College of Design Commencement

Students should to the Northrop Auditorium for check-in. Please bring your robe, cap and tassel if you have them. Leave all valuables at home or give them to a family member or friend to hold.

1. Check-in for students begins at 12:30 PM, and students must be checked-in no later than 2:00 PM.

Students should check in by entering through the first floor on the West side (facing downtown Minneapolis) of the Northrop Auditorium. Additional details on check-in are to follow.

        - All students will also go through a security wand process during check-in.

2. All students will receive a card at check-in that they need to show to security. This card must be turned in to staff behind the stage. Cards will be given to the photographer, Grad Images. Your personal email address is  the card for them to contact you regarding photographs. Please double-check that your personal email address is correct on your card.

3. Students line up in any order they choose within their particular major - Apparel, Architecture, Interior, etc. Please look for the signs for your major at the Northrop Auditorium west stairwell

4. To enter the auditorium, all students will line up on the west side of the building and enter the auditorium on that side.

4. Programs for students will be at their seats in the auditorium. You do not need to pick one up beforehand!

5. Students will be seated in the order you enter and will be guided by Marshals wearing maroon gowns.

6. For receiving your diploma cover (diplomas are sent within 2-3 months), students will line up and file onto the stage. You will hand your completed index card to staff back stage before you cross.

Each student stops at a microphone on the side of the stage and announces their own name before crossing the stage to shake hands with the Dean, staff and faculty. Students then return to their seats.

Note: Grad Images takes photos of each student as they shake hands and cross the stage. They will be located stage left (if you are on the stage) as you walk down the ramp toward the seats. The index cards have your information that allows Grad Images to contact you if you want pictures.

12:30 PM Graduating students should enter through the West side (facing downtown Minneapolis) of the Northrop Auditorium. At this location, each student will check-in for Commencement and go through security. Students will then line up according to their major.

1:00 PM Guests should arrive early. All guests will enter through the East side door (facing Rapson Hall) of the Northrop Auditorium.  Each guest will go through security to enter the building. All other entrances to the building will be locked. This is also a drop-off area for individuals with mobility concerns. Please allow at least an extra hour to allow time to get in!

This year, large bags are not allowed into the venue. Guests may bring a small clutch purse or a clear bag. Please refer to the Northrop Auditorium Policies for detailed information.

No late arrivals. Guests who arrive 30 minutes or later (3:00 or later) after the start of the event will not be allowed into the building. In addition, no re-entry if allowed should someone need to leave the building.

Items such as flags, banners, helium balloons and noise makers are not allowed into the auditorium. Please read the Restricted Items policy to make sure you are being considerate of your fellow patrons.

• Students who have formally declared a) a College of Design undergraduate degree b) a College of Design graduate degree c) are pursuing a second major within the College of Design AND
• Have an Expected Graduation Term (EGT) of Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026, or Fall 2026.

Note: The printed program will include all students who are invited to the ceremony, regardless of whether or not they attend.

College of Design students receive a survey  via their U of M email address. Students must  fill out the survey embedded within their email invitation to receive an email with the link to register for tickets. The survey should be completed regardless of whether or not a student is participating in the Commencement event.

Each graduating student may request up to 6 tickets for the event. After students complete the Commencement survey sent to them starting March 2, they will receive a link that allows them to create and account and order tickets through the Northrop Auditorium. 

Each student who RSVPs by April 24 can request up to 6 tickets. We cannot make exceptions. Graduating students do not need a ticket for themselves. On April 27, students will receive an email offering them the opportunity to request  additional from the remaining stock on a first-come, first-served basis.

Regalia is not required to attend Commencement but if you would like to wear a cape and gown you can order both at the University Bookstore in Coffman Memorial Union.

We strongly encourage students to take advantage of the discounts offered through the UMN Bookstore's yearly Grad Fest.

Please remind your friends and family to leave plenty of time to arrive and find parking on campus. We suggest you explore all University parking options and plan ahead. All guests will go through metal detection this year, please allow 15 additional minutes for this process.

For individuals with mobility concerns, Northrop has several accessible entrances and an accessible drop-off and pick-up location on its east side.

Note: The Church Street Garage can get congested during large events. You may end up waiting in line. We suggest considering alternative East Bank parking locations.

GradImages will attend the College of Design Celebration and will be taking photographs of each graduate. They will send you color proofs via your U of M email and, if you decide to purchase copies of your photo, the proofs will be mailed within a week of the ceremony.

Guests are encouraged to relax in their seats and limit their personal picture-taking to before or after the ceremony.

To share your graduation photos with us, tag @umndesign on Instagram. We may feature your photos on our social platforms. 

Yes! The College of Design Commencement will be live-streamed. You can find the link to the live-stream here.

If you are a student who is receiving a cord, you will receive a message from your Academic Advisor letting you know to stop by one of the Student Services offices to pick up your cord between Monday, May 4 - Wednesday, May 13. Students can stop by a Student Services office at 107 Rapson Hall or 32 McNeal Hall between the hours of 9:00-4:00 Monday-Thursday.

If you are an undergraduate student graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or above, and/or if you are completing the honors program, please be sure to note that on the online survey you received in March.

• If you graduate with an overall GPA of 3.750 – 3.889, you will earn a level of Distinction.
• If you graduate with an overall GPA of 3.900 or higher, you will earn a level of High Distinction.
• Latin Honors: for students participating in the University Honors Program (UHP).

A notation will be included next to your name in the printed program.

Most students receive their diplomas two to three months after completing their degree requirements. For diplomas sent to an international address delivery may take an additional two to three months longer. Be sure to contact your advisor if you have questions or concerns about completing your degree requirements.

Your diploma does not indicate your major or minor. These details are recorded on your official transcript. 

You can watch previous College of Design Commencement Ceremonies on the College of Design YouTube page.

Commencement is a day of celebration and achievement for all of our graduates. We ask that everyone show respect by allowing each graduate their moment to be recognized on stage without disruption.

The University of Minnesota and the College of Design respect free speech and the First Amendment rights of all of our community members. Commencement, however, is not the appropriate forum to express those rights. Disruptions of the ceremony could result in immediate removal from the building, a possible hold on your degree, and/or issuance of a trespass order.