To celebrate in person, you and all of your fellow graduates must have two negative COVID-19 tests recorded the week of your graduation ceremony, unless you have received your final COVID-19 shot by April 30th, 2021 and have uploaded your vaccination card.
In accordance with its COVID-19 protocols, Indiana University East is planning an in-person Commencement Ceremony on May 14, 2021 for graduates who have met the COVID-19 testing requirements (or are eligible to skip the tests). The outdoor ceremony is planned to take place on the IU East campus at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of Whitewater Hall.
You’ve got your ticket reserved. Nice! Let family and friends know how they can celebrate with you by joining online at commencement.iu.edu.
Get the latest updates
To celebrate with you most fully, we need to stay in contact with you! We’ll have many more Commencement updates for you in the coming months, so don’t forget to check your IU East account often.
Also, visit this website regularly, and tell your family and friends to do the same.
Your COVID-19 testing requirements
To celebrate in person, you and all of your fellow graduates must have two negative COVID-19 tests recorded the week of your graduation ceremony, unless you qualify to skip the tests.
Test One
Your first test must be taken between May 8 - May 11, and your negative result submitted online by May 13, 5 p.m. You can do this at a local pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens, a local healthcare facility, Costco, or a mail-in testing site like Vault Health.
If you miss the first testing window, you won't be able to attend Commencement in person. (You can still join virtually!) Set up your appointment as soon as you can.
You’ll record your first negative result on this form. You must obtain a ticket before submitting to the self-report form.
Test Two
You must take your second test on May 12 - 13 at Whitewater Hall, where parking is available in the Tom Raper parking lot and ADA parking is available at Whitewater Hall Circle, 2325 Chester Blvd., Richmond, IN 47374. You don’t need an appointment—just arrive during the hours of operation found at the Commencement website.
See if you qualify to skip the tests
You are fully vaccinated
If you receive your final COVID-19 shot by Friday, April 30, 2021, then upload your vaccination record, you won’t be required to take the two tests.
If you test positive for COVID-19 between 11 and 90 days before your ceremony, tests will not be required. Upload proof of your positive test result to the self-service form.
All Fall 2019, Spring 2020, and Summer 2020 graduates who purchased and did not return official caps, tassels, gowns, hoods, and stoles will receive the complimentary use of gowns (and hoods if you earned a graduate degree) to wear at Commencement.
You will receive an email from Herff Jones with a link to reserve your gown (Bachelors) or gown/hood (Masters). If your name doesn’t pull up when you visit the link, please send an email to pacavazos@herffjones.com with your full name, campus location (IU East - Richmond), and daytime number; they will help you complete the order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Indiana University East will celebrate its 2020 and 2021 graduates during a ceremony to be held on May 14, 2021. While in-person commencement is limited to graduates only, friends and family are invited to attend virtually.
The in-person ceremony is open to all 2020 graduates and all May and August 2021 graduates. Students must reserve a spot ahead of time to attend and will be asked to indicate their interest in attending.
Graduates are invited to join virtually and celebrate from wherever they are.
CDC guidelines recommend people avoid travel because of extremely high cases of COVID-19 across the U.S. Each IU campus is making its Commencement plans in coordination with county health departments, and restrictions on events and gatherings vary based on community. IU has been able to successfully manage COVID-19 cases and avoid large outbreaks through routine testing on all of its campuses; limiting in-person ceremonies to graduates only allows the university to use the same strategy to ensure a safe commencement celebration.
IU East Commencement is scheduled to occur at 10am on Friday, May 14, 2021. The outdoor ceremony will take place on the IU East campus in the parking lot of Whitewater Hall. More details to come about parking, arrival time, etc.
IU makes all decisions in consultation with its Medical Response Team. In addition to limiting in-person ceremonies to only graduates, those who participate will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing. All IU public safety protocols, including wearing a mask and physically distancing, must be followed during Commencement.
The only in-person Commencement activities will be the official Commencement Ceremony. Other recognition events will be held virtually.
IU is continually monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic, and all plans are subject to change based on the public health outlook in each community. The university is committed to keeping its campuses safe, and will communicate directly with graduates if plans change.
All candidates for degrees must wear custom IU apparel at Commencement. Students rent their gowns and return them after the ceremony. Graduates keep their caps, tassels, and (if they received undergraduate degrees) stoles of gratitude. If you are a December 2020 graduate or a spring or summer 2021 graduate, you may order directly from Herff Jones, IU’s licensed Commencement vendor.
Order by Friday, April 16 to get the best price. Prices will increase until orders close Friday, April 23.
NOTE: All 2020 graduates who ordered and paid for official caps, tassels, gowns, hoods, and stoles will receive the complimentary use of gowns (and hoods if you earned a graduate degree) to wear at Commencement. Bring your cap, tassel (and stole if you earned an undergraduate degree). You will be contacted by Herff Jones before Commencement to arrange the use of complimentary apparel.
Only graduates will be permitted at the ceremony site. Accompanying graduates to the ceremony site will be prohibited. Commencement 2021 will be attended by graduates only, and families and friends will be able to watch the ceremony online, at a link that will be provided before Commencement weekend.
Indiana University East resources and social media channels
