CEHD 2026 Graduate Commencement

We look forward to celebrating with you at Commencement on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 3 p.m.   

Check-in will begin at 1:45 p.m. in Williams Arena Lobby, 1925 University Ave SE. You must be lined up by 2:30 p.m. at the latest. Commencement staff will be available to direct you to check-in.  

Parts of Highway 280 near the Twin Cities campus will be under construction throughout Spring–Summer 2026. Be sure to allow extra time for driving and plan to arrive early in case of detours or delays. Please visit the parking and transportation page for more details and updates on the project.

Preparation

• The ceremony is expected to last between two and three hours.
• Bring (or wear) gown, cap, tassel and U of M hood to the ceremony. Masters students can wear their hoods. Doctoral students will be hooded on stage; you will drape the hood over your left arm for the procession. Hoods have a loop that attaches to a button. They work best when worn over a shirt with buttons. Commencement staff may adjust your hood during line-up.
• To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, please adhere to the following policies while in Mariucci Arena:
  • Leave all coats, bags and valuables with your guests as there will not be a secure place for you to leave them. Make sure they adhere to 3M Arena at Maricucci’s bag policy. If you do have any personal items, please make sure they are under your robe. 
  • The University honors free speech and the expression rights of our community members. However, demonstrations or disruptive activities are not permitted inside the venue during this event, to ensure access and enjoyment for all. Commencement events are milestone celebrations for graduating students and their families, and our goal is to ensure students can be properly celebrated for their achievements and that they and their families have a safe and accessible experience.
  • Due to fire regulations, arena aisles must be kept clear. Camera and video equipment, baby carriers, and strollers are not allowed in the aisles.
  • For liability reasons, no one will be allowed on the stage following the commencement ceremony.
  • Smoking is not permitted in this or any other University building.
• Other U of M Twin Cities colleges are also holding graduation ceremonies on campus on Friday, May 15, 2026, so it will be a busy day on campus.
• You may want to eat before you come to the ceremony. There is a lot of waiting in line and then sitting during the ceremony.
• Please distribute your digital tickets to your guests prior to the ceremony. To do this, log in to the Tassel hub, click view under your ceremony, and select the option to send the tickets.
• Please share with your guests that balloons are not allowed in Mariucci Arena and to consider pre-ordering flowers that will be reserved and picked up through a contactless process at Mariucci.
• Please also share with your guests that you will line up and process across the stage by department. Guests may want to sit on the side of the arena where their graduate will be sitting, which is outlined on this map. 
• Photographs will be taken at the event and may be used in University of Minnesota print and online publications, social media, promotions, and/or shared in other ways.
• GradImages will take an individual photo of you on the stage, and you will receive a free proof of this photo within six days following the ceremony. There is no obligation to purchase. 
• The ceremony will be livestreamed on YouTube: z.umn.edu/grad-livestream26

Check-in and procession

• Please check-in beginning at 1:45 p.m. to Williams Arena Lobby, 1925 University Ave SE.
• The procession across University Avenue to Mariucci will start at 2:30 p.m. You must be lined up by this time. 
• Pick up your reader’s card at the entrance of Williams Arena.
• Line-up by department. If you want to sit with friends in your department, it is best to arrive with them. Commencement coordinators will be on hand to provide direction on where to line up for the procession.

Ceremony

• Master's and doctoral students wear the tassel on the left side of the cap for the entire ceremony and do not move it.
• Each row will be signaled by an usher to stand and proceed towards the stage.
• Give your card to the staff person for scanning.
• Name is read.
• Proceed across the stage.
• Greet the Dean and Regent.
• Pose for the photo with the Dean on stage.
• Receive diploma cover; official diplomas are mailed to students from the Office of the Registrar and will not be in the diploma cover during the ceremony.
• An individual commencement picture will be taken while exiting the stage.
• Return to seat.
• At the end of the ceremony, you will not formally process out and will be able to go into the stands to meet your guests.