Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Contact
Macalester Reunion1600 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105 651-696-6295
alumnioffice@macalester.edu
| Click the links below to navigate the Frequently Asked Questions |
|---|
| Accessibility |
| Class Dinners |
| Educational Programming |
| General Reunion Questions |
| Housing |
| Parking |
| Registration |
Accessibility
Accessibility at Reunion
Update accessibilioty FAQ as follows (since we are shifting our Streamtext plans): Reunion events will be held in wheelchair accessible spaces, and all buildings have elevators or ramps for access. Golf carts will circulate on campus for those requiring assistance. In our major event spaces (Chapel, Gym, Fieldhouse, Mairs Concert Hall, etc.) we will use microphones. Assistive listening devices will also be available. All gender restrooms are available onsite. Certain accommodations such as ASL interpreters or streamtext require additional time to arrange. If you need an ASL interpreter or streamtext services for larger events, we ask that you submit this request two-weeks prior to the event to ensure we can make arrangements. Please let us know of any other accessibility requests with your RSVP.
Can I bring my Service Animal?
Service animals are permitted to accompany people with disabilities in all areas at Macalester: including facilities where students, members of the public, and other participants in services, programs, or activities are allowed to go. Assistance animals (ESA’s) are generally not allowed to accompany persons with disabilities in the same areas (classrooms, facilities, event spaces) that a service animal is allowed. If an assistance animal is requested for campus housing areas/overnight accommodations, please contact Center for Disability Resources for more information (email [email protected] or call 651-696-6275).
I need assistance getting around campus, what are my options?
Golf carts, a.k.a. Alumni Taxis will be available all weekend to help alumni get around on campus. Signs will be posted letting individuals know where they can wait to be picked up or they can just flag down one of the many carts that will be driving around campus looking for anyone who may need a ride.
Class Dinners
How much are the class dinners?
Early Bird pricing until May 2
Class dinner costs:
1966, 1971 Friday Dinner: $50 before May 1, $60 starting May 2, $15 Child pricing (5-12 years)
1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2005, 2011: $58 before May 1, $68 starting May 2, $20 Child pricing (5-12 years)
2016, 2021: $40 before May 1, $50 starting May 2, $15 Child pricing (5-12 years)
For more information, please see the Reunion Costs page.
Where is my class dinner being held?
This information is not available until Reunion Weekend as spaces are assigned based on registration numbers. Exact locations will be posted at registration as well as the Reunion website on the weekend.
Will I be able to register when I arrive on campus for dinner?
We strongly recommend registering in advance if you wish to attend your class dinner, as space is determined based on registered numbers. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase on-site if space is available. Please note that class dinners may sell out.
Educational Programming
What type of programming is available during the weekend?
Please check out the Reunion Schedule of Events for the most up-to-date information!
Do I need to register for a lecture or a panel?
You need to register for Reunion with a $10 registration fee. This will include the opportunity to attend Reunion lectures or panels. Seating for events is on a first come, first served basis.
General Reunion Questions
What is Reunion?
Reunion weekend is our largest alumni gathering of the year which takes place on campus. Macalester College proudly welcomes all alumni back to campus for four days of social and educational events with special celebrations for milestone anniversaries: 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th, 60th, 65th, and 70th year, and all of our Golden Scots (alumni in the class of 1975 and before). Over 1,800 alumni, family, and friends gather during the weekend to reflect, reminisce, and reconnect with the college and each other. Whether you can come for the whole weekend or just one day, there is something for everyone.
Will I know anybody there?
You can check our Who’s Coming website to see who has registered on your class website (activated after registration in March). Please note that it may take 48 hours for your name to appear after you have registered. If you don’t want your name listed on the website, please contact the Reunion planning team at [email protected].
How can I get in contact with classmates?
Connect with your fellow classmates on MacConnect, Macalester’s community platform. Re-launched with improved functionality and new features. Search for classmates, update your profile, post a class note, review your giving history, and more. Please reach out to the Alumni Office at [email protected] with any questions related to MacConnect.
What should I wear?
There is no dress code for Reunion. Please dress comfortably. Some have shared that they plan for casual attire for daytime activities and dressy attire for Saturday dinners. Note that some events take place on the lawn, like events in the Shaw Field tent, or the Saturday night Tartan Toast party. Heels are not suggested.
