Ceremony Instructions | Commencement

Any student candidate, faculty/staff participant, or stage party member needing special assistance and/or reasonable accommodations (wheelchair, physical disability, etc.) should contact Jackie Schluchter at jackie.schluchter@ndsu.edu at least 2 weeks prior to the ceremony to make arrangements.
Sign language interpreters are on-stage and interpret throughout the ceremony. Please request sign language accessible seating from NDSU Commencement volunteers (wearing white shirts & black pants).

Plan to arrive at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex (SHAC) no later than 45 minutes before the start of the ceremony
Parking — Complimentary parking is available in the R, RF and F Lot
Entering through the SOUTH entrance is preferred (as coat check & reader card tables will be located in the southeast corner of the arena).
Watch for signs and staff directing you to the student assembly areas.

Professional photographers will take photos of each candidate during the ceremony.
Candidates will receive information from the photography compay after the ceremony regarding the option to purchase prints.
Guests may take photographs at any time from your seat during the ceremony.

Gown and mortarboard cap are required academic apparel.
Apparel is available for purchase from the NDSU Bookstore. Bookstore phone: (701) 231-7761 or 800-428-8309 or visit the NDSU Bookstore web site for more information.
The cap is worn with the top parallel to the floor. You will receive instructions at the ceremony regarding tassel placement.
The gown is worn closed.
No decorations should appear on the gown (including corsages).

The "With Honor" medallion is worn around the neck. (Available for purchase from the NDSU Bookstore. See criteria.)
The following are worn around the neck: Alpha Epsilon, Blue Key, Eta Kappa Nu, Golden Key, Mortar Board, Pi Sigma Alpha, University Honors program, and Upsilon Pi Epsilon medallions; Beta Gamma Sigma, Gamma Sigma Delta, Lambda Beta Honor Society, Lambda Pi Eta, National Residence Hall Honorary, Phi Alpha Theta, Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Upsilon Omicron, Pi Lambda Theta, Rho Chi, Sigma Tau Delta, Sigma Theta Tau, and Veteran Honor Society honor cords; Order of Omega, Tau Beta Pi white satin collar; Pi Tau Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, Psi Chi, and Tau Sigma Delta stoles. All are available from the respective student organization.
Elementary Education graduates: Contact Valley City State University (VCSU) for honor awards. You may wear VCSU honors for the NDSU ceremony; however, they are not announced at the ceremony.
Social Work graduates: Contact Minot State University (MiSU) for honor awards. You may wear MiSU honors for the NDSU ceremony; however, they are not announced at the ceremony.

Anyone under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will be asked to leave.
Participants will be asked to remove all unauthorized decorations/items on gowns.
Men are to remove their caps for the National Anthem.
Participants are to remain for the entire ceremony.

Proceed to the stage via the outside aisles. A college marshal will direct you. Remember to bring your reader card with you!
When proceeding toward the stage to receive your diploma cover, give the reader card to the reader assistant collecting the cards.
The Dean of your college will give you your diploma cover.
You will approximately be at the center of the stage; proceed down the center steps.
Proceed down the center aisle. A college marshal will direct you to the appropriate row.
Please be seated after you return to your seat.

Remain seated until after the stage party has exited the arena. Follow the lead of your college marshal.
Pick up your personal items from the check-it table before leaving the floor level. Congratulations on your achievements!

For questions regarding graduation requirements, including degree progress and academic honors, contact your Degree and Records Analyst (Undergraduate students) or the College of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies (Graduate students).