Graduates should plan to arrive for the ceremony with appropriate regalia in hand by 3:00 p.m. Graduates will enter Carver-Hawkeye Arena through the East Doors and proceed down the arena stairs to the main floor to check-in. 

When checking in, graduates will be asked to verify the phonetic spelling of their name and given a card with that verified spelling. This card is to be given to the name reader prior to walking across the stage during the ceremony. If graduating with academic honors, honors distinction cords will be distributed at this time as well.

After checking in, graduates may proceed to the graduate seating area and sit down. To ensure a timely start to the ceremony, graduates should be in their seats no later than 15 minutes prior to the start time of the ceremony. We'll begin promptly at 4:00 p.m.

If a graduate needs any special accommodations, please contact Ashley Meincke at ashley-meincke@uiowa.edu for assistance with making the appropriate arrangements.

Note: The temperature in Carver-Hawkeye Arena in May can be difficult to predict. We recommend bringing in a factory-sealed water bottle or an empty, reusable water bottle less than one gallon and dressing in layers, as the facility can become very warm. Carver-Hawkeye Arena is not a temperature-controlled facility.

The doors to Carver-Hawkeye Arena will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. No tickets are required for the event. However, it is encouraged that guests arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony in order to pass through security and find a seat.

Traffic delays should be expected at all venues. Areas surrounding Carver-Hawkeye Arena will likely be congested with traffic from other campus events; please plan accordingly.

Complementary parking is available in the locations listed below. Additional information is provided on the Carver-Hawkeye Arena Information and Policies webpage under the "Parking" heading.

• Parking will be available on a first-come first-served basis within walking distance at parking lots 40, 33 (Dental Visitor), 43 (Kinnick), 65 (Finkbine), and 75 (Arena Commuter). 
• Guests with disabilities who have a state-issued ADA parking placard or license plate will be permitted to use Lot 46, adjacent to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. From Lot 46 guests should enter through the west doors.

Guests should enter through the south and west doors of the venue. (Graduates only may use the east doors for express entry. Entering through the east doors is not required for graduates, but it is highly recommended. Only staff, volunteers, and platform officials are to use the north doors. The north doors are not open to the public.)

Commencement ceremonies at Carver-Hawkeye Arena follow the clear bag policy. A list of allowed and prohibited items is provided under the "Security Policy" heading of the Carver-Hawkeye Arena Information and Policies webpage.

If graduates have a guest(s) planning to attend who needs special accommodations, please contact Ashley Meincke (ashley-meincke@uiowa.edu) immediately for assistance with making the appropriate arrangements. In addition, accessibility, parking, and elevator policy information is provide under the "Information for Guests with Disabilities or Limited Mobility and Elevator Policy" heading of the  Carver-Hawkeye Arena Information and Policies webpage.

Doors to the arena will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony.

Security

All doors into Carver-Hawkeye Arena are equipped with the latest technology in walk-through metal detectors that graduates and guests will need to pass through for entry. Graduates and guests will not need to empty their pockets or belongings unless instructed by arena security.

Prohibited items

No backpacks, large bags, packages, wrapped gifts, balloons, banners/signs, flowers, strollers, car seats, tabacco of any kind, or outside food and beverages (with the exception of one factory sealed water bottle or empty reusable water bottle) are allowed at Carver-Hawkeye Arena during this event. See full list of prohibited items within the policies linked below.

Allowed items

Carver-Hawkeye Arena has a clear bag policy. The following items are allowed inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. All permitted items and patrons are subject to search and will be tagged at entrance.

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC that do not exceed 12"x6"x12"
• Clutch bags that do no exceed 4.5"x6.5"
• Factory-sealed water bottle or empty, refillable water bottle [limit one (1) per guest,  under one (1) gallon]
• Medically necessary items (including equipment for nursing parents and diaper bags)

The full list of policies can be found on the Carver-Hawkeye Arena Venue webpage.

Graduates will already be seated on the floor and we'll call the ceremony to order. We'll begin with a welcome from Associate Dean Jennifer Blackhurst, followed by the commencement address, conferral of degrees, presenting of graduates, and ending with closing remarks.

For the presenting of graduates, participants will be invited to the stage front to be recognized individually. After handing their name card (received at check-in) to the name reader at the podium, graduates will shake hands and receive their diploma cover from Associate Dean Blackhurst. Graduates will then walk briskly to center stage to shake hands with Dean Amy Kristof-Brown and a university official. Following this, graduates continue off stage to have their professional picture taken before returning to their seat.

Following the closing remarks, graduates will be asked to stand, and the platform committee will then lead the recessional out of the ceremony auditorium and back to the graduate staging area.

