Reunion 2022: FAQs

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 4 days of social and educational events with special celebrations for milestone anniversaries: 5 year, 10 year, 25 year, and 50th year – which this year will include 1970, 1971, and 1972. 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.

Registration for the weekend will open in mid March. All alumni with an active email will receive an invitation to register online.

You can register for Reunion online or by phone at 651-696-6295. Please email the Alumni Engagement Office at [email protected] with any questions.

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. We have a variety of events included with a $5 registration fee and dinners available for an additional cost throughout the weekend. Please view our Reunion Costs here.

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.

Advance registration will close on May 20, 2022. After this date, you may register on-site when you arrive on campus. We 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 recommended if you wish to attend your class-specific meal as space is limited (see the ‘Class Dinners’ section below for more information).

CHECK-IN and REGISTRATION
Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, 2nd Floor Atrium
Thursday, 1–7:30 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

Accepted forms of payment include, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and check. Please make checks payable to Macalester College.

Attendees will be sent a confirmation letter by email after registering.

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.

You may cancel until May 20, 2022 and receive a full refund for registration. Refunds will be processed by the method of original payment. Call 651-696-6894 or email [email protected]. Note that donations to the Macalester Fund are not refundable. Due to fixed costs incurred, no refunds will be made after May 20, 2022.

You can update your registration after you have received your registration confirmation from [email protected]. At the bottom of that email, click on the “update my registration”.

Many events at Reunion are included with a $5 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.

In alignment with Macalester’s community of care, for all large events on campus held indoors — including Commencement and Reunion — wearing a high quality mask (e.g KN95, N95) will be expected. At these events, we strongly encourage attendees to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations; however, they will not be required. We ask that guests who are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations have a negative antigen test within 24 hours of attending a campus event. Regardless of vaccination status, anyone with symptoms should not attend.

$110 flat rate per person for the 50th & Golden Scots for the weekend
$135 flat rate per person for 45th and younger for the weekend

In recognition of the Classes of 1970 and 1971 51st and 52nd reunions, additional accommodations and hospitality are being held at an off-site location.

Classes of 1970 and 1971 are encouraged to stay at the InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront Hotel or The Saint Paul Hotel in downtown Saint Paul, where room blocks with special group rates are being held for alumni to book. Please request “Macalester College 50 Year Class Reunion 2022” when booking to receive the special rate (offer ends May 5th). Many class specific events and hospitality spaces will be held at the InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront Hotel for these two 50 year reunion classes. Shuttles will be available at set times to bring the Class of 1970 and 1971 registrants to campus for key events – like the Golden Scots Induction and All-Class Picnic – from these hotels.

Please visit your class website for more information:
Class of 1970 homepage
Class of 1971 Website

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 (registration opens in mid March) for the best chance to be housed on campus. Registration for housing will be closed once all space has been filled.

Check-in time: 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 2
Check-out time: by noon on Sunday, June 5
Please note that we are not able to extend reservations for additional days before or after reunion.

For those arriving on campus after general check-in hours, Public Safety will be on-call available to meet you with your dorm key. Once you arrive on Campus, please call Public Safety staff at 651-696-6555. You will meet them at the Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center on-campus to pick-up your dorm key. Please be sure to provide them with your name and class year. In the morning, you will need to check-in at registration to receive your reunion packet.

You can request a specific residence hall or room – however it is not guaranteed. Room assignments for the overall class are based on the # of requests per class. Classes are housed in the same general area. Residence Halls available during Reunion Weekend are Wallace, Turck, 30Mac, and Bigelow. George Draper Dayton will be reserved for those in the class of 1972 for the 50th reunion.

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 they want to room with does not also request you, we will not place you in the room together.

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.

A linen package, including sheets, blanket, pillow, and towels, is provided for each registered guest in a room. Those staying on campus housing 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. Note that only George Draper Dayton is air-conditioned.

Residence hall accommodations feature bathrooms down the hall from your room (except George Draper Dayton which has private/semi-private baths).

All Alumni – Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, 2nd Floor Atrium.
All keys should be returned to George Draper Dayton entry on Sunday morning.

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 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.

If staying in a residence hall doesn’t sound appealing, check out one of the hotels located near Macalester and the airport. Courtesy rates have been established at some hotels and are offered on a first come first served basis. There is a listing available on our Reunion website under “Lodging Options” (transportation between your choice of lodging and campus will be your responsibility).

Member of the Class of 1970 and 1971? In recognition of your 50th reunion milestone, please see more information about your hotel options at the InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront Hotel (where additional programming and hospitality will be located just for your classes) or The Saint Paul Hotel in downtown Saint Paul.

Early bird pricing until May 13th
$30 for the 5th & 10th reunion
$55 for the 25th reunion
$55 for the 50th reunions
$30 for all other classes

After May 13th and on-site
$35 for the 5th & 10th reunion
$65 for the 25th reunion
$65 for the 50th reunions
$35 for all other classes

This information is not available until reunion weekend as spaces are assigned based on registration numbers. Exact locations will be posted at registration on the 2nd floor of the Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center as well as the reunion website on the weekend.

We recommend registering in advance if you wish to attend as space is determined based on registered numbers. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase on-site. Please note that we have had class dinners sell-out in previous years.

Reunion weekend is our largest alumni gathering of the year which takes place on campus. Macalester College proudly welcomes all alumni back to campus. This year, we are recognizing those in classes celebrating their 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th, 60th, and 65th. These classes will be recognized on campus throughout the weekend. There will be special dinner celebrations for milestone anniversaries: 5th, 10th, 25th and 50th – which this year will include 1970, 1971, and 1972. We are excited to offer additional opportunities for intergenerational dining and celebrate all classes in Café Mac featuring local and sustainable fare by Bon Appetit and some throwback favorite food options from different time periods or you may choose to explore the many dining options in our vibrant Twin Cities area.

Here! Thank you to all the Reunion volunteers. Reunion could not happen without you.

Please check out the Reunion Schedule of Events for the most up to date information. Programming for the weekend includes sessions/panels by the Alumni Board, fellow alumni, and on-campus partners including current faculty and staff.

You need to register for Reunion with a $5 registration fee. This will include the opportunity to attend Reunion lectures or panels. Seating for events is on a first come, first served basis.

Access for All. Macalester is committed to hosting inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation or inquire about accessibility, please contact [email protected] or call 651-696-6275.

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 Disability Services for more information (email [email protected] or call 651-696-6275).

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.

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.

Casual attire for daytime activities. Dressy attire for Saturday dinners. Note that the Saturday night party takes place on the lawn, so heels are not suggested.

You can check our website to see who has registered on your class website. 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 our office.

Connect with your fellow classmates on MacDirect, Macalester’s community platform. Re-launched in February 2021 with improved functionality and new features. Search for classmates, update your profile, post a class note, review your giving history, and more. Visit MacDirect.

The admissions office will host two informational sessions/tours on Thursday, June 2 and Friday, June 3. If you would like to register for one of the sessions or have additional questions, please email [email protected].