Carleton’s Reunion weekend has something for everyone! Come back for a weekend of reconnecting with old friends, new friends, faculty members, and current students. See what’s new—and what hasn’t changed—on campus.

Emergency Contact Numbers

In the event of an emergency, if someone needs to reach you during Reunion, call 507-222-4205 during check-in hours (see schedule). After check-in closes, or if the main number is busy, call Carleton Security at 507-222-4444. They will pick up on their radio.

Registration and Check-In

25th, 50th, and Post 50th Reunion attendees:
Reunion check-in and onsite registration are located in the Anderson Hall Atrium.

  • Thursday, June 18: 3:00–10:00 p.m.
  • Friday, June 19: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 20: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

All other Reunion class attendees:
Reunion check-in and onsite registration are located in the Anderson Hall Atrium.

  • Thursday, June 18: 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
  • Friday, June 19: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 20: 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Thursday evening dinner is provided only for the Classes of 2001 and 1976, and for our Post-50th alumni. There are many food options in Northfield. If you have received a housing confirmation email from Alumni Relations and have arrived on campus after check-in locations are closed for the evening, please contact Security at 507-222-4444. A member of campus security can confirm your room assignment and meet you to let you into your pre-assigned room on campus. You can then check in and pick up your key and name tag when registration opens the following morning.

Alcohol and Cannabis on Campus

Under Minnesota state law, people younger than 21 may not purchase or be served alcoholic beverages. Even with the recent legalization of cannabis for people ages 21 or older in the State of Minnesota, cannabis is still prohibited for use on Carleton’s campus. Carleton College must abide by federal law, by which cannabis remains illegal. The College requests that all alumni conform to the letter and spirit of the law.

Carleton’s food service, Bon Appétit, holds the liquor license for service on campus.  Access to alcohol provided during Reunion weekend (at dinners and at large event venues) will be regulated as follows:

  • No outside alcohol is allowed at a Reunion event where Bon Appétit is serving.  
  • Alcohol needs to remain within the venue in which it is being served.
  • Bon Appétit will serve alcohol at meals and other all-Reunion and class-specific events. 

For safety reasons, glass containers are prohibited on the Hill of Three Oaks and all athletic fields. Please help keep our athletic fields safe for students.

Student staff members cannot pick up or purchase alcohol, so please do not ask them.

On-Campus Housing

Registration & Room Assignments

  • Availability: Campus housing is exclusive to the Reunion Package. Reunion registrants only coming for one day or one dinner do not have the option to request campus housing. Campus Housing requests are fulfilled on a first-registered, first-served basis.
  • Class Placement: We strive to house alumni within their specific class residence halls. However, assignments depend on the number of requests received for each class year; late registrants may be placed outside their class area.
  • Roommates:
    • Groups: People who register together will be housed together. If your party requires more than two beds, adjacent rooms may be assigned if only double rooms are available.
    • Individuals: Due to a high volume of requests and a limited number of single rooms, alumni registering for Reunion on-campus housing without a guest may be assigned a roommate from their class year. This allows us to accommodate as many attendees as possible. If you have a specific classmate you would like to room with, please list their name in the ‘I would like to room with…’ section of the housing registration form.
  • Notification: You will receive an email in late May confirming your building and roommate assignments if applicable. Specific room assignments will be provided only upon arrival on campus.

Housing Fees

  • Standard Rate: $100 per person (additional fee for all Reunion Packages).
  • 50th Reunion Class: No additional fee for campus housing for the 50th Reunion class registrants and their adult guest.
  • Children (11 and under):
    • Free: If sleeping on the floor in their parents’ room (must bring their own sleeping bag/pillow; no linens provided).
    • $100: To reserve a dedicated bed for a child.

Amenities: What to Expect

Provided in Each Room:

  • Linens: 2 flat sheets, 1 light blanket, 1 pillow, 1 pillowcase, 1 bath towel, and 1 washcloth.
  • Essentials: A small cup and a bar of hand soap per bed.

Facilities & Accessibility:

  • Bathrooms: Most halls feature shared bathrooms down the hall. Showers do not have grab bars; we recommend bringing flip-flops. (Private/semi-private baths are only available in Davis and Severance).
  • Climate Control: Most halls are not air-conditioned. (Exceptions: Davis, Nourse, Watson, Lilac Hill, Townhouses, Cassat, and James). A limited number of fans are available to borrow at check-in for those staying in spaces without AC, or you may bring your own.
  • Accessibility: Not all buildings have elevators. Please notify us during registration if you are unable to climb stairs.
  • Note: Rooms do not include bedside lamps, irons, or cribs. All buildings are non-smoking.