Housing
Want to relive your dorm experience? Stay on campus with your fellow classmates and be close to all of the weekend activities. Please note that rooms are booked on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. Just like in your student days, communal housing means there will likely be noise from your fellow alumni Reunion attendees. If you prefer to stay off campus, a list of nearby St. Paul hotels are listed on the admissions website as well as online at Airbnb and VRBO.
On-Campus Housing
Rooms are available from 3 p.m. Thursday through 12 p.m. (noon) on Sunday. Space is limited. If you are hoping to stay on campus during Reunion we strongly recommend registering as early as possible for the best chance to be housed on campus. Registration for housing will be closed once all space has been filled.
What is the cost for on-campus housing?
$150 flat rate per person for Golden Scots Housing: Classes of 1976 and earlier
$175 flat rate per person for General Housing: Classes of 1977 and later
Infant & Toddler On-Campus Housing (Ages 0–4)
Children ages 0–4 are welcome to attend Reunion at no cost.
If you are staying in on-campus housing, you have two options:
Add Housing for a Child: You may register your child for on-campus housing at the standard housing rate ($175) to ensure they have their own bed and linens.
Stay in Your Room: Your child may stay in your room at no additional cost; however, a bed and linens will not be provided. Children staying at no charge will need to provide their own sleeping bag and pillow to sleep on the floor in your room.
Please select the option that best fits your family’s needs during registration.
Room assignments
Rooms are assigned at the close of registration (May 21, 2026). You will receive your room assignment and key upon check-in. If you plan to share your room with another classmate, please contact them in advance to confirm their attendance. You will both need to list each other as your desired roommate in order to secure a room together. We work to group attendees by class year when possible to give you the best chance to reconnect and engage with fellow classmates.
Can I request to stay in a specific residence hall or room?
You can request a specific residence hall or room – however it is not guaranteed. Room assignments for the overall class are based on the number of requests per class. Classes are housed in the same general area.
I want to stay with a classmate, what do I do?
All registrants will have the option to add in their housing preferences when using our online system and should list the name of the person that they wish to room with on the form. Please note that if the person you want to room with does not also request you, we will not place you in the room together.
I would like to have a single room. Is that possible and is there an additional fee?
You can request a single room, or if you do not put the name of another person on your registration form, you will automatically be placed in a room on your own. There is no additional fee to be in a single room.
When will I find out my dorm assignment?
Rooms are assigned at the close of registration. When you arrive on campus you will receive notice of your room assignment and key. Space is limited. If you are hoping to stay on campus during Reunion we strongly recommend registering as early as possible for the best chance to be housed on campus. Registration for housing will be closed once all space has been filled.
What are the check-in and check-out hours for the dorms?
Check in for dorms are open Thursday through Saturday and reflect Reunion registration hours. Hours are listed below:
Check-in and Registration for All Classes:
Lowe Dayton Arts Commons, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
Thursday, June 4: 3:00-7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 5: 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 6: 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Have a dorm reservation, but arriving late?
Please call Public Safety staff at 651-696-6555. An officer will meet you at the west side of the Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center (on Macalester Street, across from parking lot West 2) to give you the room key. In the morning, please check-in at registration to receive your reunion packet.
Check out for on campus housing:
All keys should be returned to the George Draper Dayton (GDD) hall office entry, or at Cafe Mac during the All-Campus Brunch by 12 p.m. (noon) on Sunday morning. Note that there is a $120 lost key fee for all keys not returned, and a $20 fee for lost key cards.
What is included in the dorms?
A linen package, including sheets, blanket, pillow, and towels, is provided for each registered guest in a room. Those staying on campus will be responsible for making their own beds. All beds are twin-sized. Cribs are not available. Individuals will need to bring toiletries, hair dryers, iron, fans, alarm clock, etc. Residence hall accommodations feature bathrooms down the hall from your room (except George Draper Dayton which has private/semi-private baths). We do our best to accommodate requests, but please remember, it’s a dorm room and not a hotel, so plan accordingly.
Suggested Items to Bring:
Toiletries
Hair dryer
Flip-flops for shower
Small fan
Extra blanket or pillow
Water bottle
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Are the dorms air conditioned?
