LINK TO: UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Grad Guide to Commencement
Spring Commencement
LINK TO: TicketsLINK TO: ContactsLINK TO: Maps

General Information

Eligibility

All Rackham master's candidates who complete their degree requirements during the Winter 2010 or Spring/Summer 2010 terms may participate. All Rackham doctoral candidates who complete their degree requirements by the stated Rackham deadline may participate.


Academic Attire (Cap, Gown, and Hood)

Academic attire (cap, gown, and hood) is required of all graduates and candidates who plan to participate in the University Graduate Exercises and/or Spring Commencement. Attire is available for purchase at three local bookstores:

(Please note that doctoral attire is available only at the Michigan Union Bookstore.)

Michigan Book & Supply
317 South State Street
(734) 665-4990

Barnes and Noble @ University of Michigan
530 South State Street
(734) 995-8877

Ulrich's Bookstore

549 East University Avenue
(734) 662-3201

Master's Degree Graduates and Candidates:

Academic attire may be purchased beginning in mid-March at all three bookstores listed.

Doctoral Degree Recipients:

Doctoral degree recipients who plan to attend the University Graduate Exercises are responsible for renting or purchasing the hood with which they will be hooded as well as their cap and gown.  This attire may be rented or purchased at the Barnes and Noble bookstore.

Rental attire may be reserved Monday, March 1 through Friday, April 23.  The Barnes and Noble Bookstore cannot guarantee gown sizes or hood colors after April 23. Rental attire should be returned by Friday, May 7.

Custom attire can be purchased any time during the year. Please allow four to six weeks for the delivery of custom attire orders.

At the ceremony, during the doctoral degree recognition, doctoral degree recipients carry their hoods as they walk toward the stage and present them to the hooders. After being hooded, they walk across the stage for individual recognition by the president of the University and the dean of the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

 

-back to top-


Tickets

Tickets are not required for general seating at the University Graduate Exercises. 

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-


Diplomas

Doctoral Degree Recipients:
Doctoral degree recipients attending the University Graduate Exercises receive their diplomas at the program.  Diploma orders are not taken at the commencement ceremony.  Additional pre-ordered diplomas or diplomas not received at University Graduate Exercises may be picked up at the Office of the Registrar, Diploma Department, 1207 LSA Building, 500 South State Street, April 28-May 1 and May 5-May 8.  Diplomas not picked up during that time are mailed beginning May 11. 

Master's Degree Graduates and Candidates:
Diplomas are mailed to graduates at their permanent address (as listed on Wolverine Access) by the end of July.

Additional diplomas may be ordered through the Office of the Registrar, Student Services, 1207 LSA Building, 500 South State Street, or B430 Pierpont Commons.

-back to top-


Diploma Frames and Plaques

Photo Services can frame and preserve your diploma with a campus photo of your choice. These museum quality frames come in a variety of finishes, and include UV conservation glass and acid-free mats. Also available is a brass replica of your diploma presented on a plaque. Orders may be placed online at the Photo Services website. For more information, contact Photo Services at (734) 764-9217 or photo.services@umich.edu.

-back to top-


International Students

The University of Michigan will provide a letter of invitation to assist graduates whose parents need to apply for a visa in order to attend the commencement ceremony. The letter can be requested by sending an email to visarequest@umich.edu.

The email should include:

  • graduate's name
  • graduate's gender
  • graduate's local mailing address
  • graduate's degree being earned
  • graduate's school or college
  • ceremony in which the graduate plans to participate
  • names of parents (please specify relationship next to parent's name, ie.: mother, father)

The letter from the University will be mailed to the graduate, who can then forward it to the parents for use in documenting their visa request. Please allow three weeks to receive the letter.

-back to top-


Photography

Graduation Foto photographs each master's and doctoral degree recipient during the ceremony.  Graduates fill out a description card as they assemble on Friday, April 30. The cards are distributed at the graduate assembly.  The completed card is handed to photography staff just before the graduate's photograph is taken.  To ensure that graduates receive the correct proof each will say their name into an audio recorder.  

Participants receive a free proof and may order additional photographs.  If the graduate's email address is included on the description card, they will receive their proofs, customer number and a link to the Graduation Foto website via email within 48-72 hours of commencement.  If no email address is provided a photo proof and order form will be mailed to the graduate within three weeks of the ceremony.  Graduation Foto can be contacted at (734) 677-3400 for questions regarding photo proofs and orders. 

 

-back to top-


Accommodations

Ann Arbor hotels begin taking reservations for commencement years in advance.  Guests who are unable to reserve hotel rooms in Ann Arbor may wish to look for hotel rooms in Brighton, Jackson, Plymouth, Ypsilanti, or the vicinity of Detroit Metropolitan Airport. These communities are less than one hour's drive from Ann Arbor and may have rooms available. For information on area hotels, contact the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau at (734) 995-7281/(800) 888-9487, or www.annarbor.org.

-back to top-


Alumni Association

All new graduates are eligible to receive a free year of membership in the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan. Members have access to all the member benefits, including career services, networking, Michigan Alumnus magazine, e-TrueBlue newsletter, membership in local alumni clubs, and access to football tickets. After the free year of membership, recent graduates can renew their membership for a discounted rate of $25. Graduates can sign up and find more details at www.umalumni.com.

-back to top-


Yearbook

The Michiganensian yearbook has been published annually at the University of Michigan for over 100 years.  The yearbook includes senior portraits, sports, campus life, organizations, feature stories, and current events.  Quantities are limited.  Reserve your copy today by going to www.michiganyearbook.com or calling (734) 764-9425.

-back to top-

 

Office of University and Development Events, (734) 647-6037