2025 Commencement at Dakota State University (A-Z Guide)

Attendees of the hooding ceremony must enter through the main east doors of the Dakota Prairie Playhouse. Graduates will access the conference center space for staging through the main doors. Restroom facilities in the lobby of the Dakota Prairie Playhouse are open to the hooding ceremony attendees. Doors open at 8 a.m. for the hooding ceremony for graduates and attendees. The ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m.

Attendees of the commencement ceremony must enter through the main west entrance to the DSU Fieldhouse. Restrooms in the Fieldhouse lobby are open to ceremony attendees. Doors open at 9 a.m. to allow attendees to be seated. The ceremony begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. with the formal procession.

Graduates will stage in the Madison Community Center double gym and are encouraged to enter through Door 4 of the community center. Restroom facilities in the Fieldhouse will be available for graduates in that space.

Accessible seating and accommodations are available upon request. Please email events@dsu.edu or call 605-256-5666 for more information. These seats are included in your five (5) total tickets.

• Guests are encouraged not to bring outside food and beverages into the facilities. Vending machines and water fountains are available.
• NO aluminum, glass, metal, or steel bottles/containers.
• Medically necessary items that fall under this category are allowed but must follow guidelines (See Medically Necessary Items below).
• NO hydration packs
• The venue is tobacco free.
  • Prohibited tobacco items include: alcohol of any kind, cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, chewing/smokeless tobacco, sniff/snus, pipes, water pipes, bidis, and kraters, vapes, or vape refills.

Pets are not permitted within DSU athletics facilities. Service animals are permitted.

• Graduates will not have bag storage during the ceremony and are encouraged to arrive with only what they need for the ceremony.
• Diaper bags and appropriate items within (bottles, formula, breast milk, sippy cups, wet wipes, diapers, etc.) are allowed.

Banners and signs are allowed in the audience if they are in good taste, follow the event code of conduct (below), non-commercial, no larger than 8.5" x 11”, and do not obstruct views or facility signage. They cannot be on poles or hung in a fixed location. Staff reserves the right to remove any banner or sign. Banners and signs are not allowed on stage at any time.

Cameras are permitted. Camera bags, monopods, selfie sticks, tripod, GoPro mounts, and other attachments are not allowed. Drones are not allowed.

Event Management and Police Department personnel reserve the right to remove any attendees who disobey any policies or present a safety risk.

The following behavior is prohibited:

• Abusive, foul, or disruptive language and obscene gestures
• Fighting, taunting, or threatening remarks or gestures
• Obscene or indecent clothing
• Inappropriate displays of affection
• Sitting in a location other than your assigned seating zones
• Interference with the event
• Trespassing into restricted areas
• Any activities prohibited by law

Designated areas in front of the Dakota Prairie Playhouse and DSU Fieldhouse are available for dropping off passengers.

Please contact university staff in the facilities if first aid is necessary. In case of emergency, dial 911.

Lost items are kept by university staff in the DSU Fieldhouse lobby through the event. Unclaimed items (except clothing) are turned over to Events Staff after the event. For information on lost items, please contact 605-256-5666.

Dakota State University Commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live, for free. The live stream for each of the ceremonies will begin 15 minutes prior to the start. 

Official media representatives wishing to cover the ceremonies must RSVP to mediarelations@dsu.edu by Noon on Thursday, May 7. Official media have access to both the Graduate Hooding Ceremony and the main Commencement Ceremony in the Fieldhouse on Saturday.

Please be aware of the current road construction on Highway 34 and Eagan Avenue in Madison. Plan for additional travel time or consider alternate routes.

Graduates and their guests are invited to park in lots designated for commencement attendees. These are located near the Dakota Prairie Playhouse, DSU Fieldhouse and Beacom PREMIER Complex. As well, parking is encouraged along public roadways, where allowed by law, and in additional parking locations throughout campus.

Campus guests who are not physically attending commencement ceremonies are asked to park in lots located near Heston Hall, the Karl E. Mundt Library, and Kennedy Center, along the streets south of East Hall, or at Madison High School and along residential streets.

• Cameras, though accessories including monopods, selfie sticks, tripod, GoPro mounts, and other attachments are not allowed.

• Flat seat cushion
• Extra clothing
• Diaper bag

• Banners and signs not larger than 8.5” x 11”, provided they are in good taste, follow code of conduct (above) and are not of a commercial nature. Banners and signs are not allowed on stage at any time.

• Binoculars
• Medically necessary items

• NO bicycles, skateboards, skates, hoverboards, Segways, or electric scooters
• NO chairs or stools
• NO blankets, towels, or sheets
• NO coolers (exceptions may be made for medical use)
• NO drugs or drug paraphernalia
• NO eye drops
• NO weapons of any kind (guns, ammo, knives of any size, tasers, pepper spray/mace, etc.)
  • This also applies to off-duty law enforcement and concealed carry permits
• NO strollers
• NO umbrellas of any size
• NO walkie talkies or two-way radios
• NO large full head masks, including headdresses
• NO laptop computers or tablets
• NO lasers or pointers
• NO metal aerosol containers, including sunscreen, pepper spray, bug spray, or spray paint (non-flammable are permitted)
• NO flashlights
• NO flammables (fireworks, explosives, road flares)
• NO flyers, samples, giveaways, or promotional items
• NO noisemaking devices
• NO balls or frisbees
• NO pliers

Commencement programs will be available closer to the commencement date as details are finalized.

A professional photographer will take photos of each graduate and can be purchased directly from the photographer. Guests may take their own photographs during the ceremony but must remain outside of the candidate seating area, in order to ensure an enjoyable ceremony for all candidates. Guests will have time after the ceremony to take personal photographs on the stage, near commencement flags, and other spots within and around the DSU Fieldhouse.

Accessible restrooms are available for attendees to use in the Dakota Prairie Playhouse and DSU Fieldhouse.

The Hooding Ceremony will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse. Doors will open at 8 a.m. to allow guests to be seated. No tickets are needed for this ceremony. All master's and doctoral graduates should arrive in their regalia by 8:15 a.m. and go directly to the conference room area to line up.

The Commencement Ceremony will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m., and the Fieldhouse doors will open at 9 a.m. to allow guests to be seated. All graduates, master's and doctoral graduates should arrive by 9:45 a.m. at the Madison Community Center double gym, by way of Door 4.

All Dakota State University facilities are tobacco-free. Prohibited tobacco items include: cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, chewing/smokeless tobacco, sniff/snus, pipes, water pipes, bidis, and kraters, vapes, or vape refills.

Please note that reserved tickets are required for entry to the Fieldhouse Ceremony. All tickets for the ceremony have been distributed and are no longer available. Tickets can be printed or digitally saved and presented at commencement. Tickets have been distributed to graduates’ trojans.dsu.edu emails to share with guests.

Tickets should be transferred to guests ahead of ceremony entrance, as graduates and guests will enter separately (see Access above).

Every guest must have a ticket to be admitted, including children over the age of 2. This ticket policy will be strictly enforced.

Graduates are not required to have a ticket for themselves.

If your guests do not have a valid ticket, they will be asked to walk over to the Dakota Prairie Playhouse for the livestreamed ceremony. No tickets are required for that viewing location.

Ushers are there to assist you and enforce facility rules. Treat them with courtesy and respect. Their role is to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all guests.

For information not listed here, please contact 605-256-5666.