Only George Draper Dayton is air-conditioned. George Draper Dayton has private rooms in suite-style accommodations and may share a bathroom and common area with suite-mates
Are any of the residence halls designated as quiet dorms?
Just like in your student days, communal housing means there will likely be noise from your fellow alumni Reunion attendees. We try to group attendees by class year when possible to give you the best chance to reconnect and engage with fellow classmates. We have a limited number of rooms that face away from the action which may provide a quieter experience. These rooms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who don’t mind staying in a more intergenerational setting. If you’d prefer the possibility of a quieter room, please indicate that preference in the registration housing section.
Staying in an area hotel
If staying in a residence hall doesn’t sound appealing, check out one of these local hotels. Some offer discount codes for Macalester guests. Ttransportation between your choice of lodging and campus will be your responsibility.
Parking
- Where do I park?
Parking lots are open for alumni parking across campus. Please follow posted signage.
Street parking is also available on most residential neighborhood streets. Make sure to check for posted city parking signage when parking in neighborhood streets. Please note that we are not able to accommodate RV parking on campus.
Registration
When does registration open?
Registration for Reunion will open online on March 12, 2026. All alumni with an active email will receive an invitation to register online. Early bird pricing will end two weeks before registration closes and online registration will close at the end of May 2026.
How do I register for Reunion?
Online Registration will open March 12, 2026. Please email the Reunion Planning team at [email protected] with any questions.
How much does it cost to attend?
Your $10 registration fee gets you access to a full schedule of faculty lectures, campus tours, and social gatherings as well as a discount at the Highlander Bookstore. In addition, we have on-campus housing and a variety of meals available that you may add to your registration. Please view our Reunion Costs page for more information.
*Please note that there are many different costs associated with bringing your classmates together and supporting reunion classes on campus (including class communications, lectures and performances, golf cart and tent rentals, and more). Macalester does not profit from Reunion fees.
What is the deadline to register?
Online registration will close May 21, 2026. After this date, you may register on-site when you arrive on campus. We strongly recommend advanced registration if you wish to stay in on-campus housing – limited housing may be available at walk-up registration, but is not guaranteed. Advance registration is also strongly recommended if you wish to attend your class-specific meal as space is limited and some dinners have sold out in the past. (see the ‘Class Dinners’ section above for more information).
Some events have discounted Early Bird pricing. Early Bird pricing ends May 1, 2026.
Please view our Reunion Costs page for more information.
Where do I check-in on campus?
Check-in and Registration for All Classes:
Lowe Dayton Arts Commons, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
Reunion Registration Hours:
Thursday, June 4: 3:00-7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 5: 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 6: 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
What type of payments do you accept?
Accepted forms of payment include: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and check. To pay by check, you will need to register over the phone. Please make checks payable to Macalester College.
How will I be notified that I’m registered for the weekend?
Attendees will be sent a confirmation email after registering, which will include your registration details.
Can I attend if it’s not my milestone reunion year?
All alumni are welcome back to campus. We have many events that are open to all including faculty office hours and panels, the All-Class Picnic, and more. For more information, please view our Schedule of Events.
I need to cancel my registration, what do I do?
You may cancel until May 22, 2026 and receive a full refund for your registration. Refunds will be processed by the method of original payment. Email [email protected] or call 651-696-6980. Gifts made to the Macalester Fund are not refundable. Due to fixed costs incurred, no refunds will be made after May 22, 2026.
What if I want to update my registration?
You can update your reservation by emailing [email protected] or by calling 651-696-6295. You may also update your free (non-ticketed) event registrations by using the Self-Service link you received in your registration confirmation. To add or change a meal, or to request a cancellation, please email or call.
I can’t afford to come to Reunion – are there scholarships available?
Many events at Reunion are included with a $10 registration fee and are open to all to attend. Reunion festivities that do incur a fee include meals and housing. At this time, we do not offer financial assistance for transit, housing, or meals.
Why am I seeing questions about pronouns?
No matter your gender identity, gender is important to one’s sense of self. To be misgendered can cause someone to feel threatened, disrespected, or alienated. In a community that values multiculturalism, and as a school that is consistently ranked highly as a place where transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals can live authentically as themselves, we believe it is important to not make assumptions about someone’s gender identity. We ask that all attendees use and respect the pronouns of all community members. Pronoun stickers will be available if you wish to have your pronouns on your nametag.