Commencement Details

Nearly 3,000 students graduate from UND each year.

Commencement events are open to the public and tickets are not required.

Summer & Winter Commencement | Chester Fritz Performing Arts Center

Summer and Winter Commencement ceremonies are held at the Chester Fritz Performing Arts Center.

• You do not need to sign up to participate.
• Please arrive 60 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
• Doors to the guest seating area will be opened 60 minutes prior to the start of the summer and winter ceremonies.
• There are no limits to the number of guests graduates can invite to the ceremonies.
• Parking is free.
• Graduates should consider carpooling with their guests.
• You will be marching and standing a good part of the time; therefore, low-heeled, comfortable dress shoes are recommended.
• Since there are no secure areas to leave personal belongings, it is recommended that jackets, purses, and other personal items be left with your guests.

Spring Commencement | Alerus Center

Spring Commencement is held at the Alerus Center.

• You do not need to sign up to participate.
• Please arrive 60 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
• Doors to the guest seating area will be opened 60 minutes prior to the start of the graduate degrees ceremony and 90 minutes prior to the start of the undergraduate degrees ceremony.
• There are no limits to the number of guests graduates can invite to the ceremonies.
• Parking is free.
• Graduates should consider carpooling with their guests.
• You will be marching and standing a good part of the time; therefore, low-heeled, comfortable dress shoes are recommended.
• Since there are no secure areas to leave personal belongings, it is recommended that jackets, purses, and other personal items be left with your guests.
• Parking is located at the south and east lots of the Alerus Center.
• Graduates should enter Doors #4 or #5 for easy access to the assembly area in the Alerus Ballroom.
• Guests should enter Door #1 at the southeast corner of the Alerus Center.
  
• Walk thru metal detectors will be in use for the Spring Commencement Ceremonies at all entrances. Attendees are encouraged to leave non-essential items at home or in their vehicle. Please limit your carry-in items to cell phones, keys, wallets, and small clutch bags. Camera bags are still allowed, but will require guests to go through secondary screening.
• Prohibited items in the Alerus Center:
  
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Outside food/beverages
  • Glass vases
  • Helium balloons
  • Alcohol
  • Drones of any kind

Graduate Assembly Process

Upon arrival, follow this procedure:

1. Report to the assembly site.
   1. Spring Commencement: Alerus Ballroom
   2. Summer and Winter Commencement: Chester Fritz Performing Arts Center Rehearsal Room (lower level)
2. You will receive a copy of the printed program and a name card. You must keep this name card and hand it in to the announcer to read your name as you cross the stage.
3. Go immediately to the signs marking your degree and remain there.
4. All candidates should be lined up alphabetically and ready for the processional 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.

Order of Commencement

• Processional
• Welcome and introductions from the President
• Singing of "America the Beautiful"
• Greetings from the State Board of Higher Education
• Conferring of honorary degrees (if awarded)
• Speaker (if presenting)
• Presentation of the Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor (if awarded)
• Conferring of academic degrees
• Walk across the stage and hand shakes
• Alumni greetings
• Singing of the "Alma Mater"
• Recessional

Length of Ceremony

The length of each ceremony differs by the number of degrees granted.

• The summer and winter ceremonies are approximately two hours in length.

• The spring ceremony for graduate degrees is approximately two hours in length and the spring ceremony for undergraduate degrees is approximately three hours in length.

Photography

The University has contracted the services of The Grad Team for all commencement ceremonies. This service will provide a photograph of each graduate who crosses the stage and shakes hands with the President along with a posed photograph.

Graduates will see their proofs via email a few days after the ceremony.  View and order portraits at TheGradTeam.com/UND. Customer Service Phone Number 1-800-482-0321 or email Help@TheGradTeam.com.