FAQ for CLA Undergraduate Commencement

CLA Undergraduate Commencement is held once each year (in May) for all fall, spring, and summer graduates. 

During February 2024, you will receive an invitation via your U of M email account with RSVP instructions for the Sunday, May 12, 2024 ceremonies if:

• You graduated with a CLA degree in Summer 2023 or Fall 2023 
• By the time the RSVP system opens in February, you have an Expected Graduation Term (EGT) in MyU of Spring 2024, May Term 2024, or Summer 2024. (See the One Stop Graduation webpage for how to apply for graduation.)
   

There is an 11:00 a.m. and a 4:00 p.m. ceremony. You must attend the ceremony time associated with your major -- no switching to the other ceremony can be accommodated. You will be invited to a time based on your major for the primary bachelor’s degree you are earning:
 
11 a.m. Ceremony
Acting
American Studies
Anthropology
Art
Art History
Astrophysics
Bachelor of Individualized Studies
Biology, Society, and Environment
Chemistry
Computer Science
Dance
Earth Sciences
Economics
Economics-Quantitative Emphasis
Environmental Geosciences
Geography
History
Human Physiology
Individually Designed Interdepartmental
Mathematics
Music
Music Education
Music Therapy
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Sociology
Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Justice
Statistical Practice
Statistical Science
Theatre Arts
Urban Studies
 
4 p.m. Ceremony
African American and African Studies
American Indian Studies
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Chicano-Latino Studies
Classical and Near Eastern Religions and Cultures
Communication Studies
Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature
Dakota Language
Developmental Psychology
English
French Studies
Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies
German, Scandinavian, Dutch
Global Studies
Italian Studies
Jewish Studies
Journalism
Media and Information/Mass Communication
Linguistics
Ojibwe Language
Psychology
Religious Studies
Russian
Spanish and Portuguese Studies
Spanish Studies
Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences
Strategic Communication: Advertising and Public Relations
Studies in Cinema and Media Culture
Technical Writing and Communication

Graduates are asked to limit their in-person guests to six people, because both ceremonies will fill to capacity. 

All seating is general admission (first-come, first-served), and specific seats and/or consecutive seats are not guaranteed. Accessible seating is limited.

Please note that your ceremony will be broadcast live for remote viewing.

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

Typically, each ceremony takes between two and 2.5 hours. The ceremony includes a procession of faculty, students, regents, and other guests, a commencement address, and the presentation of degree candidates. All degree candidates cross the stage as their names are called.

Although we don’t require graduates to wear regalia (a cap and gown), it is strongly encouraged. 99% of all CLA graduates do wear a cap and gown. You can buy a graduation cap and gown at UMN Bookstores, located in Coffman Union or online. 

Students who meet a specific GPA or Honors Program threshold may receive special recognition. 

If, at the end of fall semester, you have a minimum GPA of 3.75, you’ll receive the “distinction” recognition. If your GPA is 3.9 or higher, you’ll receive “high distinction” recognition. Both distinctions receive a special cord to wear at commencement. You will receive an email from CLA Student Services with instructions for picking up your cord during late April/early May. Please note you will only be issued one set of cords, and it is your responsibility to bring it to wear it to the ceremony. 

If you are in the University Honors Program (UHP) and will graduate with Latin honors, UHP will contact you with details about the medallion ceremony that is held prior to commencement.

The undergraduate student speaker for Commencement has a unique opportunity to address their fellow graduates, instructors, and family at the May 12th Commencement ceremonies taking place at 3M Arena at Mariucci!

To qualify as the student speaker, you must be:

• Eligible to graduate
• Scheduled to complete your degree requirements by August 2024
• In good standing with the university

To apply, email the following application materials to Melissa Grosso at grossom@umn.edu by Monday, March 11th at 12pm.

• A cover sheet with your name, major, and contact information, including your phone number and email address.
• A draft of your speech. (There will be time to edit and make changes to your speech if you are the selected speaker.) When spoken, the speech should last no longer than 5 minutes, which is about 750 words. Your speech should reflect on your experiences at the University of Minnesota and in the College of Liberal Arts and address topics that you believe will resonate with your audience. 
• Your current résumé

A committee of CLA staff and students will review the applications and select finalists for interviews in March. The student speaker will be selected by April 5th, and CLA will assist the student speaker in preparing their speech. Any questions can be directed to Melissa Grosso at grossom@umn.edu.

CLA will choose one speaker for our 11AM ceremony and a different speaker for our 4PM ceremony. Please open the "How do I know which ceremony time (11 a.m. or 4 p.m.) is mine?" accordion above to learn which majors are assigned to each ceremony time.

Register as a participant in CLA Undergraduate Commencement by April 10.

Instructions for how to register to attend your commencement ceremony began being shared to you by email on February 19.

No, they are different processes. The application for degree is automatically done based on the Expected Graduation Term (EGT) noted in your MyU account. For this reason, it is very important that your EGT is correct. If your EGT is incorrect, please email your CLA Academic Advisor with your correct EGT so it can be updated.

No. This is not at ticketed event for spectators.

Graduates need to check in at the Maturi Sports Pavilion located across the street from Mariucci Arena on Fourth Street SE. 

For the 11 a.m. ceremony, graduates need to check in between 9:30 and 10:15 a.m. 

For the 4 p.m. ceremony, graduates need to check in between 2:30 and 3:15 p.m. 

Graduates who completed their RSVP before the deadline will be able to line up in random order. (Graduates who registered late will need to line up as directed by the lead student marshal at check-in.) To sit with a friend, that person should be in front of or behind you in line. 

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 clacommence@umn.edu at least two weeks before the commencement ceremony.

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.)

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

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

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 at the Maturi Sports Pavilion where you check in.

Yes. During the RSVP process you will have the opportunity to record your name for professional readers to reference the pronunciation. At the ceremony, you will scan a printed or electronic name card just before you cross the stage, so your name can be announced.

No. Because the majority of students who attend commencement have not completed their degree requirements by the ceremony date, an empty diploma cover is handed to you as you cross the stage. This is standard practice at university graduation ceremonies. 

Your diploma will be mailed to you 6 to 8 weeks after the commencement ceremony. It is up to you to make sure your diploma is mailed to the correct address. Your diploma will be mailed to the diploma address that appears in MyU: My Info.

By default, your diploma will be printed with your primary/legal name, the degree you earned, the confer date, and honors earned (if applicable). If you want to change the name on your diploma you can update your degree name. Your diploma lists only your degree. (Your major, minor and GPA are only listed on your official transcript, not on your diploma.)
 

Yes, we have made arrangements with GradImages to have a professional photographer take three pictures of each student: one as you wait to ascend the stage, one on stage with your diploma cover in hand, and one after you exit the stage.

Links to pre-register online with GradImages prior to Commencement day will be shared here when available.

GradImages will contact you directly when the photo proofs are available to view. There is no obligation to purchase photos.