All graduates are expected to wear academic regalia at their ceremonies.

Required purchase for all Carver College of Medicine, Associated Medical Sciences Bachelor graduates:

• Bachelor gown
• Mortarboard cap
• Black & gold tassel with the University seal (worn on the right side at the start of the ceremony)

Required for all Carver College of Medicine, Associated Medical Sciences Master graduates:

• Master gown (rent)
• Dark green master hood (can be borrowed from your program)
• Mortarboard cap (purchase)
• Black & gold tassel with the University seal (purchase) - worn on the left side)

Decorated caps are not allowed at this ceremony. If graduates would like to decorate a cap for photos, they will need to purchase two caps – one to decorate and one to wear for the ceremony.

Ordering information and a link to the apparel portal can be found on the Apparel page.

All regalia must be worn upon arrival at Hancher Auditorium on commencement day. Regalia will not be available to purchase or rent at the ceremonies.

Graduates are strongly advised to wear sensible footwear as they will be walking up and down stairs and across different types of flooring.

Complementary parking for commencement is available at Hancher Auditorium. Traffic congestion around Hancher Auditorium is expected during commencement, graduates and guests should allow extra time for travel and parking.

Lot information and accessible parking details can be found on the Hancher Auditorium venue page.

Detailed security information including allowed and prohibited items can be found on the Hancher Auditorium venue page. 

Graduates arriving with a coat or purse should plan to leave these items with their guests. 

Doors to Hancher Auditorium will open at 1:00 PM, which is one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Graduates should arrive at 1:00 PM.  Guests are encouraged to arrive as early as possible so they can ensure they are in their seat by the start of the ceremony.

Upon arrival at Hancher Auditorium, graduates should proceed north (left down the hallway) of the main entrance to the name card table outside of Strauss Hall.  Graduates will check in with the student or staff member, pick up their name card, and review it for accuracy.

Graduates need to hold onto their name card.  They will need to take it with them into the auditorium and on stage.

Graduates:  After getting their name card, graduates will enter Strauss Hall and take group photos before lining up for the processional. Graduates will line up and be seated alphabetically by program.  A commencement program and order of events will be at the end of each row and passed to each graduate.

Guests:  There are no tickets required and no assigned seating for guests at Hancher Auditorium. 

Detailed information on accessible seating can be found on the Hancher Auditorium venue page.

At 1:55 PM, platform officials, faculty, and staff will be led by a faculty marshal toward the auditorium entrance and will line up outside of door 3.

Graduates will be led by student marshals toward the auditorium entrance and will line up behind the platform officials, faculty, and staff.

At 2:00 PM, guests will view the "Celebrating Iowa" video.

At 2:03 PM, platform officials, faculty, and staff will process through door 3 to their seats on stage and in the auditorium.

Following faculty and staff, graduates will process through door 3 to their seats in the auditorium. 

All guests should be in their seats at the start of the ceremony. After a brief video, the graduates will enter the auditorium and be seated. 

Following a welcome from University officials and remarks from designated speakers, graduates will be invited to the stage to be recognized individually. 

A student marshals will lead the graduates, by row, to the stage.  All graduates will bring their name card with them.  Master graduates will also bring their hood with them.

Each graduate will have their name card scanned to be displayed on the screens in Hancher Auditorium and on the livestream.  Graduates will then hand their card to the faculty member at the podium who will individually recognize the graduate.  The graduate will receive their diploma cover (bachelor grads) or have their hood placed over their head (master grads) before taking a photo with their program director.  The graduate will then proceed across the stage to shake hands with University of Iowa officials before exiting the stage for a portrait.  Finally, the graduate will be directed to their original seat by a marshal. 

After all graduates have been recognized there will be a few closing remarks before the recessional.

The platform officials, faculty, and staff will exit the auditorium through door 3.  Graduates will exit the auditorium through door 4.

The ceremony is expected to last approximately 75 minutes.

Immediately after the ceremony, graduates are asked to briefly gather on the stairs directly outside of the auditorium for one large group photo before greeting their family and friends.

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.