Alumni Commencement 2022

 

CLA's special in-person Alumni Commencement Ceremony for the Classes of 2020 and 2021 is Saturday, May 14, at noon in 3M Arena at Mariucci. You will experience the same things that happen at the Sunday ceremonies for the Class of 2022, including:

  • Full procession of dignitaries, faculty, and graduates
  • Commencement address (tailored to the Classes of 2020 and 2021)
  • All graduates crossing the stage individually as their names are called
  • Each graduate’s name displayed on the big screen and the livestream as their names are called

Frequently Asked Questions

During March 2022, you will receive print and email invitations for the special alumni commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 14, 2022 ceremony if you graduated with a bachelor's degree from CLA in:

  • Summer 2019
  • Fall 2019
  • Spring 2020
  • Summer 2020
  • Fall 2020
  • Spring 2021

Unlike the Sunday ceremonies, the number of guests you can invite for the Saturday ceremony is not limited at this time. (However, the number of guests allowed is subject to change due to any COVID safety guidelines that may develop.)

All seating is general admission on a first-come, first-served basis, so specific seats and/or consecutive seats are not guaranteed. 

Yes, a link to the live webcast will be added prominently to this webpage on the day of the ceremony.

Safety guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health evolve, so check the COVID-19 Protocols for the 3M Arena at Mariucci and the University's Safe Campus website for the most up-to-date requirements.

Between 10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., graduates need to check in at the Maturi Sports Pavilion located across the street from Mariucci Arena on Fourth Street SE. 

Graduates will line up in random order. To sit with a friend, that person should be in front of or behind you in line.

Guests can arrive up to 75 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. (If they arrive earlier, the doors may be locked because we are prepping for the ceremony.)

All guests are encouraged to park in lots recommended on the 3M Arena at Mariucci webpage.

This is a printable map showing the entire East Bank campus, including parking areas. This is an online map for the 3M Arena at Mariucci and surrounding areas.

Yes. Persons with accessibility needs can be dropped off at the ground-level entrance on the northeast corner of the 3M Arena at Mariucci (access to this area is located between 5th and Oak Streets). Parking is not allowed in the transitway, but drivers with state-issued disability permits may park in designated spaces in nearby parking facilities, such as Lot 37. 

Once inside, there is an elevator to the seating level, with wheelchair seating areas and seats (top row) that do not require the use of stairs. The arena has adapted restrooms. Both ceremonies are live streamed and closed captioned on giant monitors in the arena. 

If you have additional questions or if you would like to request an ASL interpreter, email claevents@umn.edu at least two weeks before the commencement ceremony.

Yes. For example, balloons are NOT allowed in the arena. (No exceptions, due to fire codes.) 

Your guests are welcome to bring flowers. Flowers will also be available for purchase in the lobby of the arena and can be pre-ordered.

See the 3M at Mariucci Arena Policies & General Procedures for prohibited items and the bag policy. There are no camera restrictions for commencement ceremonies (the camera policy only applies to sporting events).

No. If you must bring a purse, backpack, coat, or other personal items, please leave them with your guest(s) in the audience. You will not be able to leave anything behind where you check in.

All 2020 and 2021 graduates who were eligible for any regalia such as a set of distinction cords, medallion, or stole were contacted during the spring of their commencement year about receiving them by mail. Our entire supply of these items has been delivered, so extras cannot be made available for pick-up at the ceremony.

 

For questions related to the alumni commencement ceremony that are not addressed here, email claevents@umn.edu

Should circumstances change yet again due to COVID, we will follow all guidelines from federal, state, and University health authorities for an event of this size, including postponing it if necessary.