Ceremony

Everything you and your guests need to know for attending and celebrating Commencement.

Ceremony times, location and parking

Students MUST register for a commencement ceremony by March 31. This is a separate action from applying to graduate. Please complete the commencement registration form.

Commencement ceremonies will be held in the Fieldhouse.

Doors open one hour prior to the ceremony start time.

Students should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. All students must report to the Graduate Check-in Area located inside the Fieldhouse. Students will be assembled for the graduate processional. There will be a sign to direct you.

Parking is available in Parking Lots E7, E6 and E5 on the north side of the Fieldhouse.

Handicapped parking is available and there will be shuttle service for guests that need assistance getting to the ceremony area.

Each ceremony is expected to last 90 minutes.

There will be three ceremonies.

9 AM - all students receiving a graduate or doctoral degree

1 PM – all CASL and CEHHS undergraduates

5 PM – all CECS and COB undergraduates

Ceremony Overview

All graduates will be seated in the center aisles in front of the stage. Guests will be seated to the left and right of the stage.

Upon arrival, students will be directed to a staging area and will process together in a line to their seats to begin the ceremony. Guest seating is first come, first served.

The ceremony will include remarks by the chancellor, provost, dean of the college, U-M Regent, student speaker and commencement speaker.

Students will be called up by row to receive a congratulatory note and diploma cover on stage and have their name read. Diplomas are mailed six to eight weeks after graduation.

Professional photos will be offered upon exiting the stage.

Ticket Information

Each student will receive 4 tickets to the 9 AM ceremony. Each student will receive 5 tickets for the 1 PM and 5 PM ceremonies. Students do not need a ticket. Tickets may be picked up at the Grad Fair on March 14 and 15, 10am – 5pm, at the Bookstore.

Each guest must have a ticket. If a child will sit on the lap of a guest (age 2 or younger) no ticket is required for the child.

If you cannot attend the Fair, you may pick up your commencement tickets at the One Stop, located inside the James C. Renick University Center, beginning Friday, March 17. You must show your Mcard or state issued ID (driver’s license or passport) and a receipt that you purchased your cap and gown, to pick up your tickets.

One Stop hours:

Monday-Wednesday and Friday - 8 am - 5 pm

Thursday - 8 am - 7 pm

If you are a remote student or unable to come to campus prior to commencement, you may have your tickets placed in Will Call to be picked up on the day of the ceremony.

Will Call is for the 4 ticket (9 AM ceremony) allotment or 5 ticket (1 PM and 5 PM ceremonies) allotment, not for extra tickets.

Please email Kris Day at dayk@umich.edu with the number of tickets you would like held. Kris will share details about Will Call location and pick-up times.

You must claim your tickets by Friday, April 21. If they are not claimed (picked up or on Will Call) the tickets will be released for other students who need extra tickets for their guests.

If you need extra tickets, you may do the following:

Ask a friend or classmate if they will be using their ticket allotment. Friends and classmates may give their tickets to others, after they pick them up.

Unclaimed tickets will be made available, on a first come first served basis, starting Monday, April 24.

Unclaimed tickets may be picked up at the One Stop office, located in the Renick University Center (suite number 1145).

What to wear under your gown

Students are encouraged to wear business or business casual attire under their gowns.

Decorating your cap

Students may decorate and personalize caps. Please do so tastefully.

Live streaming

All ceremonies will be livestreamed on UM-Dearborn’s  Facebook or YouTube channels. Links to the live stream will be posted on the UM-Dearborn homepage on the day of the ceremony.

Photographs

Professional photos will be offered upon exiting the stage. Information about ordering professional photos will be provided at this time. The photographer is an independent contractor.

Pre-order flowers and gifts

Graduates and their guests may pre-order flowers and gifts that may be picked up on the day of your ceremony, inside the Fieldhouse. The Commencement Group is offering a contact-free customer experience for the guests who are simply picking up their pre-purchased and reserved product. This will also increase overall physical distancing measures. To pre-order gifts please visit the Commencement Group website.

Extra assistance requests

If you or your guests require any extra assistance on the day of your ceremony, please email dayk@umich.edu.

Prohibited items

• Aerosol and Spray Cans
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Animals (except service animals for persons with a disability)
• Apparel or signage displaying profane or abusive language
• Balloon bouquets
• Cameras with a lens longer than 6 inches
• Containers of any kind (including coolers, thermoses, cups, bottles, cans, flasks)
• Flags with flagpoles
• Food of any kind
• Noisemakers (including but not limited to whistles, air horns, boom boxes, bull horns, kazoos, sirens, thunder sticks, vuvuzelas, etc.)
• Oversized bags (anything that cannot fit comfortably under your seat)
• Strollers
• Video Camera, tripods and selfie sticks
• Weapons

Diplomas for graduation will be mailed to your permanent address or the address listed on the Degree/Diploma Application approximately eight weeks after graduation.

For questions regarding applying for graduation, checking graduation status, changing your ceremony date and related questions, please email umd-commencement@umich.edu.

For questions about the actual commencement ceremony (venue, parking, time, tickets, cap/gown order) and related questions, please email spring2023dearborncommencement@umich.edu.