Complementary parking for commencement at Carver Hawkeye Arena is available in the locations listed here:

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). 

Guests with disabilities who have a state issued disability parking permit (plate, placard, or sticker) will be permitted to use Parking Lot 46, adjacent to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. From Parking Lot 46 guests should enter through the west doors. 

Public Safety officials will search any purses or bags brought into the building. Everyone will be asked to open their coats or graduation gown for visual inspection.

No backpacks, large bags, packages, wrapped gifts, balloons, flowers, umbrellas, or outside food and beverage are allowed at Carver-Hawkeye Arena during this event. Each guest is permitted to bring one sealed, unopened bottle of  water or empty reusable water bottle to fill once inside the arena. Air horns or alcohol are not allowed.

The university uses printed cards to display your information for commencement. Once you arrive at the ceremony, proceed down to the arena floor where you can pick up your card.  The card will display details that will be announced during the ceremony, such as name pronunciation. If name pronunciation information is not printed on your card, you may write it below your name at the ceremony. You will 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, such as 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 proof from the ceremony.

For the Presentation of Graduates, the candidates 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 University of Iowa official.  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 and processional of platform party, candidates will begin to recess in an orderly fashion under the marshals’ direction. 

Commencement is the culminating event of University study for students who choose to attend.   An appropriate and dignified academic atmosphere is absolutely expected so that you, your family, and other guests may enjoy this important gathering. 

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
• Cell phones must be turned off or silenced 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.

All graduates are expected to wear apparel at their ceremonies. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is represented with a white tassel and it should be on the right side of your cap prior to the ceremony.

Make sure you have taken care of your apparel needs prior to the ceremony, apparel will not be available for purchase at the ceremonies.

The Hawk Shop is open and is currently accepting apparel orders along with other items related to commencement. More information can be found on their website.

Apparel Donation Program

Undergraduate Student Government is partnering with the UI Clothing Closet to sponsor a graduation gown donation drive. Students can donate their gowns following their graduation ceremony to provide future graduating Hawkeyes with no-cost access to gowns for their graduation. USG volunteers will have a donation table set up on the Carver Hawkeye Arena concourse (Section II) to collect gowns following the ceremony.