Families & Large Groups

Classes that traditionally bring children are placed in suites or adjacent rooms to keep the family together. If you have specific questions regarding family arrangements, please email Alumni Relations or call 800-729-2586.

Check-In & Check-Out

  • Dates: Thursday, June 18 – Sunday, June 21
  • Check-In Times (Thursday, June 18):
    • 3:00 p.m.: Classes of 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, and 2001.
    • 6:00 p.m.: All other class years.
    • Note: Early check-in is not available as staff will be cleaning rooms following Commencement.
  • Thursday Dinner: Only the specific classes listed above (1951-1976, 2001) have scheduled campus dinners on Thursday. All other guests should make independent dinner arrangements.
  • Check-Out: By noon on Sunday. Please return keys/keycards to your class host in the lounge or use the express checkout boxes.
    • Lost Key Fee: $50 | Lost Keycard Fee: $20

Housing Waitlist

If your class housing is full, you may join the waitlist. We process cancellations as they occur and will contact you if a space opens. We recommend making backup off-campus arrangements if you are on the waitlist.

Class housing assignments

Assignments are based on class size, seniority, and other considerations. Housing assignments are made as registrations are received, and later registrants may not be housed near their classmates.

These are the tentative assignments for Reunion 2026:

  • 75th Reunion: Alumni Guest House
  • 70th Reunion: Fairfield Inn
  • 65th Reunion: Davis
  • 60th Reunion: Davis
  • 55th Reunion: Nourse
  • 50th Reunion: Cassat
  • 45th Reunion: James
  • 40th Reunion: Lilac Hill
  • 35th Reunion: Watson
  • 30th Reunion: Musser
  • 25th Reunion: Burton/Severance
  • 20th Reunion: Evans
  • 15th Reunion: Evans
  • 10th Reunion: Myers
  •  5th Reunion: Goodhue

Off-Campus Housing

Hotels

Campus housing has filled to capacity the past several years and we expect that to be the case this year. If you would like to make a hotel reservation, there are several options in Northfield and the surrounding area. Please check our Northfield Area Lodging page for links to area hotels.

PLEASE NOTE: Each hotel has its own reservation and cancellation policies and it is up to the individual to adhere to those guidelines. Carleton does not hold or manage the reservations. Other options include Airbnb, VRBO, or a local bed and breakfast.

The following hotels may have available rooms during Reunion weekend. Rooms will fill quickly and there are no room guarantees until an individual reserves with the hotel directly.

Camping

For those who may be interested in a more outdoorsy experience during Reunion, there are several local camping options near Northfield. While visitors to the Carleton Arboretum are always welcome, because of the lack of sanitary facilities and access to shelter in the case of severe weather, the Arboretum and campus grounds are not open for camping. This includes tents, RV’s, and other types of campers. See information about local camping options. 

Wireless Access

Wireless access to the Carleton network is available throughout campus. To log on, select the “CarletonGuests” wireless network. You will be prompted to press the orange “Log In” button, which will connect you to Carleton’s Guest wireless network. This will need to be done separately for each device. Call the ITS Helpdesk 507-222-5999 if you need assistance.

Pet Policy

Pets are not allowed in campus buildings. Please see the campus handbook for more information. Several local boarding facilities are available with Sunday pickup options. Please follow these links for more information on boarding facilities.

Children and Teens

Share Carleton with your family!

Camp Carleton

Camp Carleton provides interesting and fun activities for children who are from 6 to 15 years old at the time of Reunion. We are not able to accept children who are not at least 6 years old for this program. The program is very popular and registration is required. We are unable to offer same-day registration. There will be time on campus in our morning sessions to explore the Arb, enjoy picnics, play yard games, and engage in art activities under the supervision of our Camp Carleton director and student staff.

We are also offering field trip opportunities to visit River Bend Nature Center this year.

Friday afternoon at River Bend Nature Center: TBD

  • Survival Skills:  Learn about the survival rule of threes, then try your hand at building shelters and fires.
  • Pond Dipping: Discover the wild world of pond life! We’ll be using nets, buckets, and a dichotomous key to identify macro-invertebrates that dwell below the surface of the water. 

Teens are encouraged to check out supplies from the Rec Center to enjoy on their own or with friends, visit the Libe, and take a campus tour as well throughout the weekend. Teens may also attend classes at the Rec Center if supervised by an adult.