Though the actual length of the event is dependent upon the number of participants, the Iowa MBA Commencement Ceremony is approximately just over one hour in length typically.

For those unable to attend the ceremony, the livestream can be accessed on the UI Iowa MBA Commencement Ceremony webpage.

For graduates attending the commencement ceremony, the appropriate regalia listed below is required to be worn:

• University of Iowa Masters Gown
• Mortarboard Cap
• Masters Hood
• Black tassel

To ensure consistency and quality of regalia, the University of Iowa has transitioned to rentals for all graduates. The masters rental includes all items listed above with the gown and hood needing to be returned while the mortarboard cap and tassel can be kept. (If the gown and hood are not returned, the purchaser will be charged.) While at a significantly higher cost, the option to purchase fine-quality custom keeper regalia is available if a graduate prefers to do so.

Regalia ordering deadlines & return process

Order as soon as possible! Rental orders are delivered approximately three weeks after the order is placed. For those who chose to purchase their regalia, a minimum of six weeks for delivery should be allotted in order to avoid additional costs. (International orders are accepted, but delivery time varies.)

Shipping Option Selection Tip: The Hawk Shop and University Bookstore will not be open in time on the day of the ceremony to pick up a regalia order. Unless a graduate plans to pick up their order a day or two prior to the event, the ship to home address option should be selected. For Hawk Shop and University Bookstore hours, check out the Store Hours on the Hawk Shop and University Bookstore website.

Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore for pickup option (Rentals Only)

• If regalia rental order is shipped to the Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore, the order should be placed no later than TBD. (No additional shipping charge for this option.)
• If regalia rental order was picked up from the Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore, the appropriate rental items should be returned to the Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore.

Shipping to home address option (Rentals Only)

• If the regalia rental order is shipped to a home address, the order should be placed no later than TBD. (This option includes a shipping charge.)
• If regalia rental order was shipped to a home address, the appropriate items should be returned using the prepaid shipping label that came with the order. (If the prepaid label was lost, generate a new prepaid label here.)

Miss the ordering deadlines above?

• While graduates are encouraged to order through the Herff Jones Online Apparel Portal to be guaranteed a full selection of sizes and tassel colors, the Iowa Hawk Shop will have a limited selection of regalia available in store beginning TBD. (Important: Beginning TBD, a $20 late fee for regalia rentals or purchases made in store.)
  • Important: The Hawk Shop and University Bookstore will not be open in time on the day of the ceremony to purchase regalia. An in-store regalia purchase must be done prior to the morning of the ceremony. For Hawk Shop and University Bookstore hours, check out the Store Hours on the Hawk Shop and University Bookstore website.
• If regalia rental order was purchased from the Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore, the appropriate rental items should be returned to the Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore.

Regalia ordering process

Below are the steps to rent or purchase the required regalia. If a graduate would like to rent some items while purchasing others, this can be done using a combination of the instructions below.

To RENT required regalia items listed above, complete the following steps:

1. Navigate to Herff Jones Online Apparel Portal
2. Scroll down to "Rent Master's & Doctoral Regalia" and click "Order Now"
3. In "Choose your school, campus, or organization:" box, populate dropdown menus as follows then click "SHOP"
   • Master's & Doctoral Rental Regalia
   • Master's Student
   • Select preferred shipping option
4. Select "Cap & Gown" at top of the page
5. Scroll down and select "Graduation Regalia" 
6. Under "Cap & Gown Information heading, enter needed information and select "Add to Cart"
   • In "Area of Study" dropdown menu, select "Iowa MBA"
7. Review "Order Summary" for accuracy and then click "CHECKOUT"
8. Follow the prompts to complete order

While there are other regalia rental options that can be selected in the “Graduation Packages” section, the “Graduation Regalia” option is the minimum rental selection that provides all required regalia items.

To PURCHASE required regalia items listed above, complete the following steps:

1. Go to Herff Jones Online Apparel Portal
2. Scroll down to “Purchase Fine Quality Masters or Doctoral Regalia” and click “Order Now”
3. Under “Master Regalia” heading, click “Purchase Master Regalia”
4. Select all items under “Check Products You Wish to Order” and answer populated questions
   • For Master Hood question, select “Commerce, Accountancy, Business (Drab)”
5. Click “Add to Cart”
6. Review “Shopping Cart” for accuracy and then click “Proceed to Checkout”
7. Follow the prompts to complete order

For questions about the Herff Jones Online Apparel Portal, contact gradmidwest@gmail.com or (952) 447-4449.

