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. 

Contact the Registrar’s Office regarding location requests.

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 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 Moscow Commencement ceremonies or the Spring Commencement ceremonies in Boise or Idaho Falls. 

Review the accessibility section of the ceremony and contact graduation@uidaho.edu with any questions. 

• Spring accessibility
• Winter accessibility

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.

Regalia can be ordered online through Jostens 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.
  • 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.

Yes! Graduates are welcome to wear leis or other personal adornments to celebrate their achievements. Be sure any items are respectful and appropriate for the occasion. 

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 (winter and spring): 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.

Boise (spring): You should arrive and be ready for the lineup one hour before your ceremony start time. Follow the signs to the gowning rooms. A professional photographer will be on site to take pre-ceremony shots.

Idaho Falls (spring): You should arrive and be ready for the lineup 45 minutes before your ceremony start time. A professional photographer will be on site to take photos before the ceremony. 

Moscow (winter): Arrive on campus and line up for the processional in the Menard Law Building. Staff and marshals will guide you for the processional.  

Moscow (spring): Arrive on campus and line up on University Avenue between the Idaho Student Union Building and Administration Building. Signage will point you to your specific college location. Staff and marshals will guide you for the processional.

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

Idaho Falls (spring): Park in the lower lot at University Place (1776 Science Center Drive) and make your way to the lineup in the Bennion Student Union Building (1784 Science Center Drive). Signage will point you to your specific lineup location. 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 lineup.

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

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

Boise and Idaho Falls: The ceremonies, including the processional, will 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): The procession will cross the parking lot from the Menard Law Building to the loading dock of the ICCU Arena.  Graduates will be split into two single-file lines and proceed directly onto the floor. Marshals will assist the students down a center aisle to their seats on the floor.

Moscow (spring): The procession will be led by the Boarder Highlanders Pipes and Drums to the P1FCU 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 (spring): The procession will begin from the lineup and gowning rooms near the Grand Ballroom. Staff and marshals will guide graduates through the procession to their seats.

Idaho Falls (spring): The procession will begin from the lineup room on the first floor and move to the Multipurpose room. Staff and marshals will guide graduates through the procession to their seats.

All locations: After opening remarks, guest speakers, awards and recognition of honors, a floor 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.
• Students should remain for the entire ceremony out of respect for fellow graduates.

Moscow (spring): 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.

Moscow (winter and spring): As there are two ceremonies, it is important that students and guests exit as quickly as possible to allow 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 (spring): 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 (spring): 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.

Yes. GradImages handles all U of I commencement photos. They will reach out to graduates within a couple of weeks following commencement with information about photo access. They can be contacted at 800-261-2576 or ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.