A booth was set up outside the IUS Bookstore on Feb. 18 to inform graduating students about the costs and options for graduation.

The booth provided gown rental information and sign-up sheets for students who want to receive their diplomas in the IUS graduation ceremony to be held this spring.

The cost to rent a cap and gown differs, depending on whether students are receiving an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree.

An associate cap and gown rental would cost a student $50. A bachelor’s cap and gown rental is $72. A master’s cap and gown costs $82.

That’s just the cost for the cap and gown.  If a student would also like to buy announcements and thank you notes, they’ll have to shell out a bit more money.

Anyone graduating with an associate’s degree who was wanting a package that includes the rental cap and gown and the invitation package would need to pay $152 to $254.

A bachelor’s degree student would need to pay $174 to $275, and a master’s student would be spending $183 to $285.

Patrick Cavazos, representative of Herff-Jones, the supplier of the gowns, worked at the graduation booth outside the IUS Bookstore.

“They are rentals but they are custom,” Cavazos said. “They are not your traditional black gown.”

The gowns being rented were designed specifically for IU students and have the IU colors and emblem worked into their design.

The letter sent to prospective graduates informs students about getting a cap and gown.

“Custom IU gowns must be rented from Herff-Jones,” the letter said.  “Caps and gowns can be picked up at the Bookstore beginning April 21.”

Jerry Wayne, vice chancellor for Alumni and Community Relations, is involved with coordination and administration of the upcoming commencement.

“They have to go through Herff-Jones,” Wayne said. “It’s university-mandated. My guess would be for the consistency, so you don’t have 50 different caps and gowns.”

The Office of the Registrar works to supply names of graduates, as well as ordering their diplomas and sending those along with transcripts to students after the ceremony.

Students who wish to graduate must apply for graduation with their school office. That is not where the process stops by any means.  The task to ensure that a student is able to graduate is a concerted effort, split up between school offices, the registrars, Alumni Affairs and other offices on campus.

“Students have to apply for graduation at their schools,” Janice Williamson, registrar, said.  “Those applying are sent to our office.  We receive reports and match it with applications.”

As faculty prepare for and anticipate the coming graduation ceremony, students are also preparing and developing their own opinions on the matter.

“I want to walk,” Alitha Ancrum, nursing freshman, said.

Though Ancrum is a few years away from that point, she said she will most likely participate in the ceremony.

Ancrum compared it to her high school graduation ceremony and said both are important to her and her family.

“Your parents want to see you graduate and walk.”

Other students are not so thrilled with the prospect of graduation.

“If I could have, I would have missed my last graduation,” Laura Filippone, economics junior, said. “I feel like I have better things to do.”

Wayne said students at the graduation ceremony will go to the Ogle Center to receive their caps and gowns.

Afterward, there would be a procession to the IUS Amphitheater.

“The IU Southeast Amphitheater provides a backdrop to one of the most beautiful commencements in the state — weather-permitting,” the letter to prospective graduates says.

If weather does not permit, then the ceremony will be held in the Activities Building. There will be two separate ceremonies in that case because the Activities Building is too small to hold all of the anticipated attendees at once.

For the outdoor commencement, all parents, friends and family are welcome to attend without any tickets or invitations.

If the commencement will be held inside, students will have a limited number of tickets to give to those they would like to attend, and only those with tickets can watch the ceremony.  This is due to the limited space in the Activities Building.

This year’s commencement will be held on May 10 at the IUS Amphitheater.

Any student who wants to be involved in the May commencement ceremony must submit their application for graduation to their school’s office by Monday, March 1.

By MICHELE HOP

Staff Writer

mhop@ius.edu