Family-friendly spots in Northfield

A list of family-friendly events can be found on the Reunion Schedule. In addition, there are many activities around Northfield to do with children and families.

  • Central Park, 421 4th St E. This park is adjacent to the Weitz Center of Creativity and across the street from Parish House. A large playground, swings, and lots of green space make this park a family favorite.
  • Northfield Public Library, 801 Washington St. The public library, located near Carleton, has been extensively remodeled and includes an expanded children’s area. The library offers many children’s programs and events; see the library calendar for times and program information.
  • Northfield Pool, 801 7th St E. The community pool features a separate toddler pool, zero-depth entry, a 50-meter section, a diving board, a 1/2-court basketball court, a climbing wall, a concession stand, and plenty of decks and grass space for everyone to enjoy.

Bringing prospective Carls?

If you have a high school student who is interested in Carleton, you may wish to review the Admissions visit page. General campus tours will be offered to all alumni on Friday, June 21 at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. These begin at Scoville Hall and prospective students are welcome to join. The Carleton Admissions Office will be open on Friday of Reunion weekend from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. You can also add your child to the mailing list to receive Admissions publications.

Meals

Reunion weekend meals are prepared by Bon Appétit, Carleton’s catering service, and feature locally sourced organic ingredients. Costs reflect actual charges from Bon Appétit.

Meal numbers are confirmed on June 1. We strongly recommend you register in advance to ensure you will be able to eat with your class. We cannot guarantee that special dietary requests will be available or that there will be space available if you register onsite during Reunion weekend.

Vegetarian meals are always available. Special dietary needs (gluten-free, etc.) can be accommodated if you notify the Alumni Relations office in advance via your registration.

Alcohol on campus

Under Minnesota state law, people younger than 21 may not purchase or be served alcoholic beverages. The College requests that all alumni conform to the letter and spirit of the law.

Carleton’s food service, Bon Appétit, holds the liquor license for service on campus.  Access to alcohol provided during Reunion weekend (at dinners and at large event venues) will be regulated as follows:

  • No outside alcohol is allowed at a Reunion event where Bon Appétit is serving.  
  • Alcohol needs to remain within the venue in which it is being served.
  • Bon Appétit will serve alcohol at meals and other all-Reunion and class-specific events. 

For safety reasons, glass containers are prohibited on the Hill of Three Oaks and all athletic fields. Please help keep our athletic fields safe for students.

Local Restaurants

If you are interested in a meal off campus, please take a look at a list of local restaurants.

Travel and Shuttles

Reunion airport transport service: available Thursday, Friday, and Sunday only

Chartered motorcoach shuttle service is available for $70 round trip per person ($35 one way per person) from the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. Pre-registration is required and shuttles from the airport to campus are only available on Thursday and Friday and return shuttles from campus to the airport are only available on Sunday. To add a shuttle registration after you’ve registered for Reunion, email Alumni Relations or call 800-729-2586 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Central time). If no one has registered in advance for a particular shuttle time, a shuttle will not be provided. Remember to allow one hour for travel time between Carleton and the airport. Children’s car seats are not available.

NORTHFIELD LINES AND ALL MOTOR COACHES PICK UP IN THE SILVER PARKING RAMP

From baggage claim at TERMINAL 1, go down to Level T to access the Tram to the Silver Parking Ramp.  Take the tram to the next stop (there is only one) and go up a level to the Silver Parking Ramp.

Please note: You will need to go outside to look for your bus. There will be a Carleton sign in the window of the bus. 

Please Note: Several airlines use the smaller Terminal 2. Check the MSP Terminal Information page for a list of airlines using each of the MSP Terminals. The shuttle bus does not stop at Terminal 2. You can travel between MSP’s terminals via the free Light Rail Transit (LRT) service. Trains run between terminals around the clock, seven days a week, approximately every 10 minutes.

Schedule

Thursday, June 18

Arrival shuttles are scheduled on Thursday of Reunion weekend, departing the airport at 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and 8:00 pm. If no one has registered in advance for a particular shuttle time, a shuttle will not be provided. Please note that children’s car seats are not available. Remember to allow one hour for travel time between the MSP airport and Carleton.

Friday, June 19

Arrival shuttles are scheduled on Friday of Reunion weekend, departing the airport at 9:00 am and 12:00 pm. If no one has registered in advance for a particular shuttle time, a shuttle will not be provided. Please note that children’s car seats are not available. Remember to allow one hour for travel time between the MSP airport and Carleton.

