North Dakota State University

Commencement Ceremony Instructions

• Special Assistance and/or Reasonable Accommodations
• Arrival
• Line-Up
• Processional
• Photography
• Academic Apparel
• Academic Demeanor
• Receiving Your Diploma Cover/Returning to Your Seat
• Recessional
• College Receptions After the Ceremony

• Have your reader card scanned/confirmed and your photo taken.
• Locate your college or Graduate School line-up row. Each college is organized alphabetically by degree. The beginning of the alphabet starts at the T-stand and progresses along the floor tape to the curtain. A college marshal will assist you in the line-up process. 

• Remain in single-file and alphabetical order at all times.
• Your college marshal will lead you in the processional.
• Walk briskly as you proceed toward the candidate seating area.
• Move quickly down the row of chairs as far as possible and seat yourself.
• Thereafter, stand and sit as directed either from the podium or by your college marshal.
• If you play in the musical ensemble, at the appointed time, leave your chair and return to it to maintain alphabetical order.

• 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 cap and gown (including corsages).
• The “With Honor” medallion is worn around the neck. (Available for purchase from the NDSU Bookstore. Criteria for this honor are given in Frequently Asked Questions.
• The following are worn around the neck: Blue Key, Golden Key, Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board, Pi Sigma Alpha, Psi Chi, University Honors program, and Upsilon Pi Epsilon medallions; Beta Gamma Sigma, Gamma Sigma Delta, Lambda Pi Eta, National Residence Hall Honorary, Phi Alpha Theta, Phi Eta Sigma, Rho Chi, Sigma Theta Tau, and Phi Upsilon Omicron honor cords; Tau Beta Pi white satin collar; Pi Tau Sigma and Tau Sigma Delta stoles. All are available from the respective student organization.
• Elementary Education graduates: Contact VCSU for honor awards. You may wear VCSU 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 caps and 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.
• Shake hands with the Dean of your college and the President.
• 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!