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The ceremony for students receiving undergraduate degrees will be
Saturday, May 17 at noon in the arena of the DECC (Duluth Entertainment
Convention Center). Maps to the DECC are available at Maps for
Commencement. The doors to the arena will open at 10 a.m. Guest
seating is general admission, and all guests need tickets to comply with
the fire marshal restrictions.
The commencement ceremony takes approximately two hours. Graduates will be marching and standing a good part of the time -- low-heeled, comfortable dress shoes are recommended.
Since there is no secure area to leave your personal belongings, you may wish to leave jackets, purses, etc. with family members. A professional photographer will take a portrait of you right before you cross the stage, with a second professional photographer taking your picture as you cross the stage. Families are welcome to take photos following the ceremony.
Candidates for degrees are the highlight of the commencement exercises. Your name will be called and you will cross the stage area. If you need special seating arrangements or help crossing the stage, please email the Commencement Committee.
Any student who has completed course work or received a degree for the 2007-2008 academic year is eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony. Students completing their graduation requirements in fall or spring semesters are eligible to take part in commencement. All students planning to participate in commencement must have the approval of their college office.
All students must file an Application for Degree by these deadlines.
There will be no rehearsal for the commencement ceremony. Graduates must report to the name table between 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Pioneer Hall at the DECC.
Graduates must report to the name card table in Pioneer Hall between 10:30-11:30 a.m. to pick up name cards for the noon ceremony. Students also must be in their proper academic procession lines by 11:40 a.m. Name cards are color-coded and numbered, so graduates know which line to join and their approximate place in line. Line locations are clearly marked. Once you have taken your place in line, follow the instructions of the staff wearing "Commencement Official" badges; they will also answer your questions.
If you are not in your assigned place at the correct time, the procession will begin without you, so please be on time. You will be able to meet with family and guests following the ceremony.
Do not lose your name card. You will hand this card to the reader as you prepare to cross the stage and be recognized during the ceremony. You must present a card in order for the reader to call your name.
When it is time for you to cross the stage, you will proceed to the stage area and wait at the top of the ramp for your name to be read. After you have been recognized, you will come down the other ramp and return to your seat. Please do not eat or drink during the ceremony, and do not chew gum, etc., while the ceremony is in progress, especially when you are approaching the stage to be recognized.
During the recessional, please do not break the academic columns to visit with your friends and relatives.
Seating is general admission, and all guests need tickets. The doors to the arena will open at 10 a.m. If you have someone coming who must have special consideration in regard to seating, please locate an usher for assistance. Elderly and disabled guests are especially advised to arrive early. Tickets will be distributed in April in UMD Stores Lower Level. More information about the tickets can be found on the Commencement Ticket Information page.
Small children acccustomed to sitting still without disturbing those around them are welcome to attend the ceremony; however, this ceremony can last two hours or longer. All guests need tickets, even small children.
Professional photographers will be at the ceremony to take pictures of all graduates right before they cross the stage as well as when they are crossing the stage. Graduates will be mailed color proofs shortly after commencement. Enlargements and prints can be ordered at a reasonable price.
Parking for commencement is at regular Duluth Entertainment Convention Center rates. Parking is also available in downtown Duluth, which is connected to the DECC by a skywalk system.
The commencement program distributed on commencement day will list the names of all undergraduates who have been approved for listing by their college office. All students so approved will be listed in the commencement program, regardless of whether they participate in commencement exercises.
Students who attend commencement will find programs on their chairs when they march in for the ceremony. Please do not pick up a program before the ceremony and carry it in the processional.
Academic costume is mandatory for those students participating in commencement at UMD.
The following rules regarding academic costume are generally used by all colleges and universities in the United States. Candidates should keep in mind that it is appropriate to wear dark clothing and shoes with academic costume. Flowers, decorative jewelry, and emblems are not appropriate. Please do not wear athletic footwear for the ceremony.
Bachelor's Degree Gowns: These gowns are used by all four-year degree candidates. The black bachelor's gown has long pointed sleeves and is worn closed at the top. Hoods are not worn, but caps are worn.
Caps: The cap at the University of Minnesota is the same for all academic degrees. When worn, mortarboards should be flat on the head, not tilted. The long point of the shell should be worn to the rear. Caps are worn throughout the formal academic function except when men remove their caps during the national anthem, and "Hail! Minnesota." Women do not remove their caps.
Tassels: At UMD, tassels are fastened to the top of the cap and hang on the left. Tassels should be switched to the right once candidates are recognized on stage. Your degree and field determine your tassel color. To determine which color tassel you need, click here.
Honors Medallions: Undergraduate degree candidates who are graduating with Latin honors wear honors medallions throughout the commencement ceremony. Students should consult their college office for details on eligibility. The medallions should be worn around the neck, and they need not be returned. Once awarded, they belong to the graduate. Medallions can be picked up at the medallion table prior to the ceremony.
Where to Get Your Cap, Gown and Tassel: Caps, gowns and tassels are available at Lower Level UMD Stores. Staff can help you obtain the correct academic costume if you give them the complete title of your degree and your college. Students on campus should order gowns in person from Lower Level UMD Stores. Out-of-town students can order their caps and gowns in person or online at UMD Stores Online Graduation Source.
Students are encouraged to pick up their caps, gowns and tassels well ahead of the commencement ceremony to avoid any last-minute confusion. You can receive a 20 percent discount off your gap, gown, tassel and diploma frames during Grad Fair, which is Thursday, February 21, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Kirby Ballroom.
Formal graduation announcements are available in Lower Level UMD Stores. The announcements have space for graduates to fill in date, time and location of their ceremony. Personalized announcements may be ordered from Jostens.
Class rings may be ordered from Jostens and from the UMD Stores website. Allow six weeks for delivery. Brochures and information are aavilable at Lower Level UMD Stores.
It is not possible to process final grades and prepare degree lists in time to present diplomas on commencement day. Instead, you will receive a diploma cover when you cross the stage. Diplomas are mailed to all students (whether or not they participate in commencement) approximately three months following the end of the semester that a student applies to graduate. All diplomas are the same size.
Information on degree requirements and diplomas should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid and Registrar, 218-726-800. For cap, gown and tassel information, call Lower Level UMD Stores, 218-726-7286.
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2008
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