Information for Students Participating in

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences,

Tippie College of Business, and

College of Nursing

Commencement Ceremony

(this also includes College of Education and Medicine B.S. graduates)

 

Saturday, December 20th at 9:00 a.m. at Carver Hawkeye Arena

(Graduates: plan to arrive no later than 8:15 a.m. )

 

Can all Liberal Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Medicine (B.S.)and Nursing (BSN) degree candidates attend?

Yes! We do ask that graduates with physical disabilities who plan to participate in the ceremony call 335–0296 to make necessary arrangements.

What should I wear? Where can I buy cap and gown?

All graduates are required to wear a black gown and black cap with appropriate color tassel. Apparel can be purchased at the University Book Store, Old Capitol Mall, Clinton Street, downtown, Iowa City:

Monday - Thursday, December 8 – 11 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Friday, December 12 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Saturday, December 13 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Sunday, December 14 from noon until 4 p.m.

Undergraduate apparel (cap, gown, tassel) is $16.25. The Book Store accepts cash, check, Visa and Master Card.

If you are out of town, mail a personal check to arrive no later than December 12th payable to “University Book Store” to University Book Store, Iowa Memorial Union, 63 IMU, Iowa City IA 52242. If you are an Iowa resident, please add 6% sales tax. Include a note stating your height, cap size (one size fits all or XL) and degree to be received. Orders will be available for pickup at the Book Store table at Carver Hawkeye Arena prior to the start of the ceremony.

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. You must call no later than December 12th.

At the ceremony: Men are expected to wear ties although jackets are not required. Flowers are not worn on gowns or carried in hand. 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 right. They should be worn during the Processional, while degrees are being conferred and during the Recessional. They may be removed other times.

 

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/

 

Can I get professional photos from my ceremony?

Professional photographers from Jolesch Photography will be taking two photos of each candidate: a more formal, “posed” photo taken prior to 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 which you will fill out when you purchase your cap and gown. You will hand this photo name card to the Reader as you are recognized onstage. University Book Store personnel will complete this information for mail-in orders. Students should check for accuracy. Photos will be available online about 7 – 10 days after your ceremony. To purchase photos online go to: http://www.joleschorders.com/

 

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

The ceremony is open to the public. Doors open one hour before the starting time. Seats are not reserved and tickets are not required. Each degree candidate is recognized on stage. The ceremony will probably conclude sometime around noon (allow for traffic congestion afterward if planning lunch reservations).

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 reserved parking and/or special seating, please call Commencements at 335–0228 by December 12th.

 

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 arrive for the ceremony?

Students should plan to arrive no later than 8:15 a.m. Arriving at that time will give you a few minutes for photos with family and friends. 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.

If you arrive with a coat or purse make arrangements to leave these items with a family member or friend. You should not have anything in your hand other than your photo name card when the processional begins and throughout the ceremony.

Graduating students should report to the Name Card Hand-Out Table appropriate to your last name and college. These tables are situated around the upper concourse. Tell the staff member your last and first names. The Name Card you completed when purchasing apparel at the Book Store will be returned to you.  Hold onto it!  The Dean or University of Iowa official will read your name from this card as you cross the stage.

Nursing graduates will process together and will be seated together on the arena floor.

Business graduates will process together and will be seated together on the arena floor.

Liberal Arts & Sciences, Education, and Medicine B.S. students will be seated together on the arena floor.

Maps of the seating assignments will be posted at each card hand-out station.

Join your group to line up where signs indicate. A marshal will be there to direct you. Graduates need not be in strictly alphabetical order, but should sit in with their alphabetic grouping as this is how seating is arranged. Promptly at 9:00 a.m. the Processional will begin.

 

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 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 diploma cover and a program booklet listing the graduates will be on your chair.

Next come a Welcome, several brief speeches, the Charge to the Graduates, The Conferring of Degrees and the Tassel Ceremony.

For the Presentation of Graduates, the candi da tes will be invited to come to the stage to be recognized individually. Your marshal will lead your group to the stage. Take your Name Card with you, hand it to the person reading names at the microphone and walk briskly to center stage to shake hands with the Dean or President. 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 begin the Recessional (usually around noon) 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.

•  No cell phones are permitted in the graduate seating area.

•  No flowers, purses, gifts, balloons, 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 (i.e. December 2008), 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 following December commencement program.

 

What if I choose not to attend my ceremony? How do I get a cover for my diploma?

You do not need to let us know that you will not attend your ceremony. If you are moving, you should change your residing 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? How do I make an address change?

Diplomas will be mailed to successful candidates in late January. Your diploma will be mailed to the most recent residing address you reported to the University. Be sure to update your residing 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 December 12th.

If you do not receive your diploma because you did not update your residing address, or your diploma is returned to the Registrar by the Post Office, because you no longer live at the residing address you list on ISIS, be prepared to send a notarized statement confirming your identity, before your diploma can be forwarded or reissued.

The final academic or credentialing document will not be released if you have financial indebtedness to the University.

 

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.

09/09/08