Family & Guest Information

Do not bring items into the fieldhouse that might detract from the dignity of the ceremony, or take any action that interferes with the ceremony. Unacceptable behavior behavior includes, but is not limited to:

• Picture-taking near or on the stage by the graduates, family members or friends. A professional photographer is hired by the university to provide high quality images as the graduate receives their diploma. Proofs will be sent to you in the week following the ceremony. However, there is no obligation to purchase.
• The stage is for students only and approved faculty and staff. No children, infants, or guests are allowed on the stage at any time.
• Balloons, beach balls,and noisemakers are prohibited at all ceremonies.
• Alcohol is not to be brought to and/or consumed at the ceremony.
• St. Thomas is a tobacco-free campus and smoking, or vaping, is not permitted.
• Strollers are not permitted within the fieldhouse due to limited space. There will be a stroller corral inside the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Center Fieldhouse where guests can leave strollers during the ceremony. Ushers will direct guests to the stroller corral. The corral will be supervised during the ceremony. However, St. Thomas cannot take any responsibility for lost or damaged strollers.

The University of St. Thomas is located at 2115 Summit Ave. Saint Paul, MN 55105. Get details on directions to campus and parking at commencement.

In addition, be sure to check your route to campus for any road construction or crashes that may cause delays.

As noted earlier, commencement ceremonies will be held indoors.

Seating is available for commencement ceremonies in the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. Ushers will be seating all guests as they arrive.

Strollers are not permitted within the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. There will be a stroller corral inside the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena where guests can leave strollers during the ceremony. Ushers will direct guests to the stroller corral. The corrals will be supervised during the ceremony. However, St. Thomas cannot take any responsibility for lost or damaged strollers.

Picture-taking by graduates, family members, or friends on or near the stage is not permitted. A professional photographer has been retained by the university to provide high quality images as the graduate receives their diploma. Proofs will be sent a week after the ceremony. There is no obligation to purchase.

Students will be seated and called to cross the stage within their designated college or school and will not be called in alphabetical order. Please listen attentively as students are called to receive their degrees. A video board will allow you to have a clear view of your student crossing the stage from your seat.

Graduates who are not able to attend in person and register to participate virtually, will still be represented at their designated ceremony. Watch carefully for your graduate’s announcement so you can celebrate their special moment.

There will be several photo opportunities on the lower quad for graduates and guests to take photos. We understand and honor your desire to commemorate this occasion with photos, hugs, and greeting fellow graduates and families.

Please note: After each ceremony, guests and graduates will remain in their designated areas until each group is ushered separately out of the facilities. Guests and graduates will not be allowed to co-mingle in the arena following the ceremonies for pictures. Instead, our event staff will guide all parties to the lower quad separately to celebrate this wonderful day.