Spring Graduate Ceremony

Parking is available for free in all lots surrounding Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall for the day. Accessible parking for graduates or guests with ADA hangtags or license plates is available in the Blue Lot off of 17th Street.

Guests who do not have ADA hangtags or license plates may follow the instructions listed above. Drivers may drop off guests who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility at the north lobby entrance of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, where it is comfortable to wait until drivers have parked their vehicles and returned to the lobby.

Find more information for guest parking here.

Opt-in to safety messages during Commencement by texting “SafeIU” to 77295.

Guest seating will be located on the east and west sides of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

Tickets are not issued for Commencement, and graduates can bring as many guests as they wish. Guest seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis in sections not reserved for graduates. Ushers will be stationed throughout the building to direct guests to the best possible seats.

Accessible seating is available for guests in wheelchairs and with limited mobility. Venue staff are trained to assist with special seating for guests in wheelchairs and with limited mobility. See the accessibility accommodations page for more information.

Graduate seating is arranged by school and occupies the floor and some of the stands in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Faculty marshals will lead you in the procession, then direct you to designated seating by school. Upon entering your row, please sit in the next available chair. At the beginning of the ceremony, all graduates and faculty will rise and remain standing through the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

At the end of Commencement, please remain in your seat. Faculty marshals will direct all graduates to exit by row.

Graduates should enter Wilkinson Hall (near Simon Skodjt Assembly Hall) by 2 p.m. dressed in graduation apparel. Herff Jones representatives will be available for apparel issues or needs.

Graduates will follow posted signage, first stopping to complete an information card for GradImages, the Commencement photographers. GradImages provides graduation portraits taken free of charge for graduates and their families for purchase. Print or digital photographs will be available for order after the ceremony.

Graduates will be directed to have photos taken and then follow posted signage to find their school's designated lineup space. Plenty of event staff will be on hand for assistance. Graduates should stand with their school and wait for further instructions. Faculty participating in doctoral degree hooding should meet their degree candidates in line and will be seated with them during the ceremony.

The procession begins around 2:30 p.m. A graduate selected by the faculty in each school’s lineup space will carry their school banner and lead their school’s section of the line. Graduates will be split into two single-file lines, each following their faculty marshals into Simon Skodjt Assembly Hall. After all graduates are seated, the platform party (those sitting on stage) will enter and be seated before the ceremony begins.

Graduates should wear comfortable dress shoes as there will be periods of standing and walking extended distances.

Faculty details can be viewed here.

Full of pageantry and traditions, Commencement is the grand culmination of your college journey—and it is an experience you’ll remember and cherish! The ceremony includes a Commencement speaker, remarks from President Whitten and the provost, a student speaker, induction into the Indiana University Alumni Association, and the conferral of degrees.

During the conferral of degrees, candidates for all undergraduate and master’s degrees are recognized together by their school deans. Because of the large number of graduates, individual names (other than Ph.D. and doctorate candidates) are not announced. Consider also attending your school recognition event for a more focused program.

Candidates for Ph.D.’s and doctorate degrees will be introduced individually and hooded on the floor in front of the stage.

Remember, all graduates participating in Commencement will receive a lovely Indiana University diploma cover at the ceremony. Your diploma will be mailed to your home address at a later date.

Students who complete all requirements and apply to graduate by their programs’ stated deadlines will have their names printed in the Commencement program. Programs will be provided at the ceremony or you can download a program.

If you are not sure if you met your program’s deadline, please contact the recorder’s office in your school.

If your name has changed since you became an IU student, please follow these steps on how to change it.

Graduates will be part of a recession out of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall and should coordinate a meeting place with family and friends in or near the building.

Following the ceremony, join us for a reception in your honor from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.on the South Lawn of Indiana University Memorial Stadium. Enjoy live music, refreshments, and opportunities for photos with fellow graduates, family, and friends.  

Graduates must return their apparel in the mailer provided by Herff Jones. Failure to return apparel may result in a fine, so do not skip this important step. Caps, tassels, cords, and stoles of gratitude (for undergraduate degrees) do not need to be returned; keep them as mementos of this exciting day!

Request a missing shipping label here.

Graduates

• Graduating students are screened upon arrival at the graduate robing and lineup location.
• Do not bring umbrellas, briefcases, or other personal items, as they cannot be stored during Commencement.
• To ensure that all attendees have an unobscured viewing of the ceremony and graduates, signs, flags, placards, and banners are not permitted. Additionally, packages, wrapped gifts, noise makers, weapons, balloons, and outside food and beverage are prohibited.
• Wear business or business casual attire with comfortable—though formal—footwear.
• Wait until you arrive at lineup to put on your cap and gown.
• All degree candidates in attendance are expected to stay for the entire ceremony. This is a years-long academic journey, you don’t want to skip out now!
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted at Commencement.
• Opt-in to safety messages during Commencement by texting “SafeIU” to 77295.
• Don’t forget to return your apparel by Frday, May 30. Find return instructions here.

Guests

• Upon arrival at the venue, guests walk through metal detectors.
• Guests are permitted to bring a clear bag that is approximately the size of a one-gallon freezer bag or a small clutch approximately the size of a hand. Diaper bags and those containing medical necessities are permitted. Bags are inspected by trained security staff.
• Guest seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so come early for the best seat.
• Given the size of the Commencement audience, large parties are not allowed to save seats. Instead, we ask groups to gather outside and come in together. An usher can help you find group seating.
• Because of the large number of graduates, we are unable to introduce each graduate by name. Recipients of Ph.D.’s and other doctorate degrees will be introduced by name.
• To ensure that all attendees have an unobscured viewing of the ceremony and graduates, signs, flags, placards, and banners are not permitted. Additionally, packages, wrapped gifts, noise makers, weapons, balloons, and outside food and beverage are prohibited.
• Strollers are not permitted inside the venue.
• Opt-in to safety messages during Commencement by texting “SafeIU” to 77295.
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted at Commencement.