Commencement FAQ

If you would like to participate in a different ceremony, email graduation@uidaho.edu to request a change. Note that seating may be limited, but we will try to accommodate your request.

Students with double majors will automatically default to their primary major ceremony and a student may only participate in one ceremony. If you would like to participate in your secondary major ceremony, email graduation@uidaho.edu to request an adjustment.

No tickets are required for any commencement ceremony. University of Idaho is excited to be able to celebrate this momentous occasion with our graduates and their guests. General seating is free and is on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly encourage early guests to start seating from the center of the row.

Premium seating will be available for the Spring 2026 Moscow Commencement ceremonies. Prices for premium seating are $600 for a suite (seats 12) or $25 each for club seats. Reserve premium seating at uitickets.com.

Premium seats are not available at the Winter 2025 Moscow Commencement ceremonies or the Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies in Boise or Idaho Falls.

Moscow Winter: Read about ICCU Arena accessibility for the commencement ceremony. Contact graduation@uidaho.edu for more information.

Moscow Spring: Read about P1FCU-Kibbie Activity Center accessibility for the commencement ceremony. Contact graduation@uidaho.edu for more information.

Boise: Accessible seating is available. Contact Stephanie Fox at sfox@uidaho.edu for more information.

Idaho Falls: Accessible seating is available. Contact Alice Allen at alicew@uidaho.edu for more information and to reserve a space.

Yes, academic regalia, commonly called a cap and gown, is required when participating in University of Idaho commencement ceremonies. Information on regalia requirements can be found online. The deadline to order regalia online is November 14, 2025, for Winter Commencement.

Regalia can be ordered online through Jostens by November 14, 2025, for Winter Commencement. Additional information can be found on the alumni commencement regalia website.

• If you ordered your regalia through Jostens, it is shipped to the address you provided and is yours to keep.
• If you ordered through U of I Marketplace you will pick it up from Alumni Relations in Hays Hall, G12. When it is ready, you will receive an email with instructions.
• Juris Doctor rental packages will be shipped to the College of Law and you can direct any questions to Christy Becker, cbecker@uidaho.edu in Moscow and Caroline Lehner, clehner@uidaho.edu in Boise.
  • Law graduates will need to fill out the At-Grad Survey on Idaho Law Careers in order to receive their regalia. Please keep an eye out for an email from law-careers@uidaho.edu with more information on the At-Grad Survey.
• Doctoral rental packages will be shipped to:
  • Moscow ceremony, Alumni Relations in Hays Hall
  • G12 Boise ceremony, Sandy Larsen in the Idaho Water Center
  • Idaho Falls ceremony, Student Services at Bennion Student Union Building
• Graduates will be notified when they can pick up their rental packages.

For additional questions regarding regalia, email alumni-regalia@uidaho.edu. 

Contact Alumni Services at alumni-regalia@uidaho.edu for information on ordering regalia after the deadline.

Graduates will be notified via email of their eligibility for honor cords.

• Students on the Moscow campus can pick up their cords at GradFair. Moscow students unable to pick up their honors at GradFair can pick it up at the Registrar's Office after GradFair. Government-issued ID is required to pick up your cord.
• Students located at Idaho Falls can contact Alice Allen to pick up their cords. Email alicew@uidaho.edu to schedule a time.
• Boise graduates will have cords mailed in advance to their diploma mailing address.

Students are awarded tentative honors based on what their institutional GPA is the term prior to graduation. Final honors will be determined after the degree is awarded (6-8 weeks after the end of the term) and will be printed on the student’s transcript and diploma. Additional information can be found at the Registrar's office.

Unfortunately, no. Students are awarded tentative honors based on what their institutional GPA is the term prior to graduation. Final honors will be printed on the student’s transcript and diploma.

Moscow ceremony: You should arrive and be ready for the lineup one hour and fifteen minutes before your ceremony start time. The processional will start approximately half an hour before the ceremony start time.

Idaho Falls ceremony: You should arrive by 6:15 p.m. and be ready for line up by 6:45 p.m. Mountain time. A professional photographer will be on site to take photos before the ceremony.

