Forecast

• Commencement Day is expected to be hot, with temperatures hovering around 85° Fahrenheit.
• We encourage everyone to drink plenty of fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty—and bring a personal water bottle to the ceremony.
• To stay cool, wear loose, lightweight, light colored clothing, and a hat.
• Check the homepage for any weather-related updates. 

Rain Plan

• Ponchos will be provided to all graduates and guests, if necessary. No umbrellas are allowed.
• In case of a rain delay, the ceremony may start as late as 6 p.m. 
• If the ceremony cannot be held on May 12, it will take place on May 13 at 10 a.m.
• If the ceremony cannot take place on either date, a virtual Commencement ceremony will take place.

If you cannot attend in person, watch the ceremony as it happens via livestream on the following web pages:

• IU Northwest homepage
• IU Northwest Facebook page

Graduates

• Graduates are to report to the student robing area in the Savannah Center Gym, which opens at 8 a.m.
• Graduates should be robed and ready to assemble promptly at 9 a.m.

Guests

• Guests are encouraged to arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. and be seated by 9:45 a.m., when the procession begins.
• After parking, guests are encouraged to go directly to the ceremony in Parking Lot 2. 
• Only students, faculty, and staff are allowed in the Savannah Center and Moraine Student Center. All other buildings will be closed.

• For your convenience, free parking is available in most IU Northwest parking lots.
• Parking signs will be posted.
• IUPD-Northwest will assist with traffic control.
• IU Northwest parking lots open at 8 a.m.
• The graduate drop off area is Lot 6, next to Hawthorn Hall, on Broadway between 34th and 35th Avenues.
• To drop off a graduate, please enter Lot 6 by going south on Broadway.

• Additional parking is available at the Village Shopping Center at 35th Avenue and Grant Street, about one mile west of campus.
• Free shuttle buses will run to and from the Village Shopping Center and IU Northwest from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• On-campus shuttle drop off and pick up is in front of the Anderson Library Conference Center on 35th Avenue.

Personal water bottles are allowed. All graduates and guests are encouraged to bring one to the ceremony.

The following items are not allowed and will be confiscated.

• Umbrellas
• Helium balloons
• Drones
• Alcohol
• Firearms

• Grad Images Photography Group will take a photo of each student as they walk across the stage to be congratulated by Chancellor Iwama and collect their degree.
• Complimentary proofs and an order form will be mailed to the graduate.
• There is no obligation to purchase photos.
• The opportunity to take formal, individual portraits will be available before and after the Commencement ceremony in the Savannah Center Gym.
• For more information, call 1-800-261-2576 or visit the Grad Images website.

Gowns

• Before the ceremony, remove your gown from the bag it arrived in and place it on a hanger to let any wrinkles fall out. If wrinkles remain after hanging up the gown, use a steamer to remove them. Do not iron the gown.
• To avoid spills and wrinkles, do not put on your cap and gown until you arrive to the robing area in the Savannah Center Gym.

Caps

• The tops of all caps should remain parallel to the floor throughout the ceremony. They are not to be worn at an angle.
• Men should remove their caps during the singing of the National Anthem and the Alma Mater.

Tassel placement

• Associate and bachelor's degree graduates should wear their tassels on the right side of their caps until President Whitten confers degrees during the ceremony.
• After the conferral, graduates should grasp their tassel with their left hand and transfer it to the left side of the cap.
• Be sure that your tassel is on the left when you approach the stage to be congratulated by Chancellor Iwama and collect your degree.

Apparel returns

• Graduates may keep their tassel, stole of gratitude, and cap.
• The gown must be returned to Herff Jones.
• For master's level graduates, the gown and hood must be returned to Herff Jones.
• Instructions and a pre-paid shipping label were included with your order from Herff Jones.

• Personal belongings, such as purses and coats, are not allowed in the arena during the ceremony. Please give them to a family member or friend to hold until the ceremony is over.
• IU Northwest is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
• Wear business or business casual attire with comfortable, though formal, shoes.
• Cell phones must be turned off during the commencement ceremony. Please remind your guests to do the same prior to the ceremony.
• All graduates are expected to stay for the entire ceremony.