GradFest is the only time graduates can get discounts on their regalia and other graduation items like diploma frames, photo packages, announcements, gifts and more! Attendance is free; no registration is required.

MCAE’s annual Celebration of Achievement is a graduation celebration that brings together undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who have been a part of the MCAE community and recognizes their accomplishments and achievements by gifting graduates an MCAE stole to wear for commemorative photos or during their formal college graduation ceremony At this event, graduates will have the opportunity to pick up an MCAE stole and take a headshot or group photo with a professional photographer.

The Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer & Trans Life and the Schochet Endowment Lavender Celebration recognizes the achievements of graduating all LGBTQIA+ students and honors faculty, staff, community members and students who have advanced inclusion, support and education around LGBTQIA identities.

Celebrate your achievements at this fun, festive and FREE event hosted by the Alumni Association, where soon-to-be alumni can enjoy sweet treats, sample beverages from alumni-owned breweries, meet alumni and get advice for the 'real world', take photos with Goldy, explore ways to stay connected with the U of M as alumni, and more! Learn more about The Send Off event 

You are eligible to participate if your degree was awarded in the University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Biological Sciences during one of the following semesters:

• Summer 2024
• Fall 2024

You may also participate if you are a University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Biological Sciences student and your Expected Graduation Term (EGT) in MyU is one of the following:

• Spring 2025
• Summer 2025
• Fall 2025

Beginning in February, all eligible students will receive an email from [email protected] inviting them to register for the commencement ceremony. You may also complete the RSVP form. The deadline to register is Thursday, April 1, 2025. 

If you decide you want to participate in the ceremony after April 1, it is possible. However, we cannot guarantee your name and awards will be listed in the printed program after April 1, even though we do our best to plan ahead.

No, they are different processes. 

Participation in the Commencement ceremony is not automatic, so you must register if you wish to participate. The degree application is automatically processed based on your Expected Graduation Term (EGT) in your MyU account. For this reason, it is very important that your EGT is correct. If your EGT is incorrect, contact your CBS academic advisor. 

You can learn more about the graduation process and steps on the Graduation Steps website.

Tickets are not required for guests. Graduates can bring unlimited guests. 

Graduates check in by last name at the Mariucci loading dock (off of 5th Street SE) from 3:45-4:30 p.m. You will receive a card that states your name, phonetic spelling, and major(s). You will hand this card to the name reader as you walk across the stage. Once you are checked in, graduates will line up by major (not alphabetically) along the Zamboni corridor. Student Marshals and staff volunteers will be available to assist with line-up and answer any questions. NOTE: There will not be a place to store valuables, so please leave any bags or personal items with your guests.

Guest seating will open at the East Main Lobby of Mariucci at 4 p.m. (4 Oak Street SE). The ceremony begins at 5 p.m. Seating is General Admission, unless you indicate a need for special accommodations in your RSVP.

Yes! You may download a formal invitation for the ceremony here.

Graduates will process onto the arena floor following the Faculty Marshal for each major. Student Marshals will direct you to fill in each row of seating. Once you are in the arena, remain standing until the Dean seats you. The Student Marshals will release graduates row by row to receive their diploma covers. Keep your name card with you. You will hand it to the student marshal assisting the name readers before you cross the stage. At the end of the ceremony, faculty will lead the recession out of the arena. You will walk up the stairs to the concourse level of Mariucci and out to the front entrance. Look to the student marshals for direction.

Although we don’t require participants to wear regalia (a cap and gown), it is strongly encouraged. Most graduates do wear a cap and gown, as well as the CBS tassel or the one that they received during their first-year at Convocation. You can buy a graduation cap and gown at UMN Bookstores, located in Coffman Union or online.

Absolutely! Be creative, but keep it family-friendly!

Your diploma will be mailed to you 6-8 weeks after graduation. It is up to you to make sure your diploma is mailed to the correct address. Your diploma will be mailed to the address that appears in MyU: My Info. Find more information about your diploma at One Stop. 

You’ll receive a diploma cover from the dean as you cross the stage. 

Students who meet a specific GPA or Honors Program threshold may receive special recognition. If, at the end of the fall semester, you have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75, you will receive the “distinction” recognition. If your GPA is 3.9 or higher, you will receive “high distinction” recognition. Both distinctions come with a special cord to wear at commencement. You will receive an email from CBS Student Services with instructions for picking up your cord in late April or early May. Please note that only one set of cords will be issued, and it is your responsibility to bring them 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 held prior to Commencement.

If you are a graduating Dean's Scholar and have not gotten information about receiving your cord, please reach out to Aryn Lipnicki at [email protected].

Students are able to request accommodations for themself or any of their guests when they RSVP to attend commencement. Students and guests will receive an email closer to the event with more information. If you have any additional requests or clarifications you’d like to make, please email [email protected].

Graduates and guests have many options for parking, which can be viewed using the Parking and Transportation Services map. The cost of parking in the following lots is $10 per car:

• Lot 37
• Maroon lot
• Fourth Street Ramp
• University Avenue Ramp

There are ADA accessible parking spots in each lot. In addition, there is metered parking on 4th Street, Oak Street, and Fifth Street. While these are the closest parking options, feel free to park where you find space, as many lots will be busy the day of Commencement.

There may be construction taking place on University Avenue the day of Commencement, which may impact travel time to Mariucci Stadium. Please keep this in mind when planning your departure time. 

We are dedicated to keeping Commencement safe, like any large public gathering. For this reason, there will be metal detectors stationed at the entrance of the arena. 

The following items are prohibited at 3M arena:

• Balloons
• Bags and backpacks larger than 8 ½” x 11” (All bags are subject to search.)
• Weapons
• Noisemakers
• Laser pointers
• Signage
• Flags
• Cans, bottles, thermoses
• Smoking devices, tobacco products, illegal drugs, alcohol

For a complete list of prohibited items, please visit the 3M Arena at Mariucci Stadium building policies page.

No concessions are available for guests or graduates on May 17, 2025.