Boise ceremony: You should arrive by 3:30 p.m. and be ready to line up at 3:45 p.m. Mountain time. Follow the signs to the gowning rooms. A professional photographer will be on site to take pre-ceremony shots.

Moscow ceremony: The winter ceremony processional line up will take place at the Menard Law building. 

The spring ceremony processional line up will take place on University Avenue between the ISUB and Administration Building. Signage will point you to your specific college location. 

Idaho Falls ceremony: Park in the lower lot at University Place, 1776 Science Center Dr. No parking permit is required for the event. The line-up will take place at the Bennion Student Union Building first floor, 1784 Science Center Dr. Watch for directional signs. Only students participating in the ceremony will be allowed in the line-up area.

Boise ceremony: Arrive at Boise Centre (on the Grove), 850 W. Front St and follow the signs to the gowning rooms. Staff and marshals will guide you for the processional.

Only bring essentials that you can’t do without and will fit in your pocket. There will be no secured area to leave any items. Come dressed in your regalia before arriving at the lineup. Staff will be on hand to help with hoods, attire and line-up.

Graduates cannot bring bags of any kind into the ICCU Arena or P1FCU-Kibbie Dome.

Moscow: The ceremony, not including processional, will last approximately two and a half hours.

Boise and Idaho Falls: The ceremonies, including the processional, last about an hour.

There will not be a rehearsal. Trained marshals will guide graduates throughout the process from the processional, crossing the stage to receive their diplomas, reseating and the recessional.

Moscow: Winter procession will cross the parking lot from the Menard Law Building to the loading door of the ICCU Arena.  Graduates will be split into two single file lines and process directly onto the floor. Marshals will assist the students down a center aisle to their seats on the floor.

Spring procession will be led by the Boarder Highlanders Pipes and Drums to the Kibbie Dome and will begin approximately 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. The marshals will assist leading the procession west on University Avenue, across Rayburn Street to the Kibbie Dome. The processional will split into two single file lines, cross the practice field and then enter the Kibbie Dome through the north and south hallways onto the floor.

Boise: Follow the signs to the gowning area. Staff and marshals will guide you to the processional.

Idaho Falls: The processional will begin from the line-up room on the first floor and move to the Multipurpose Room. The marshal will guide students to the seating area.

Playing of Pomp and Circumstance begins at the specified commencement time as students begin entering with floor marshals directing them to their seats.

After opening remarks. guest speakers, medallion awards, honorary degrees and recognition of honors, the marshal will indicate when your row should stand and approach the platform area to receive your diploma cover. Students will have the opportunity to shake hands with the deans or president and be photographed as they cross the stage. After you receive your diploma cover, you must return to your seat.

Doctoral candidates will cross the stage from one side only and be hooded by their major professor on stage.

Specialists and master's students will cross from both sides. Specialist and master's candidates will need to arrive at the ceremony wearing their hoods.

Undergraduates cross the stage from both sides, with each side representing a college.

Students need to remain through the entire ceremony.

Moscow: As there are two ceremonies, it is important that students and guests exit as quickly as possible to allow for time to prepare for the next ceremony.

For Winter, a formal recessional of graduates will be done through the floor entry doors on the North side of the arena. Guests can meet their student outside the ICCU arena.

For Spring, a formal recessional of graduates will be done through the west exit of the dome towards the parking lot while faculty and platform party exit out the East Dome doors.

Boise: After the platform party exits, the marshal will indicate that you may stand and exit the area. The ceremony will be concluded at that point and a reception will immediately follow the commencement ceremony in the lobby.

Idaho Falls: After the platform party exits, the marshal will indicate that you may stand and exit the area. The ceremony will be concluded at this point.

Yes. Each graduate will receive a printed program that will be placed on their seat at commencement. Digital programs will be available to family and friends through a QR code at the event. You may also view the digital program.

GradImages handles all our commencement photos. They will reach out to you within a couple weeks following commencement with information about accessing your photos. If you don’t hear from them, you can contact them at (800) 261-2576 or you can email at ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.