FAQs

Please allow 1.5-2 hours for the event itself. Doors open an hour before the start of the program and, as seats are unassigned, it is recommended to arrive early. 

The venue does offer some seating for guests with mobility limitations. Upon arrival, please seek out a staff member or usher for assistance. Please do try to come early so we can make our best effort to accommodate your needs.

Graduates with limited mobility: Email econundergradoffice@umich.edu as soon as possible to arrange accommodation as the ceremony does involve walking up/down stairs and potentially standing for long periods of time (up to an hour). 

Parking is available free of charge in the Blue Lots surrounding Crisler Center (lots SC4, SC5, SC6, SC7; see map below). The Crisler Center lot has entrances on Stadium Boulevard and East Keech Avenue (off South Main Street) / Greene Street (off East Hoover Street). Note: graduates and guests will enter the center at the Northeast Entry only unless otherwise notified. 

No parking areas are reserved specifically for the Economics Commencement Ceremony. 

Overflow parking will be available in the Pioneer High School parking lot at no charge.

Parking for Persons with Disabilities

Parking is available for guests with disabilities outside the Northeast entrance of Crisler Center on a first-come, first-served basis. It can be accessed from Green Street and Stadium Boulevard. You must have a state-issued disability parking placard in order to use these spots.

The most current information about upcoming Undergraduate Economics Commencement Ceremony activities can be found here. 

If the information on the above page is obviously from the previous year, please be aware we have not yet confirmed the venue for the upcoming Commencement event and will update the site as soon as possible. 

The Economics Commencement Ceremony is for students who are either graduating that April/May, will be graduating in the following August, or who have graduated the previous December. 

Anticipated graduates should read all the emails regarding the Commencement that come from the Economics Department. Well in advance of the ceremony, anticipated graduates will receive several emails specifically regarding the ceremony and eligibility to attend. In order to be eligible to graduate and walk at the Economics Commencement Ceremony, graduates must do the following:

1. Meet with any economics advisor to complete your Major Release
   1.   Students can meet with an advisor by either making an advising appointment with a faculty advisor, or attending walk-in advising in our main office (M & Th, 2-3pm in 238 Lorch). 
      
   2. NOTE: If you are a dual-major, or if you also have a declared minor or supplemental studies plan, a release must be completed for each program. You should consult each department to learn how they handle this process.
2. “Apply to Graduate” by March 15th through your Student Business Account online in Wolverine Access (Student Business > Student Center > Apply for Graduation)
   1. Students will receive emails about applying to graduate and obtaining major/minor releases and should make note of the deadlines listed therein. Please review the UM Commencement website's Graduate Checklist and the Newnan Advising Center's Graduation page to ensure you are on track for graduation (please note specific information about the larger University Commencement may not be applicable to our ceremony).
   2. NOTE: Graduates who do not apply for graduation by March 15th are still welcome to attend our Economics Commencement Ceremony, however their names will unfortunately not be included in our programs for the event. This deadline is for the Economics Commencement Ceremony only, the University Commencement Ceremony may have different deadlines so please check their website for the most up-to-date information. 

After you have completed the steps above, in 3–5 weeks the LSA Auditors will send a final audit of all your college, LSA, major and minor requirements to your umich email account.

**Note for those Studying Abroad** If you plan to be abroad during your final year, it is strongly suggested that you take care of your Major Release prior to leaving the country. Please review our Study Abroad pages for more information about studying abroad and transfering back credits.

The Commencement Ceremony is for students who are either graduating that April/May, will be graduating in the following August, or have graduated the previous December.

Please see the "Who is eligible to attend the Economics Commencement" question above for more information about what actions are needed for graduates to participate. 

Be sure that you read all the emails regarding the Commencement that come from the Economics Department.

Yes! More information will be available soon. 

Nope!

Absolutely! Guests are welcome to take their own photos and videos throughout the ceremony, but please be mindful of blocking others' views for prolonged periods of time. 

The Department of Economics also hires a professional photographer to take photos before, during, and after the ceremony. A link to these photos will be sent to graduation in the weeks after commencement.

The program begins with a Faculty and Graduate Processional, followed by a brief welcome and introduction to the Commencement Speaker. Following the Commencement Address, presentations begin of award recipients, Honors Candidates, and the Degree Candidates. At this time, each graduate will have their name announced as they walk across the stage to receive a congratulatory certificate. A photograph of each graduate will also be taken and available later (graduates, be sure to check your emails for more information about this!). The ceremony will conclude with a final farewell and Faculty Recessional. Graduates should be dressed in cap & gown for the event.

Please allow 1.5-2 hours for the event itself. Doors open an hour before the start of the program and, as seats are unassigned, it is recommended to arrive early. . 

The venue does offer some seating for those with mobility limitations. Upon arrival, please seek out a staff member or usher for assistance. Please do try to come early so we can make our best effort to accommodate your needs.

Graduates participating in any U-M commencement must wear academic attire (i.e. cap & gown). Please see below under "How do I order my academic attire?" for more information about the attire and where to purchase it. 

LSA BS graduates: gold
LSA BA graduates: white

Information about university-wide commencement exercises can be found here: http://www.umich.edu/~gradinfo

Graduates will not receive their diplomas at the Economics Commencement Ceremony (or at the U-M Commencement Ceremony). Graduates will instead be given a certificate from the Department of Economics. 

Official U-M Diplomas are mailed by the Office of the Registrar approximately 8 weeks after commencement, so please make sure your your permanent address in Wolverine Access is up to date. More information about diplomas can be found on the LSA Newnan Academic Advising Center's website. 

Graduates participating in any U-M commencement must wear academic attire (i.e. cap & gown) which is not provided by the department. Such attire can be purchased from:

Please contact the individual bookstores for specific information on graduation attire.

Note: LS&A undergraduate B.A. tassels should be white, B.S. should be gold; there is no specific color for Economics graduates. Tassels should be worn on the right side. Graduates are welcome to wear sashes, cords, tassels, etc., from their other programs or awards. 

Honors Cords: Graduates who are part of the LSA Honors College will be given Honors cords at the Honors Commencement Ceremony. Genuine Honors cords cannot be purchased in the bookstores or online. Find out more about the Honors Commencement here.

Graduates may be standing until the ceremony begins (up to an hour) and walking up/down a long flight of stairs; please plan shoes accordingly. If you are unable to stand for long periods, walk up/down stairs, or have any other mobility concerns, please email econundergradoffice@umich.edu as soon as possible to arrange accommodation. 

Seating in the Arena:

Chairs are stadium style with padded folding seats and plastic (slightly padded) backs. The first (top) row of the lower bowl are reserved for families of those with limited mobility, but do require going down a couple stairs.

Guests in wheelchairs may sit around the concourse. To allow room for our many guests with need for this type of seating, we allow one guest (with mobility limitations) plus one companion. Folding chairs will be available for those sitting in this area. The rest of the family members may sit directly in front of the guest(s) sitting on the concourse.

Concourse and reserved seating are on a first come, first served basis. We encourage those with wheelchairs to go around to the farther side of the concourse seating to allow those who walk, but cannot climb stairs to sit on the near-side concourse.

Wheelchairs:

Crisler will have Event Staff and a limited number of wheelchairs available to take guests with limited mobility up to the concourse. Guests are not able to use these wheelchairs during the ceremony. There will also be many Econ Dept and Crisler Event staff available if you need assistance pushing a wheelchair or helping someone with limited mobility.

Accessible parking:

Please see "Is there parking?" above.

If you have questions about graduation requirements or about the ceremony that have not been answered by our Commencement or FAQ pages, please email econundergradoffice@umich.edu for more information.