosen specifically to honor and address graduates of that college. Degrees will be conferred and graduates who have RSVP'd "Attending" will be individually recognized during the commencements. 

Screenshot Example:

Ceremony Videos

If you cannot tune in during the premiere, the ceremonies will be available for viewing on the University of Iowa YouTube channel shortly after the premiere concludes.

Things to Keep in Mind

Commencement Apparel

All students are expected to wear academic regalia at their ceremonies. If a student has not obtained official regalia, they should do so as soon as possible. Please see information below.

Please note: Apparel will not be available at either venue the day of the ceremony. 

Undergraduate and Professional Graduates

The Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore is open and has apparel available for purchase in person along with other items related to commencement. More information can be found on their website.

Apparel will not be available for purchase at the ceremonies. 

Graduate College Graduates

Graduate student apparel can no longer be rented or purchased online. The deadline for renting apparel was Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 10:59 p.m. The deadline for purchasing apparel was Saturday, Oct. 15 at 10:59 p.m. If you have questions, please contact Herff Jones at gradmidwest@gmail.com or 952-447-4449. It is the student's responsibility to return rented apparel to Herff Jones within one week of the ceremony. Apparel cannot be returned at the ceremony and must be shipped directly to Herff Jones using the prepaid shipping label included in your apparel box.

 

Student Recognitions

Commemorative Slides

Students 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 student's use only, the slide will not be displayed during the ceremony or broadcast in the livestream.

Commencement Program

All students will receive a commencement program the day of the ceremony. 

The Fall 2022 Commencement Program is available to download. Please see the program page for detailed information. 

Name Cards

The university uses printed cards to display a student's information for commencement. Once the student arrives at the ceremony, there will be a designated area where they can pick up their card. Card pick-up information will be communicated by the college to the student, or there will be signage at the venue entrances to direct them.

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

The University of Iowa