For in-store Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore purchase and regalia pick-up questions, contact gabrielle-mcilvanie@uiowa.edu or (319) 335-3179

Graduates are required to wear the appropriate regalia during the commencement ceremony - see Commencement apparel section for details.

If time permits, masters gowns should be pressed with a cool iron or allowed to hang in order to remove wrinkles. Flowers or other adornments may not be attached to gowns. Caps are to be worn with the mortarboard horizontal and the tassel on the left. Caps should be worn from the start of the processional until exiting ceremony auditorium.

When wearing your masters gown, please note that your outfit may be visible from above the neckline and/or below the hemline of the gown depending on the size and fit. We recommend that students consider wearing a collared dress shirt and tie, collared blouse, or shallow scoop neck top with khakis, dark-colored dress pants, or a skirt. A dress with a similar neckline and a hemline shorter than the master's gown is an option as well. Dress footwear should be comfortable as there will be a good amount of walking and standing throughout the event. Ultimately, we encourage students to try on their graduation day outfit with their gown (sitting and standing) to make sure they are comfortable with their outfit selection. 

Besides the name card, nothing should be taken on stage by graduates during the ceremony. Graduates are encouraged to leave any personal items including jackets and purses with their guest(s) prior to checking in as the graduate staging area will not be secured during the ceremony. 

Honor distinction cords for graduates

Those graduating with academic honors will receive honors distinction cords at check-in on the day of the event.

Iowa MBA candidates who have achieved at least a 3.80 cumulative grade point average. During the commencement ceremony, these individuals wear gold honor distinction cords.

Due to required printing lead times as well as the timing of the ceremony, “With Distinction” notations are based on the cumulative grade point average calculated at time of print submission deadline. Final qualification for graduating “With Distinction” is based on the cumulative grade point average through the completion of the degree. Therefore, “With Distinction” designations reflected on official University of Iowa records may differ from those indicated during this program.

Other recognition for graduates

Various university clubs, groups, and organizations provide a commemorative graduation item to its members. These items range from medals and medallions to cords and stoles that can be worn during the commencement ceremony.

Many of these items are provided by the managing unit. As an example, the Iowa Veteran Education, Transition, and Support (IVETS) Office contacts graduating veterans via their university email address approximately one month prior to the end of their graduating semester regarding the provision of an honorary sash. Graduating veterans can also contact the IVETS Office (ui-ivets@uiowa.edu). If not provided by the managing unit, such recognition items can be obtained through the Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore.

Please note that the Graduate and Professional Programs division do not manage or maintain a comprehensive list of recognition items.

Diplomas

University of Iowa graduates with no outstanding University charges receive one 8.5" x 11" diploma per degree earned.

Diplomas are mailed by the Office of the Registrar using the respective Diploma Mailing Address of each graduate. If a Diploma Mailing Address is not listed for a student, the diploma is mailed to the Residing Address listed in MyUI. This mailing process begins once final grades for the degree are processed.

Students can expect to receive their diploma approximately eight weeks after their graduating session.

Certificates

A certified electronic and/or print version of certificate awards are available for purchase.

Please wait to order certificates until after degrees have been conferred and after receiving a conferral email from Graduation Services.

For more information, visit the Office of the Registrar Diplomas page.

Iowa MBA commencement program

On the day of the ceremony, participating graduates receive an Iowa MBA Commencement Ceremony Program.

Participating graduate names including applicable honors distinction along with other details to commemorate the occasion are included.

This program is produced and distributed by the Tippie College of Business Graduate and Professional Programs division.

University ceremonial program

The Office of the Registrar produced University of Iowa Commencement Program is available in PDF format on the Commencement Programs page.

This program includes a listing of degree candidates from each college, sorted by degree type.

Fall and summer degree candidates are listed in the fall program for their graduating session, while spring degree candidates are listed in the spring program for their graduating session.

Important points of note:

• The exclusion of a student's name from the program may be due to a directory restriction on their academic record.
  • To check data restrictions settings in MyUI, visit the Student Data Restriction page.
• Applying for a degree after the degree application deadline may result in exclusion of the student name from the commencement program.
• Inclusion in the commencement program is not tied to participation in a ceremony.
• Publishing names of degree candidates in the program booklet is not a verification of completion of degree requirements.
• All graduates are listed in the program according to the time at which they earned or are expected to earn a degree.
• Using their university email account, students may request to not include their name in the program by contacting UI-commencement@uiowa.edu.

If you have additional questions about the commencement program please contact UI-commencement@uiowa.edu.

Through Herff Jones, a variety of personalized graduation products are available for purchase. These items include graduation announcements, college rings, and diploma frames.

Orders may be placed online or by phone at (800) 837-4235. Please order accordingly as delivery time is approximately two weeks.