In accordance with its COVID-19 protocols, Indiana University Bloomington is planning in-person May Commencement ceremonies at all of its campuses for graduates only. Details for attending Commencement and having family and friends join virtually will be shared soon. Please let us know your interest in attending.
Are you interested in attending in-person?All candidates for degrees must wear custom IU apparel at Commencement. Students rent their gowns and return them after the ceremony. Graduates keep their caps, tassels, and (if they received undergraduate degrees) stoles of gratitude. If you are a December 2020 graduate or a spring or summer 2021 graduate, there are two ways to order:
Order by Monday, April, 5, to get the best price. Prices go up Monday, April 12. Online orders close on Monday, April 19.
NOTE: All 2020 graduates who ordered and paid for official caps, tassels, gowns, hoods, and stoles will receive the complimentary use of gowns (and hoods if you earned a graduate degree) to wear at Commencement. Bring your cap, tassel (and stole if you earned an undergraduate degree). You will be contacted by Herff Jones before Commencement to arrange the use of complimentary apparel.
Indiana University has custom apparel for Commencement featuring a lightweight black gabardine robe piped with crimson braid.
The bachelor’s and associate gowns have a closed front and open sleeves.
Candidates for bachelor’s and associate degrees also receive a crimson Stole of Gratitude, embellished with the Indiana University seal, which they wear during the ceremony.
The master’s gown has extra long, closed sleeves, with a small opening at the wrist. The end of the sleeve is square, with an arc cut away just above the bottom.
The doctoral gown has velvet panels down the front and voluminous, bell-shaped sleeves. Each sleeve has three velvet bars. The velvet is usually black, but may reflect the color of the discipline.
Graduates may keep their Stoles of Gratitude as a memento of the day, or present them as a token of thanks to anyone who guided them on their path to graduation.
All candidates wear a cap (also called a mortarboard) that is adorned with a colored tassel appropriate to the school or division from which they are graduating. All students may keep their caps and tassels after the ceremony.
All graduate degree candidates also wear a hood. The master’s hood extends past the middle of the back and has a wide velvet edging. The doctoral hood is easily recognized by the width of the velvet edging, the wide panels at both sides, and the greater length. Rental hoods must be returned with rental gowns.
Online orders for Commencement 2021 are now open! You can order your cap and gown here: https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/iu.
