Carver-Hawkeye Arena

Doors to the arena will open one hour prior to the start of each ceremony.  Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of your ceremony.

Guests use South and West doors.

Graduates only may use East doors for express entry. Graduates are not required to enter through the East doors but it is highly recommended. 

Please Note: 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. 

Due to construction, traffic congestion around Carver-Hawkeye Arena is expected during commencement, so please allow extra time for your travel and parking.

Graduate Doctoral Ceremony on Friday, May 12 at 11 a.m.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena has very limited parking nearby. The parking lots where you might find a space on a first-come first-served basis within walking distance (0.5 miles) are lot 75 (Arena), lot 65 (Finkbine), and lot 43 (Kinnick), but we cannot guarantee availability. There are also nearby public parking facilities available at an hourly rate including the Newton Road Parking Ramp and Hospital Ramp 3. We highly encourage you to consider taking public transportation from either Iowa City or Coralville or a free University of Iowa Cambus to the event. Guests with state issued ADA parking placards should use lot 33 (Dental) if available, or other designated areas near Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Questions can be directed to grad-commencement@uiowa.edu.

Evening and Weekend Carver-Hawkeye Arena Commencement Ceremonies

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 Commuter). 
• Guests with disabilities who have a state issued ADA parking placard or license plate will be permitted to use Parking Lot 46, adjacent to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. From Parking Lot 46 guests should enter through the west doors.
  • Please Note: Accessible parking in Lot 46 is limited to a first-come first-served basis. Once full, there will be no drop-offs in Lot 46. Overflow accessible parking can be found in Lot 40. 

If you have specific questions on event parking, please contact the collegiate commencement coordinator of your ceremony in advance.

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, or outside food and beverage are allowed at Carver-Hawkeye Arena during this event. No air horns or alcohol are permitted.

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 bottles or empty, refillable bottles [Limit one (1), under one (1) gallon]
• Medically necessary items (includes equipment for nursing mothers and diaper bags)

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
• (New) Backpacks, purses, handbags and/or cinch bags
• 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 and car seats
• Tobacco of any kind (including e-cigarettes)
• Umbrellas
• Weapons of any kind

Arena Accessibility

There is NO PUBLIC ELEVATOR USAGE available during commencement. Full Public Safety policy can be found below.

Public Safety Seating Policy at the Arena for Commencement

• Seating for guests is accessible from the upper concourse level, which is at ground level where you will enter. Guests with disabilities or limited mobility can find seating in the Feller Club Room. This room is equipped with large television screens and commencement ceremonies can be watched live from here. No food or beverage will be permitted in this room.
• Guests with disabilities are also welcome to view the ceremony from the upper concourse level. Wheelchair and scooter spaces can be found in sections K – N on this level. Space is limited so we ask that guests seat themselves and two companions in this area. Guests should provide their own wheelchair if needed.
• A sign language interpreter will be on-stage to interpret the ceremony.

Parking

• Guests with disabilities who have a state issued ADA parking placard or license plate will be permitted to use Parking Lot 46, adjacent to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. From Parking Lot 46 guests should enter through the west doors.
  • Please Note: Accessible parking in Lot 46 is limited to a first-come first-served basis. Once full, there will be no drop-offs in Lot 46. Overflow accessible parking can be found in Lot 40. 

Seating at Carver-Hawkeye Arena is designed to allow emergency evacuation through the exits on the upper concourse and/or the floor tunnel. Because the floor tunnel may become blocked by a fire or other obstruction during an emergency, the university requires that attendees with mobility issues not be seated on or near the floor; they must be seated in the Feller Club Room or on the upper concourse level. During a fire or emergency, elevators may not function and floor-seated attendees unable to navigate stairs might not have an exit pathway. Floor seating is generally reserved for graduates, faculty, and special guests. Concourse seating is available for all other attendees.

During a UI commencement at the arena, elevator use may be limited to staff and special event participants, such as faculty or graduates at a graduation ceremony. This is to prevent persons with mobility issues from using the elevator to access the floor, only to be trapped there in the case of a fire or other emergency.

The full policy can be found on the Department of Public Safety Website.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena Evacuation Policies

Named for the late Roy Carver, a long-time supporter of the University of Iowa, Carver-Hawkeye Arena, one of the 25 largest university-owned facilities in the nation, opened in January of 1983 and underwent a multi-million dollar facelift that was completed in September, 2011.