Indiana University
Indiana University

Frequently Asked Questions

Do my guests need tickets to attend the ceremony?
No. Tickets are not required. Graduates may invite as many guests as they would like to the Commencement ceremony.
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Is there reserved seating in Assembly Hall?
No. Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Assembly Hall opens at 8 a.m. for the morning ceremony and 1 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony.
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Where do we park?
Free parking is available in the lots surrounding Assembly Hall. Traffic in Bloomington is always congested on Commencement Day, and in 2010 will be more crowded than usual because of ongoing construction at Assembly Hall and Memorial Stadium.
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What time do we need to arrive?
Graduates must be at Gladstein Fieldhouse at least 90 minutes before the start of each ceremony, and their guests should arrive at Assembly Hall at least 45 minutes early. Guests who need a little extra time to get from their cars to their seats should plan accordingly. The doors to Assembly Hall will open at 8:00 a.m. for the morning ceremony, and at 1:00 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony.
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What happens at Gladstein?
Graduates report to their specific school locations (designated by bright red banners) to form the processions, which begin at 9:15 a.m. for the morning ceremony and 2:15 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony.  Please leave purses, umbrellas, briefcases and all other personal items at home or with your families; there is no place to store them in the fieldhouse.  By arriving 90 minutes before the start of the ceremony, grads will have an opportunity to have official photographs, featuring a Sample Gates backdrop, taken by Chadon Photography.
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Can my family come to the fieldhouse with me?
No.  Only graduates are allowed in Gladstein Fieldhouse; all guests are directed to Assembly Hall.
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Will we be able to drop off family members closer to the hall before parking the car?
Yes. Use the North Doors. Ushers will be on hand to lend assistance.
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Members of my family use a wheelchair or have limited mobility. Where will they be seated and who can sit with them?
Elevator access and special seating is available, but space is limited, especially in the wheelchair and limited-mobility sections, where only one member of a party will be able to sit with the guest. All others will be seated with the general audience. Please call Mary Jo Philhower at (812) 855-4664 to make arrangements.
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Another member of my family has difficulty hearing. What arrangements are being made for him?
Closed captioning and sign language interpreters will be provided.
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Must I wear a cap and gown?
Yes. You will not be allowed to participate in Commencement without a cap and gown. More information about apparel is available on the Caps and Gowns page.
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I will complete the requirements for my degree in August. May I participate in the May Commencement ceremony?
Yes. Candidates completing degree requirements between January 1and August 31march in the May ceremony. Candidates completing degree requirements between September 1 and December 31 march in the December ceremony. There is no summer ceremony.
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What’s a school recognition ceremony and how does it differ from the main Commencement Exercises on Saturday?
Recognition ceremonies are festive events that are held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday before and after the main Commencement exercises on Saturday. Activities vary from school to school and may include remarks by the dean, the hooding of graduate candidates and/or the bestowal of various medals and awards. Some schools also host a meal or a reception. Degrees are not conferred at school events; only at Saturday's Commencement ceremonies.
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How soon should I make hotel reservations for Commencement weekend?
The earlier the better. Several Bloomington hotels and B&Bs take reservations up to a year in advance, and all fill up fast. There are many properties in the region, including Indianapolis.
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I am an international student and members of my family wish to attend Commencement. How do I obtain the necessary documentation for them to apply for a visa?

The Office of International Services is happy to help you with this process. Please go to iStart, click on "Biographical Information", and then on Letter of Invitation. A notarized letter of invitation will be prepared for your family member(s). You will receive an e-mail when the letter is ready, and any questions you have will be answered when you pick it up. Please allow sufficient time for your family to receive that letter and apply for a visa.
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Why must I apply for graduation?
Degree candidates must apply to graduate in order for recorders and the registrar to confirm final grades, to receive Commencement packets and to have their names printed in the Commencement program. Each school or department has its own procedure and deadlines for applying for graduation. You may still graduate if you apply after this deadline, but your name will not appear in the Commencement program book. If you don’t apply, you won’t graduate.
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When is Commencement information mailed out?
All Commencement information is now available on this website, which is updated frequently. Invitations for December Commencement are mailed to students' permanent addresses in November; invitations for May Commencement are mailed to permanent addresses in March. December degree candidates will receive an email in October regarding Fall Grad Fair. May degree candidates will receive Grad Fair packets at their homes over the holiday break.
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May I take pictures during Commencement?
Yes, you may take photographs at any point during the ceremony. The IU Alumni Association hires a photographer to take photos of the graduates in their caps and gowns. Graduates do not need to sign up for these photographs before the ceremony. Cards will be distributed to all graduates directly preceding the ceremony, and the photographer will take their picture as they walk down the hall into the stadium. Proofs and order forms will be mailed to your permanent address after graduation.
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Can I purchase a DVD of the ceremony?
Yes you may. DVDs are available from our public television station, WTIU. Please go to WTIU and scroll down to "Indiana University." Copies are $19.95 plus handling.
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Is the ceremony streamed over the internet?
Yes. Go to Broadcast IU.
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I’m graduating with distinction, high distinction or highest distinction. How do I get my cream and crimson cords?
The recorders in each school will distribute the cords – which are called fourragère and are worn on the left shoulder – before Commencement. The requirements for graduating with honors are different for each school. Check with your recorder for specifics.
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I’m a member of a national honor society. May I wear my society’s honor cords with my cap and gown?
Yes. Indiana University has granted approval for graduates who are members of nearly 60 honor societies to wear honors cords during Commencement.
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I’m a Ph.D. candidate. Will I be hooded at the ceremony?
Yes. Ph.D. and doctoral candidates are introduced and hooded at both ceremonies. You will process from Gladstein Fieldhouse with the other degree candidates, and your place in the procession depends on the degree you are receiving.  Ph.D. candidates march with the University Graduate School; doctoral candidates march with their schools.  Ph.D. and doctoral will be introduced during the ceremony, and will fill out two cards with phonetic spellings of their names. You should carry both cards, along with your hood, into the ceremony.  Faculty marshals will provide you with further instructions during the ceremony.  If you have questions, please call (812) 855-4664 or ask the marshals at Commencement.
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Will I receive my diploma at Commencement?
No. Diplomas will be mailed to your permanent address two to three months after graduation.
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