Academic Attire
Graduates participating in any U-M commencement must wear academic attire (cap & gown). Such attire can be purchased at the Michigan Union Bookstore, on the ground floor of the Michigan Union, 530 South State Street (995-8877) or Ulrich’s Bookstore on South University, (662-3201). Contact the individual bookstores for specific information on graduation attire.
Commencement Day
Graduates: All items you bring with you will need to go with you into the Theater. Please do not bring purses, backpacks, or large items that will be noticeable when you are walking in. There is no safe place to store them during the ceremony!
Assembly
Graduates should assemble in their cap & gown in the Michigan Theater, no later than 11:30 a.m. Upon arriving at the theater, go directly to the registration tables in the lobby to pick up your name cards and complete a card for the photographer. (You will hand these cards to the marshal and photographer on stage when receiving your recognition). From there you will be directed to the screening room lobby to prepare for the processional line-up.For the procession, graduates will line up by major. Chemistry staff will assist you in lining up for the procession and with seating. The procession into the auditorium will begin promptly at 12:00 noon.
Families and Guests
The Michigan Theater will open to guests at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are not required except for guests with special needs (see below for additional information). Guests should enter through the front doors and be seated by 11:45 a.m. Guests are requested to remain seated throughout the program. At the end of the program, after the faculty and graduates have recessed into the lobby, guests are invited to join their graduates.
Photographs
A professional photographer will take a color photo of each graduate after he or she is recognized on stage. Graduates will receive a free color proof; there is no obligation to buy reprints.
Family members are welcome to take photographs during the ceremony from their seats; however, guests may not stand in the aisle or along the walls or move to the front to take photographs. These areas must remain clear for emergency purposes. Guests will be asked to leave if they do not comply with this safety regulation. There will be ample time after the ceremony to take photographs of the graduates.
Timeline
| 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. | Graduates arrive. Visit the registration tables. You will be directed to the processional staging area. |
| 11:30 – 11:45 a.m. | Guests are seated in the auditorium. |
| 11:50 a.m. | Graduates line up to begin the procession. |
| 12:00 noon | Commencement begins promptly with procession of graduating students. |
| 1:00 p.m. | Ceremony concludes. |
Students and Guests with Disabilities
The University of Michigan wants to ensure that all graduates and guests can participate fully in commencement. Ushers will be available to assist in locating wheelchair-accessible seating and restrooms for guests. Please contact the Department of Chemistry, chemundergrad@umich.edu, to arrange for tickets for guests with special needs. All requests for special arrangements should be made by TBA, 2021.
Parking (see map below)
The UM parking structures on Thayer and Fletcher Streets are closest to the Michigan Theater and provide handicapped parking. Paid parking is available behind the Michigan Theater with an entrance on East Washington; and another lot across the street from the Michigan Theater has entrances on Maynard and Thompson Streets.
For more information on parking at the University of Michigan, please see http://www.parking.umich.edu/.
Location of Michigan Theater and nearby parking
University of Michigan Commencement
CANCELED
Graduates and families may refer to the following web link for information about the UM Commencement: http://commencement.umich.edu/
