Guest Information for Commencement
Spring 2023
We encourage you to sign up for the Spring 2023 Commencement Subscription List to receive updates and important information regarding the ceremonies. Visit the Ceremonies tab to view the commencement ceremony schedule.
Spring 2023 ceremonies will take place in Carver-Hawkeye Arena and Hancher Auditorium. Please click on the venue links for more information. Certain ceremonies may require tickets, please visit the ceremony pages for detailed information.
Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Allowed Items
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)
Prohibited Items
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
Hancher Auditorium
It is recommended not to bring in a bag that cannot fit easily under your seat. There is no bag or coat check during commencement ceremonies.
Please do not bring in balloons.
Carver-Hawkeye Arena and Hancher Auditorium have specific policies for parking at those venues, please click the venue links for detailed information.
Ceremonies will livestream at the date and time listed on the Ceremonies tab. A link to the ceremony will be included on the individual ceremony pages. Ceremony links will be provided at least one day before the ceremony is scheduled to premiere.
Detailed information can be found in the How to Watch section.
In order to receive the most up-to-date information about commencement, we recommend signing up for a Subscription List. Emails will be sent only when there is new information to communicate or when a deadline is approaching.
Subscription is a two-step process to eliminate spam. Please confirm your subscription via the email you receive when you sign up.
Only emails addresses are required. UI Commencement does not collect information other than to email subscribers. Once you receive an email you are free to unsubscribe at anytime.
For friends and relatives of international students, select ceremonies will be uploaded to the International Programs website with commentary in Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, and Spanish, as student volunteer availability allows.
Some guests traveling internationally may need to apply for a temporary visa to attend an in-person event.
Please see more information on the International Programs website.
If a student needs an official verification of enrollment for this process, please contact the Office of the Registrar - Transcripts and Verifications at: registrar-transcripts@uiowa.edu
Students eligible to be included in commencement will be contacted by the IOWA Commencement Team, as well as their college (in most cases). To be included in a ceremony, interested students must login to MyUI to indicate they wish to be included in their college's ceremony.
For more information about the RSVP, including why students will only be included if they RSVP "Attending", please visit the RSVP tab.
To find out if a student has submitted their RSVP, please ask them! Only the student can RSVP, as they must login to MyUI to do so. We wish to recognize as many graduates during commencement as possible, so we ask that you encourage your graduate to RSVP before the deadline!
Messages sent out to list subscribers are located on the Subscription Lists page.
How to Watch Online
All ceremonies will premiere at their scheduled time and day and will be livestreamed with captions enabled.
We recommend finding your college ceremony and bookmarking that page for future reference.
Every college will have their own commencement ceremony, tailored to their college and including messages from a variety of individuals chosen specifically to honor and address graduates of that college. Degrees will be conferred and graduates who have RSVP'd Yes will be individually recognized during the ceremonies.
A link to the ceremony livestream will be included on the individual ceremony pages in the "Watch Live" section at least one day before the ceremony begins. Check back to see when the link is available.
If you cannot tune in during the premiere, the ceremonies will be available for viewing on the University of Iowa YouTube channel after the premiere concludes.
Screenshot Example
Fall 2022 example of what the "Watch Live" section will look like when video is added at least one day prior to ceremony.
Guest Accessibility
Information for Guests with Disabilities or Limited Mobility
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the collegiate commencement coordinator of your ceremony listed on our Need Help? page.
All ceremonies will have a sign language interpreter present and will be livestreamed with captions enabled.
Venue Accessibility Information
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.
Arena Accessibility
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.
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.
A sign language interpreter will be on stage to interpret the ceremony.
Accessible seating is located in several areas in the auditorium. Upon arrival, please speak to an usher who can direct your party to accessible seating.
Attendees who have a Disabilities Parking Permit (plate, placard or sticker) may park in the lot on the West side of Hancher.
A sign language interpreter will be on stage to interpret the ceremony.
Getting Here
Founded in 1847 the University of Iowa campus is located on the banks of the Iowa River and is about 300 miles from Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Omaha, and Kansas City. The campus is easily accessible off Interstate 80 and Highway 218 by car and is within an hour drive of 2 airports.
Arriving by car:
Places to Stay
From downtown Iowa City to the Coralville Landing there are many options to find a place to stay overnight. Commencement weekend is a very busy time so make sure to secure your reservations early!