Parking is available for free in all lots surrounding Memorial Stadium for the day. Accessible parking for graduates or guests with ADA hangtags or license plates is available in the orange lot off of 17th Street.

Traffic patterns will change around Memorial Stadium on Commencement Day. Plan your route ahead of time for entering and exiting the ceremony.

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 stadium to direct guests to the best possible seats.

Accessible seating is available 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 field in Memorial Stadium. Graduates do not line up alphabetically so they may be seated anywhere within a school’s section.

Graduates will meet in Mellencamp Pavilion (directly north of Memorial Stadium) no later than 7:45 a.m. During lineup, graduates will be directed to their specific school locations, designated by bright red banners.

Faculty must arrive by 8 a.m. Faculty who are hooding a doctoral candidate should meet up with that student so they can walk together in the processional.

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, undergraduate candidates are recognized together by their school deans. Because of the large number of graduates, individual names are not announced. Consider also attending your school’s recognition event for a more focused program.

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 one.

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 contact the Commencement team at iudegree@indiana.edu to notify us not later than Monday, April 11.

Graduates will be part of a recession back to Mellencamp Pavilion and should coordinate a meeting place with family and friends in or near the pavilion. Photo backdrops will be available in the pavilion to take pictures.

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!

Graduates:

• Do not bring umbrellas, briefcases, or other personal items, as they cannot be stored during Commencement. Ponchos will be provided in case of rain.
• 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.
• Don’t forget to return your apparel after the ceremony.

Guests

• 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.
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted at Commencement.
• Consider surprising your graduate with flowers by pre-ordering a bouquet that will be ready when you arrive at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
• Check out special offers and pre-order a photo package of your graduate. After graduation, view the graduation portraits taken by GradImages.