College of Design Commencement

Students should go directly 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 all students begins at 1:30 PM. Students must be checked in no later than 3:00 PM.

2. Undergraduate students check-in on the 3rd floor of the Northrop Auditorium.

• Undergraduate students with names beginning with A-M, check-in:
  • West side (faces downtown Minneapolis) of the Northrop 2rd floor
• Undergraduate students with names beginning with N-Z, check-in:
  • East side (faces Rapson Hall) the Northrop 2rd floor
• Graduate students check-in:
  • East side (faces Rapson Hall) of the Northrop, 3rd floor.
     

3. All students will receive a card at check-in that they need to turn in to staff behind the stage. These cards will be given to the photographer, Grad Images. Your personal email address should be added to that card for them to contact you regarding photographs.

4. 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.

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

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

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

8. 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.
 

• 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 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025, or Fall 2025.

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 an invitation via their U of M email address. Students need to fill out the survey embedded within their email invitation to RSVP for the ceremony.

Ticket requests need to be made through the RSVP survey that will be emailed directly to graduating students' U of M inboxes. The deadline to RSVP and request tickets for Commencement is Friday, April 18. Additional tickets will be made available to students between April 21 - May 7.
 

Each student who RSVPs by the Friday, April 18 deadline can request up to 6 tickets. Graduating students do not need a ticket for themselves.

We cannot guarantee that tickets will be available for those who do not take the survey by the deadline. In late April, the college will open up any remaining tickets for graduates to request more on a first-come, first-served basis. Graduating students will be sent a separate email and survey link to request additional tickets once they open.

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. Students may receive discounts on regalia during 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. 

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.

Honors cords are given to students as they check-in at the Northrop Auditorium starting at 1:30 PM. 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.

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.

Please refer to Northrup Auditorium’s policies on restricted items. 

Bag and purse policies do not apply to commencement.