Commencement Events
- Senior Shindig
- Ceremony
- Diplomas
- Caps & Gowns
- Robe Return
- Honors Cords
- Suggestions for Dress
- Tassel Placement
- Announcements
- IU East Alumni Association Membership
- Class Rings
- Tickets
- Special Assistance
- Graduation Photos
- Location of Ceremony and Directions
Senior Shindig
A celebration event for the class of 2009 will be held on May 13th at the Fourth Floor Blues Club in Richmond’s Depot District. Graduates and one guest may attend for free. Other friends and family may also join the party, music, food and prizes for $5.00 a person. Graduates will receive more details in the mail.
Ceremony
Commencement will be held 6:00 pm on Friday, May 14 at the Tiernan Center. The ceremony lasts about 90 minutes and includes conferral of all degrees, a student speaker, and induction into the Alumni Association. The names of individual graduates are read as they cross the stage and are congratulated by the President and Chancellor.
Diplomas
IU East conducts one commencement exercise per year (upon conclusion of the spring semester). Students may participate in commencement if they graduated the previous December, graduated in May of the current year, or are candidates to graduate during the upcoming summer (June or August). Diplomas are not actually distributed at the commencement exercise. Instead, graduates will be presented in a crimson-colored IU diploma cover. The actual diplomas should be available approximately 6-8 weeks after students have been certified for graduation. Graduates will receive an email in their IU East email account from the Registrar when their diplomas are available for pick-up in the Office of Student Records (WZ 116). Students must bring a photo ID to pick-up their diploma
Caps and Gowns
Only rental apparel is used for the IU East Commencement Ceremony. Until April 2, Cap and gown orders may be placed on online at www.herff-jones.com/iu. After April 2, Cap and gowns can only be ordered through the Campus Bookstore. They may be picked up at Campus bookstore May 10-13, 8:00 am - 5:00pm..
Bachelor’s degree candidate will wear black robe and crimson sashes. Associate Degree candidates will wear black robes without the sash. All candidates will wear tassels in the color of their academic discipline.
All graduates must order a cap and gown to participate in the ceremony.
Robe Return
After the Commencement Ceremony, gowns will be returned to the Campus Bookstore representative in the auxiliary gymnasium. Graduates may keep their caps and tassels. Bachelor’s graduates will also keep their crimson sashes.
Honors Cords
Students with outstanding academic records who will receive their degrees with honors are entitled to wear cream and crimson cords during the commencement ceremony. The requirements for graduating with honors are different for each school. Honors are awarded by a vote of various faculties, and cords are provided by the University and will be distributed at Commencement rehearsal on May 13.
- Highest Distinction: Cream and crimson cords
- High distinction: Cream cords
- Distinction: Crimson cords
Indiana University has also granted approval for graduates who are members of nearly 60 honor societies to wear honors cords or medallions during Commencement. The majority are nationally recognized honors societies whose members have demonstrated academic excellence in their fields. Please contact the Office of Alumni Relations for a detailed list of accepted honor societies.
Suggestions for Dress
Men should wear dark suits. Black shoes and socks, white shirts, and dark, plain, four-in-hand ties are preferred. In exceptionally warm weather, men may be more comfortable by not wearing a coat under the gown. Women should wear dresses and dark shoes. Corsages should not be worn.
Tassel Placement
Candidates for first degrees wear tassels on the right sides of their caps until degrees have been announced by the IU President. After the conferral, bachelor and associate degree candidates grasp the tassel with the left hand and transfer it to the left side of the cap. Candidates who already have a degree wear their tassels on the left side.
Announcements
Order your personalized announcements though the Campus Bookstore or online at www.herff-jones.com/iu.
IU East Alumni Association Membership
Graduates will receive a free one-year membership in the Indiana University Alumni Association, which includes membership in the IU East Alumni Association. Click here for information about the New Grad 2-for-20 Plan.
Class Rings
Ring display and brochures are located in the Campus Bookstore or the Office of Alumni Relations and may be ordered on campus or online at www.herff-jones.com/iu.
Tickets
No tickets are required.
Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Graduates may invite as many guests as they would like to the Commencement ceremony.
Special Assistance
A Sign language interpreter will be provided. Special Needs seating is limited to the Tiernan Center's designated areas - space is limited, so there will be no reserved seating.
Graduation Photos
Photographs may be taken at any point during the ceremony, however you may be restricted from photographing from certain areas. The IU East Alumni Association contracts 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. A photographer will take their picture after they step from the stage holding their diploma covers. Proofs and order forms will be mailed to you after graduation.
Commencement DVDs may be ordered from the Office of Alumni Relations. The cost is $15 ($5 from each sale will be contributed to the IU East Alumni Scholarship Fund. Orders must be prepaid. Contact the Office of Alumni Relations.
Location of Ceremony and Directions
The Ceremony will be held at the Tiernan Center, 380 Hub Etchison Pkwy, Richmond, IN 47374 (at Richmond High School).