Sunday, June 21

Departure shuttles are scheduled for Sunday of Reunion weekend, leaving campus at 6:30 am, 8:00 am, 10:00 am, and 12:00 pm/noon. If no one has registered in advance for a particular shuttle time, a shuttle will not be provided. Remember to allow one hour for travel time between Carleton and the MSP airport.

Commercial Transport Services

Missed your shuttle?

If you miss your shuttle, the airport shuttle coordinators will assign you to the next one if space is available. If you miss the last shuttle of the day, your options include taking a taxi or an Uber/Lyft, renting a car, or making your own arrangements. Because of fixed costs, we cannot issue refunds for unused shuttle reservations.

Parking

Parking permits are not needed during Reunion. Parking on campus is limited and certain areas have been posted as handicapped, no-parking, or reserved areas to allow for pick-up and delivery of people, equipment, and food. There are also areas blocked off to allow for events. Please do not move signs or park in these designated areas. Cars parked in no-parking areas may be towed at the owner’s expense. Please observe the signs.

While visitors to the Carleton Arboretum are always welcome, because of the lack of sanitary facilities and access to shelter in the case of severe weather, the Arboretum and campus grounds are not open for camping. This includes tents, RV’s, and other types of campers. There are several camping options near Northfield, see information about local camping options. 

Parking overnight on city streets is acceptable, but pay attention to signage on the streets. Many streets allow 24-hour parking on one side of the street, and only 2-hour parking on the other side.

Golf cart shuttles

Shuttles will circulate from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm around campus to pick up riders. If you need immediate assistance, please call the shuttle line at 507-649-4235. 

What to Bring

If you forget anything, you can probably find what you need in the College Bookstore or just down the road at one of Northfield’s fine retail stores. But here are a few reminders of what to bring for your return to campus.

  • Water bottle (there will be water stations around campus), camera, scrapbooks, Carleton memorabilia, music, and anything else that will make the weekend special. We recommend you put your name on anything important, in case it’s accidentally left behind.
  • If you’re staying on campus, you may wish to bring a small reading lamp, hangers, alarm clock, small fan, and extra blanket or pillow if needed, and a shower caddy or something in which to carry your toiletries to the bathrooms down the hall.
  • June weather is unpredictable. We strongly recommend bringing a light jacket, umbrella, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent. Check the latest weather forecast when packing.
  • Carleton’s athletic facilities and fields are open throughout Reunion weekend but the pools in Cowling and the West Gym will not be available for swimming. Bring your racket/softball glove/Frisbee, etc., and check your final schedule on arrival for open times. Please note that glass is prohibited on Carleton’s athletic fields; we appreciate your cooperation in keeping our fields safe for students.

In Case of Emergency

Dial 911 to reach Northfield Police, fire, or ambulance from a campus phone. The Northfield Police non-emergency number is 507-645-4475.

Dial 507-222-4444 (x4444) for Campus Security. 

Call the Northfield Hospital at 507-646-1000 for non-emergency medical assistance. 

Carleton College has a comprehensive sexual harassment and assault policy. The college requests that all alumni conform to the letter and spirit of these policies. If you feel that you have been the victim of harassment or assault, please notify Campus Security immediately.

You can subscribe to security alerts to be notified of any emergencies or severe weather by texting CCSUBSCRIBE to 888777. At the end of your time on campus, you can opt-out by texting STOP to 888777.

Parking around campus during Reunion weekend

Parking permits are not needed during Reunion. Parking on campus is limited and certain areas have been posted as handicapped, no-parking, or reserved areas to allow for pick-up and delivery of people, equipment, and food. There are also areas blocked off to allow for events. Please do not move signs or park in these designated areas. Cars parked in no-parking areas may be towed at the owner’s expense. Please observe the signs.

While visitors to the Carleton Arboretum are always welcome, because of the lack of sanitary facilities and access to shelter in the case of severe weather, the Arboretum and campus grounds are not open for camping. This includes tents, RV’s, and other types of campers. There are several camping options near Northfield, see information about local camping options. 

Parking overnight on city streets is acceptable, but pay attention to signage on the streets. Many streets allow 24-hour parking on one side of the street, and only 2-hour parking on the other side.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy:  Refunds will be issued if we receive notice of cancellation or changes before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on Monday, June 1. Due to fixed costs incurred, no refunds will be made after that time.