Commencement Day Instructions
Assembly for
Graduates and Candidates
Graduates and candidates participating
in University Graduate Exercises gather in Rackham Auditorium
on April 25, beginning at 11:45 a.m. (arriving no later than 12:15
p.m.), in order to participate in the academic procession to Hill
Auditorium. Faculty marshals assist graduates and candidates
in assembling for the procession.
Doctoral degree recipients gather
in a designated area within Rackham Auditorium. They receive
their name cards and are arranged in alphabetical order, by degree
earned, to ensure the correct order for diploma distribution during
the ceremony. Marshals assist in this process.
-back to top-
Inclement Weather Plan
In the event of inclement
weather, the academic procession may be cancelled. If the procession
is cancelled, it will be announced at the graduate assembly in Rackham
Auditorium. Graduates and candidates arriving at Rackham
Auditorium would be asked to go directly to Hill Auditorium.
The doors to Hill Auditorium will open at 12:00 p.m.
Faculty marshals in Hill Auditorium
would direct all graduates and candidates to the correct
seating or gathering areas. Doctoral degree candidates would receive
their name cards from marshals. Numbers on the cards correspond with the assigned
seats, and marshals assist with the seating.
-back to top-
Graduate
Recognition at University Graduate Exercises
Master's
Degree Graduates and Candidates:
All master's degree
graduates and candidates process on stage to shake
hands with the president of the University or the dean of the
Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.
Doctoral
Degree Recipients:
Doctoral degree recipients
are seated together in alphabetical order by degree received, for diploma
distribution. Marshals guide doctoral degree recipients
through hooding and onto the stage where each recipient's name
is read aloud. The president of the University and the dean
of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies congratulate
each recipient.
-back
to top-
Families and Guests
Hill Auditorium doors open at 12:00
p.m. Families and guests enter Hill Auditorium through the
front and side lobby doors, and are asked to be seated by 12:45
p.m. Most of the seating on the main floor of Hill Auditorium is reserved for the graduates. It is recommended that families and guests plan to sit in the first or second balcony.
-back to top-
Information for Persons with Disabilities
The University of Michigan
wants to ensure that all graduates, candidates, and guests can
participate fully in this program. The recently renovated
Hill Auditorium has accessible entrances on the east and west
sides of the building. Graduates and guests with disabilities
may be dropped off near the west entrance, which is at the corner
of North University Avenue and Thayer Street. Staff will
be available in Hill Auditorium to direct and assist people with
disabilities.
A seating area with
real-time captioning is available for persons with hearing impairments, and a sign language interpreter is present during the ceremony.
Individuals who require an assistive listening device should
contact the Office of University and Development Events at (734)
647-6037 no later than Monday, April 21, to make arrangements
to have this service available.
Graduates or candidates who use wheelchairs or have difficulty using steps are asked to call (734) 647-6037 for information and to make arrangements by Friday, April 11.
-back to top-
Reception
A reception for graduates, candidates,
and their guests will be held on the lawn directly across from the Horace H. Rackham Building following the University Graduate Exercises. In case of inclement weather, the reception will be held inside the Rackham Building.
-back to top-
Parking
Parking is available, at no charge, in all University of Michigan parking structures. The Thayer and Fletcher Street parking structures are closest to Hill Auditorium. (See the Central Campus map.)
-back to top-
Security Guidelines
Food, beverages, large bags, and signs are not
permitted in the auditorium.
-back to top-
| 
