Commencement Information

Guest Seating 

Graduates will receive an email on Tuesday, April 2, with a unique link that will allow them to electronically request seats for up to six guests. No paper tickets will be distributed for the event; however, due to space constraints, reservations are required. All seats are free and general admission. Graduates will receive an email on Monday, April 29, to request additional guest seating if space allows.

Guest seating is available in the bleachers and permanent seating areas in Memorial Auditorium. Floor seating is reserved for faculty, graduates, and guests with mobility needs. Additional seating is available in Birkeland Alumni Lounge, where the ceremony will be livestreamed and the space is air-conditioned.

Accommodations

To make our programs and activities accessible to all, we ask that individuals requiring accommodations for special needs please contact Allison Gronseth, disability services coordinator, in the Center for Holistic Health at agronset@cord.edu or by calling 218.299.3514.

Graduate Attire

Undergraduate Students

All students participating in the Commencement ceremony must purchase a cap and gown from the Cobber Bookstore to wear to the ceremony. The Bookstore will host Cap and Gown Days from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. April 18-19. If students are unable to attend Cap and Gown Days, they may still stop by the Bookstore to pick up their cap and gown or they may order online starting Monday, April 22.

The college does not provide honors cords for institutional honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude).

Students are not to wear any personal embellishments on their cap or gown. Students may wear embellishments (cords, stoles, and pins) from college-sponsored academic honors programs and organizations only. Cords, stoles, and pins are managed by departments and campus offices; students will be notified by the department/office if they will receive an embellishment to wear at commencement.

Master’s Students

Master’s students received separate communication from the Cobber Bookstore with information on how to order graduation garb. The deadline to order a cap, gown, and hood is March 1. If you have additional questions, please contact the Bookstore at bookstore@cord.edu or 1.800.828.6409.

Master’s students will receive their hoods during the ceremony.

Parking

Guests are welcome to park in any campus parking lot. Handicapped parking is available in the G3 lot near the Hvidsten Hall of Music (1112 5th St. S.) and Pool.

Professional Photographs

The Grad Team will be taking professional photos during the Commencement ceremony. Please visit The Grad Team events page to pre-register to receive notifications when your images are ready to be viewed. Graduates will be able to find their photos by visiting The Grad Team events page and clicking on the ceremony. Any questions can be directed to gradteam@thegradteam.com.