Undergraduate Ceremony Instructions
Date, Time, and Location:
- Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. in Hilton Coliseum
- Doors will open for guests at 11:30 a.m.
- It is anticipated that the ceremony will last around two and a half hours.
Parking:
- Graduates and guests are encouraged to park in any of the parking lots around Hilton Coliseum, with the exceptions of lots B1, C1, and the East Ramp, which are reserved.
- Handicap parking is available in lot C2.
- A parking map is available online here: Parking Maps for Hilton Coliseum and Jack Trice Stadium | Graduation & Commencement | Iowa State University (iastate.edu)
Tickets and Guests:
- Tickets are not required.
- Guest seating is unlimited – please invite everyone who wishes to celebrate your significant achievement!
Check-in/Line-up:
- You may begin arriving for check-in at 12:00 p.m., but plan to arrive by no later than 12:30 p.m.
- Your primary college will determine your assigned check-in location:
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Hilton Coliseum, Southwest Corner, Top- Level
- Ivy College of Business
- Hilton Coliseum, Northwest Corner, Top-Level
- College of Design
- Hilton Coliseum, Northeast Corner, Top-Level
- College of Engineering
- Scheman Building, 100-Level (Middle Floor)
- College of Human Sciences
- Hilton Coliseum, West End Tunnel, Ground-Level
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Scheman Building, 200-Level (Top Floor)
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Academic Attire (e.g., Caps, Tassels, and Gowns):
- Graduates are required to wear a bachelor's gown, a black four-sided cap, and the appropriate color tassel (tassel should be worn on the right side). Attire can be purchased through the Iowa State University Bookstore, located in the Memorial Union, and through their website: https://www.isubookstore.com/graduation/bachelor
- Graduates who are a member of the United States Armed Forces are welcome to wear uniforms.
- Graduates who need to wear specific attire for religious or cultural purposes (e.g., hijab, etc.) are welcome to do so.
- Leave purses, coats, and other valuables with family or friends since there will be no secure place to leave them during the ceremony.
Accommodations:
- Graduates needing special assistance (e.g., wheelchair seating, sign language interpreter, captioning services, service animals, etc.) prior to, or during, the ceremony should contact Michelle Becker at mbecker@iastate.edu by December 14th.
- Special accommodation seating will be available on a first come, first served basis.
- Handicap parking is available in lot C2.
- Guests needing a handicap accessible entrance and/or elevator should utilize Hilton Coliseum’s west entrance, located under the catwalk between Scheman and Hilton.
- A sign language interpreter will be available.
Ceremony Process:
- After check-in, graduates will proceed to the line-up area.
- Please complete the photography portion of the card you were given at check-in prior to the start of the ceremony.
- During the ceremony, graduates will be led to the photography area and then led across the stage by a Faculty Marshal. Photographers will use a flash when taking photos.
- After crossing the stage, graduates will be led back to their original seats.
Diploma Covers:
- The President and/or Provost will hand you a diploma cover on stage during the ceremony.