The second weekend of May in Iowa City brings farewells and exciting new beginnings to town with the University of Iowa commencement ceremonies.
What to know about the festivities, from parking to what is allowed inside.
What items are allowed at graduation?
For graduation ceremonies at Hancher, guests can bring a bag that easily fits under the seat since there is no bag or coat check. Guests are not allowed to bring balloons, banners, or signs.
At Carver-Hawkeye Arena, guests can bring a clear plastic bag no bigger than 12″x6″x12″ along with purses no bigger than 4.5″x6.5″, with all bags being subject to search. Guests are allowed to bring diaper bags. Prohibited items include; wrapped gifts, balloons, flowers, alcoholic beverages, banners and signs, large lens cameras (6″ or more), video cameras or tripods, noisemakers, strobe lights, or “disruptive devices, non-service animals, strollers or car seats, tobacco products, umbrellas and weapons.
Where to park?
Complimentary parking at Hancher is available in lot 55 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Construction near Carver-Hawkeye Arena will impact parking, and the university encourages guests to plan accordingly. Free parking is available at lot 33, lot 43, lot 65, and lot 75. Accessible parking is available at lot 46 and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to live stream the University of Iowa graduation ceremonies?
Commencement ceremonies will be live-streamed, with links posted on the respective ceremonies site. The live streams will be posted on YouTube afterward.
When are the University of Iowa Commencement Ceremonies?
College of Pharmacy Doctor of Pharmacy Commencement Ceremony
10 a.m. Thursday, May 15, at Hancher Auditorium
College of Education Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
4 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at Hancher Auditorium
Graduate Masters Commencement Ceremony
7 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
School of Social Work Graduation Ceremony
9 a.m. Friday, May 16, at the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) - 2nd floor International Ballroom -- 243
College of Law Commencement Ceremony
2 p.m. Friday, May 16, at Hancher Auditorium
Carver College of Medicine Commencement Ceremony - Doctor of Medicine and Masters in Medical Education Degree Candidates
6:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, at Hancher Auditorium
Graduate Doctoral Commencement Ceremony
7 p.m. Friday, May 16, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremony
9 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
College of Nursing Commencement Ceremony
9 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Hancher Auditorium
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremony
1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
University College Commencement Ceremony
1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Carver College of Medicine Associated Medical Sciences Commencement Ceremony
2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Hancher Auditorium
Tippie College of Business Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
5 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
College of Public Health Commencement Ceremony
6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Hancher Auditorium
Theatre Arts Commencement Ceremony
7 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Theatre Building - E.C. Mabie Theatre
College of Engineering Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
12 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Iowa MBA Commencement Ceremony
4 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena
College of Dentistry Commencement Ceremony
3 p.m. Friday, June 6, at Hancher Auditorium
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at[email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_