Just because the ceremony can’t happen doesn’t mean the personal celebration of your major accomplishment should end completely! The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to think outside the box in how we go about our daily lives—that can be true for how we celebrate personal milestones as well. We encourage graduates who have purchased regalia to continue to use it in personal celebrations. See Additional Ways to Celebrate, below, for ideas.

Regalia can be returned to the ISU Bookstore only if it is unopened. The return must be accompanied by a receipt.

Jostens does not accept returns on personalized items like announcements. However, they do have a way for you to print out an insert with the new date. Follow the link below. Scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says "Commencement Postponed." Follow the link to the online form. Fill out the new information. Print and insert into your announcements. More information is available online.

The virtual ceremony will incorporate most of the elements you would expect to see at our in-person ceremony. Viewers will watch a formal processional where each college is represented. You will hear inspiring addresses from Idaho State’spresident and student commencement speaker. Undergraduates can signify their achievement with a traditional move of their tassels. And, most importantly, each graduate will be highlighted individually with a custom slide.

Yes, all graduates will be included in the virtual ceremony, regardless of whether they RSVPed for the in-person ceremony. See How to Participate and Customize Your Slide for more information on how to customize your virtual ceremony experience.

Even those who RSVPed for the in-person ceremony must submit their personal information if they would like a customized experience in the virtual ceremony. See How to Participate and Customize Your Slide for more information on how to customize your virtual ceremony experience.

Participation in the virtual ceremony is open to all grads, regardless of if you were originally planning to attend the November 21 ceremony or not. Our partner vendor, StageClip, will be emailing a form to you to submit your information for the slide, including a photo if you wish. Please continue to check your email, and look for StageClip’s message before Thanksgiving. The deadline to submit your content for the slides is December 1. Those of you who previously submitted an RSVP to participate in the November 21 ceremony will still need to fill out the StageClip form.

In lieu of the traditional March through the Arch we would like to offer each of you a complimentary graduate photo taken at Swanson Arch. We recommend wearing your regalia and using these photos on your slides for the virtual ceremony. A University photographer will be stationed at Swanson Arch on Friday, November 6, and Friday, November 13, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Stop by either session. You do not need to sign up beforehand. Please observe physical distancing guidelines while there. Masks may be briefly removed for your photo, but should immediately be put back on once your photo has been taken. Group photos will not be allowed.

Prior to the December 12 ceremony, custom celebration boxes will be mailed to each graduate. These boxes will include items to help you celebrate during the ceremony and also a few keepsakes to commemorate this special occasion. Boxes will be mailed to the address on your graduation application.

Just because the ceremony can’t happen doesn’t mean the personal celebration of your major accomplishment should end completely! The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to think outside the box in how we go about our daily lives—that can be true for how we celebrate personal milestones as well.