CSE Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony

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

Summer 2025
Fall 2025

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

Spring 2026
May/Summer 2026
Fall 2026

Beginning in January, all eligible students will receive an email from [email protected] inviting them to register for the commencement ceremony. If your Expected Graduation Term (EGT) changes in MyU after the initial invitations are sent, you will receive a new invitation to register for commencement once your EGT is updated.

You must register if you wish to participate in the ceremony. 

No, students who wish to participate must register by the April deadline.

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, email the CSE Academic Advising office at [email protected] with your correct EGT so it can be updated. 

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

Students who graduate in the fall may attend commencement either the spring before or the spring after they complete their degree. Students graduating in fall 2025 or fall 2026 will receive commencement communications for spring 2026. If you have already attended commencement or plan to attend the following year, you may request to be removed from the list.

Most likely, yes! Contact your department directly for more information.

No, the departmental events are separate from the collegewide commencement ceremony.

In March, students registered for commencement will receive an email inviting them to self-nominate for the student speaker role. 

To apply, submit the following via the form provided in the email:

• A short essay (up to one page) outlining your intended speech topic
• A copy of your resume
• The name and email address of a CSE faculty member who can serve as a reference

The Commencement Committee will review all submissions, select the student speaker by early April and notify all applicants.

Although we don’t require participants to wear regalia it is strongly encouraged. Regalia and other graduation related items can be purchased through the UMN Bookstores. 

The Bookstores will also host GradFest each March, which will have information on graduation services and products. GradFest is the best way to prepare for commencement while saving money. For event details, visit the U of M Bookstores event page.

Absolutely! Be creative, but keep it family-friendly! Cap decorations should not include profanity, references to drugs or alcohol, nudity, or language that constitutes discriminatory harassment based on a protected characteristic.

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 CSE 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.

Due to space constraints, guest tickets will be required. All tickets are free, general admission, and must be claimed by the graduating student. More details about ticketing will be shared after registration begins in January. 

Ticketing policies may change based on venue capacity.

The College doesn't issue personalized or individual invitations for commencement. Instead, email communication sent to your UMN account serves as the official method of notice. Many students use this official communication—along with information posted on the CSE Commencement website—when preparing for family travel and visa support.

If your family members need a visa to attend the ceremony, it's important to know that the College doesn't provide invitation letters for family visitor visa applications. Students are responsible for writing their own letter of invitation, as it is the student—not the College—inviting family members. The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office can provide guidance on what to include in that letter, along with other documents your family may need for their visa appointment.

Please note that ISSS doesn't provide templates, but students are welcome to contact ISSS directly or visit during advising hours with any specific questions. Their contact information is also available on their website.

Additionally, if you require proof of enrollment or your expected graduation date, details on how you can request an official Enrollment Verification letter are available through OneStop Student Services.

While we're unable to provide personalized documentation, these resources—combined with the official communication you'll receive via your UMN email—should meet the requirements for most travel and visa applications.

Yes, ADA-accessible seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchair-accessible doors and an elevator are available for guests to access the main concourse, where the ADA-accessible seating is located.

All guests are encouraged to park in the lots recommended on the 3M Arena at Mariucci webpage. You can also download and print a map of the entire East Bank campus, including parking areas. An online map for the 3M Arena at Mariucci and surrounding areas is also available. For more parking details, visit the University Services Parking & Transportation Services website.

The 2026 CSE Undergraduate Commencement ceremony is at 3M Arena at Mariucci on Thursday, May 14, 1 p.m. 

Graduates should arrive at the Sundet Lobby entrance (1901 4th St.) on the southwest corner of the building by noon to begin the check-in and lineup process. 

Guests should use the main arena doors on the east side of the building (Oak St.), which will open for them at noon.

Historically, the entire ceremony lasts about 2.5 hours.

Yes, for example, balloons are not allowed in the arena (no exceptions due to fire codes). Signs, flags, banners, balloons, and other objects are not permitted in graduate seating areas or on the stage. Graduates and guests who display signs or disrupt the ceremony may face consequences, including possible removal from the venue and disciplinary action under the Student Conduct Code, up to and including expulsion. Your guests are welcome to bring flowers, and flowers will also be available for purchase in the arena lobby and for pre-order from The Commencement Group.

See the 3M at Mariucci Arena policies and general procedures for prohibited items and the bag policy. The 3M Arena Bag Policy will be strictly enforced at the entrance to the arena.

No. If you must bring a purse, coat, or other personal items, please leave them with your guest(s) in the audience. These items are subject to the 3M Arena Bag Policy. You will not be able to leave anything behind where you check in and line up for procession.

Yes. During registration, you'll have the opportunity to record your name for professional readers to reference for pronunciation. At the ceremony, you'll scan a printed or electronic name card just before you cross the stage, so your name can be announced.

Students in the following degree programs are called to the stage in the order listed below. Within each degree, however, there is no specific order; it’s up to the graduates.

• Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
• Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics
• Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering
• Bachelor of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering
• Bachelor of Chemical Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
• Bachelor of Civil Engineering
• Bachelor of Computer Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
• Bachelor of Science in Data Science
• Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences
• Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
• Bachelor of Environmental Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geosciences
• Bachelor of Geoengineering
• Bachelor of Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Bachelor of Materials Science and Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
• Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Physics

If you are graduating with multiple CSE degrees, you may choose to sit with any of your degree programs and will walk across the stage with that degree. You’ll only cross the stage once, but your commencement slide displayed on the big screen for guests will list all the CSE degrees being awarded, along with collegiate and Latin honors.

Yes, a link to the live webcast will be added to the CSE Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony webpage. A permanent link to the recording of the ceremony will also be added to this webpage about a week after the ceremony.

Yes, we use a company called GradImages. The photographers will capture several photos of each graduate as they cross the stage, including candid shots before, during, and after the ceremony. GradImages will contact you directly at your U of M email when the photo proofs are available to view. There is no obligation to purchase photos. 

Visit the GradImages website for more information.

If a disruption occurs, students, staff and faculty should remain calm and seated. UMPD officers and BEST Security staff will manage the situation so the ceremony can safely continue.

If you have a question that wasn’t addressed above or need further clarification, you can email us at [email protected].