Information for Family & Guests
To all families and friends:
You are cordially invited to join us in celebrating the achievements of our graduating class at the North Dakota State University Commencement ceremonies.
We welcome you to Fargo and to North Dakota State University. If you have additional questions, please contact Jackie Schluchter at jackie.schluchter@ndsu.edu.
Arrival, Parking, and Seating
- No tickets or guest passes are required to attend the ceremony, all guests are welcome
- Map and directions to the Fargodome
- Parking at the Fargodome is free for NDSU's Commencement ceremony
- Guests may enter through any general entrance of the Fargodome (doors open 1 hour prior to the start of the ceremony)
- Guest seating is restricted to the concourse level and is available on a first-come, first-served basis
- Wheelchair seating is available in the northeast and northwest corners of the Fargodome
- The Participant Seating chart is available to assist guests in seat selection
Special Assistance and/or Reasonable Accommodations
- 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
- Hearing assisted devices may be checked out at the Guest Services desk on the concourse of the Fargodome
- Limited mobility space for guests is available on a first-come, first serve basis
- It is recommended for guests with limited mobility needs to enter the Fargodome at the main East lobby and seek assistance from Fargodome Event Services staff or NDSU Commencement Volunteers
- Wheelchairs are available at the Fargodome Guest Services desk located on the East concourse
- Due to space restrictions, we can typically accommodate one additional family member from your group to be seated with the individual needing access. Remaining family members are often able to be seated in close proximity to the limited mobility access area.
- Ushers are also prepared to assist guests with special requirements
Photography
- Professional photographers from Lifetouch Photography will take photos of each candidate during the ceremony
- Candidates will receive information from Lifetouch after the ceremony regarding the option to purchase prints
- Ordering information is also posted on the NDSU Events page of the Lifetouch web site after the ceremony
- Guests may take photographs at any time from your seat during the ceremony
- After the ceremony, guests may also use the special photo areas which are set up in the main lobby and the northeast and northwest corners of the concourse level of the Fargodome
- Please view the Participant Seating Chart for the seating assignments by academic college
Receptions After the Ceremony
- NDSU colleges will host a reception for graduates and their guests immediately following their respective ceremony. Light refreshments will be served. Locations for specific colleges are as follows:
- Upper-level meeting rooms of the FargoDome
- College of Business - Room 201/202
- College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources - Room 203/204
- College of Engineering - Room 203/204
- College of Human Development and Education - Room 201/202
- Main lobby (east side) of the FargoDome
- College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Science and Mathematics
- College of Health Professions
- College of University Studies
- College of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies
- Upper-level meeting rooms of the FargoDome
Hotel Accommodations
- There are a variety of hotel accommodations in the Fargo-Moorhead area. The Convention and Visitor's Bureau web site can assist you in selecting accommodations.
Questions or comments regarding Commencement? …contact the Office of Registration and Records at 701-231-7981, 1-800-608-6378, or ndsu.registration.records@ndsu.edu.
For questions regarding graduation requirements, including degree progress and academic honors, contact your College Liaison (Undergraduate students) or the College of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies (Graduate students).
