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. Staff will be available to answer questions and provide assistance throughout the ceremony.

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 on the main floor 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.

Accommodations

Graduates are seated at the lowest level of Carver-Hawkeye Arena during the ceremony and will go across the stage to be recognized. If a graduate needs any special accommodations, please contact Ashley Meincke at ashley-meincke@uiowa.edu at least four weeks before the ceremony for assistance with making appropriate arrangements. 

Important notes

• Carver-Hawkeye Arena follows a clear bag policy.  
• Everyone will pass through a metal detector and be asked to open their coats or commencement gowns for visual inspection. Campus Safety officials will search all bags brought into the building.
• The temperature in Carver-Hawkeye Arena in May can be difficult to predict. We recommend bringing in one factory-sealed water bottle or one empty, reusable water bottle less than one gallon. Dressing in layers may be beneficial as the facility can become very warm. Carver-Hawkeye Arena is not air conditioned.
• Please review the Important information about Carver-Hawkeye Arena section for additional details.

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.

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. The north doors are not open to the public.)

Commencement ceremonies at Carver-Hawkeye Arena follow a clear bag policy. Please review the full policy for a list of allowed and prohibited items. 

The ceremony will have an ASL sign language interpreter present and will be livestreamed with captions enabled. 

Accessible Seating

Accessible seating in Carver-Hawkeye Arena is available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved. There is no public elevator usage available during commencement due to state fire code. Please review the Elevator Policy.

Accessible seating is available on the upper concourse level in sections K through N (which is at ground level where you will enter). We ask that this space be limited to the individuals needing accessible seating and no more than two companions so that we can accommodate as many individuals as possible. 

Seating will also be available in the Feller Club Room, which is climate-controlled, though seating in the Feller Club Room does not have a direct view of the stage. The ceremony will be live streamed on a large screen for guests in the Feller Club Room. We again ask that this space be limited to the individuals needing this seating, with no more than two companions. No food or beverage will be permitted in this room.

Doors to the arena will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Please review the Carver-Hawkeye Arena webpage for all commencement-related policies.

Security

All doors into Carver-Hawkeye Arena are equipped with walk-through metal detectors that graduates and guests will need to pass through for entry. Everyone will be asked to open their coats or commencement gowns for visual inspection. Campus Safety officials will search all bags brought into the building.

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 not 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)

Prohibited items

The following items are NOT allowed inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Admission will be denied to anyone carrying the following items. 

• Wrapped gifts, balloons, flowers
• Alcoholic beverages
• Backpacks, purses, handbags and/or cinch bags (Please refer to the Allowed Items section above for bag guidance.)
• Banners and signs
• Coolers, glass containers, backpack hydration systems, or refillable water bottles over one (1) gallon
• Large lens cameras (6″ or more), video cameras or tripods
• Noisemakers, strobe lights or any other disruptive devices
• Outside food (unless medically indicated)
• Non-service animals
• Strollers or car seats
• Tobacco of any kind (including e-cigarettes)
• Umbrellas
• Weapons of any kind

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

Temperature

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 air conditioned.

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 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 or south doors.
  • Accessible parking in Lot 46 is limited to a first-come first-served basis. Once full, drop-offs will be allowed and then drivers will be directed to overflow accessible parking in Lot 40.

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 end with closing remarks.

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

Following the closing remarks, graduates will be asked to stand, and the academic committee will exit the floor and then graduates will be dismissed.

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.

Ceremony Livestream

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

Graduates participating in the commencement ceremony are required to wear the specified regalia as outlined below:

• 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 required items. The gown and hood need 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. If a graduate prefers, they do have the option to purchase fine-quality custom keeper regalia, but it is at a significantly higher cost.

Regalia ordering deadlines & return process

Order as soon as possible! Rental orders arrive in about three weeks after the order is placed. For those who chose to purchase their regalia, allow at least six weeks for delivery to avoid extra costs. (International orders are accepted, but delivery time varies.)

Shipping Option Tip: Check the Store Hours on the Hawk Shop and University Bookstore website for operating hours during commencement weekend. If you choose the pickup option, ensure you can pick up your regalia before the ceremony and return it to the store afterward. Note that the Hawk Shop may close before the ceremony ends. If store hours do not fit your schedule, select the ship to home address option.

Shipping to home address option (Rentals Only)

• If the regalia rental order is shipped to a home address, place the order no later than April 17, 2025. (A shipping fee will apply.)
• 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.)

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, place the order no later than March 14, 2025. (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 must be returned to the Iowa Hawk Shop and University Bookstore.
• Orders will be available for pickup beginning April 17 at the Iowa Hawk Shop.

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 in late March or early April. 
  • Important: Check the Store Hours on the Hawk Shop and University Bookstore website for operating hours. An in-store regalia purchase must be done prior to the ceremony. 
• 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 & Doctoral Rental Regalia
   • Master Student
   • Select preferred shipping option
4. Select "Cap & Gown" at top of the page
5. Scroll down and select "Required 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 “Required 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. On the left-hand side, select the “Master Regalia” button
4. Select all items under “Check Products You Wish to Order” (master gown, master hood, and mortarboard cap)  
   1. Answer populated questions
   2. 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 (regalia) section above 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, 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 should not bring any personal items with them into the graduate seating area, with the exception of medically necessary items or one factory-sealed water bottle or one empty, refillable bottle under one gallon. Any personal items should be left with their guest(s) prior to checking in as the graduate seating 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 are designated as graduating "With Distinction." 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 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 a fee.

Please wait to purchase 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 known at the time of printing 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.