What to Expect

Graduates should park in the Barnhill Garage. All graduates MUST enter the IU Natatorium main entrance.

The graduate and the accessible dropoff for all attendees is on the northeast corner of New York Street and University Blvd.

-There are several road construction projects in and around downtown Indianapolis, so please plan your driving route in advance to avoid possible delays.

Find information for guest parking here.

Opt-in to safety messages during Commencement by texting “SafeIUIndy” to 77295.

Graduate Parking Map:

Before line up, join us for a reception in your honor from 3 – 6 p.m. at the Vermont Street Tent, adjacent to the Campus Center. Enjoy live music, refreshments, and opportunities for photos with fellow graduates, family, and friends.

Graduates must enter the IU Natatorium main entrance and head to “The Jungle” Gymnasium dressed in graduation apparel by 6:45 p.m. Herff Jones representatives will be available for apparel issues or needs.  

Graduates will follow posted signage, first stopping to complete an information card for GradImages, the Commencement photographers. GradImages provides graduation portraits taken free of charge for graduates and their families for purchase. Print or digital photographs will be available for order after the ceremony.  

Graduates will be directed to have photos taken and then follow posted signage to find their school's designated lineup space. Plenty of event staff will be on hand for assistance.  

Undergraduates and Master’s degree graduates will sit in the Natatorium stands, while doctoral degree recipients will be seated downstairs on the pool deck. Graduates should sit with their school and wait for further instructions. Faculty participating in doctoral degree hooding should meet their candidates in the lineup area and will be seated with them during the ceremony. 

The procession begins around 7:30 p.m. Graduates will be split into two single-file lines, led by participating faculty, to Michael A. Carroll Stadium to start seating. After all graduates are seated, the platform party (those sitting on stage) will enter and be seated before the ceremony begins.  

Graduates should wear comfortable dress shoes as there will be periods of standing and walking extended distances.  

Faculty details can be viewed here. 

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 Carroll Stadium. Faculty marshals will lead you in the procession, then direct you to designated seating by school. Upon entering your row, please sit in the next available chair. At the beginning of the ceremony, all graduates and faculty will rise and remain standing through the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

At the end of Commencement, please remain in your seat. Faculty marshals will direct all graduates to exit by row.

Graduate Seating Chart:

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 Chancellor Ramchand, a student speaker, induction into the Indiana Alumni Association, and the conferral of degrees.

During the conferral of degrees, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree candidates are recognized together by their school deans. Because of the large number of graduates, individual names (other than Ph.D. and doctorate candidates) are not announced. Consider also attending your school recognition event for a more focused program.

Candidates for Ph.D. and other doctorate will be introduced individually and hooded on the floor in front of the stage.

Remember, all graduates participating in Commencement will receive a lovely Indiana 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 follow these steps on how to change it.

Graduates will be part of a recession back outside the IU Natatorium and should coordinate a meeting place with family and friends nearby.

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!

For questions or to replace missing labels, please contact Patrick Cavazos with Herff Jones at pcavazos@herffjones.com.

Graduates:

• Graduating students are screened upon arrival at the graduate robing and lineup location.
• Do not bring umbrellas, briefcases, or other personal items, as they cannot be stored during Commencement. Ponchos will be provided in case of rain.
• To ensure that all attendees have an unobscured viewing of the ceremony and graduates, signs, flags, placards, and banners are not permitted. Additionally, packages, wrapped gifts, noise makers, weapons, balloons, and outside food and beverage are prohibited.
• Wear business or business casual attire with comfortable—though formal—footwear.
• Arrive at lineup with your cap and gown on.
• All degree candidates 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.
• Opt-in to safety messages during Commencement by texting “SafeIUIndy” to 77295.
• Don’t forget to return your apparel after the ceremony by May 23.

 Guests:

• Upon arrival at the venue, guests walk through metal detectors.
• Guests are permitted to bring a clear bag that is approximately the size of a one-gallon freezer bag or a small clutch approximately the size of a hand. Diaper bags and those containing medical necessities are permitted. Bags are inspected by trained security staff.
• 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.
• To ensure that all attendees have an unobscured viewing of the ceremony and graduates, signs, flags, placards, and banners are not permitted. Additionally, packages, wrapped gifts, noise makers, weapons, balloons, and outside food and beverage are prohibited.
• Strollers are not permitted inside the venue.
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted at Commencement.
• Check out special offers and pre-order a photo package of your graduate. After graduation, view the graduation portraits taken by GradImages.
• Event organizers and venues will not be responsible for lost items.
• Opt-in to safety messages during Commencement by texting “SafeIUIndy” to 77295.