Campus safety and demonstrations

Every year, hundreds of university faculty and staff work hard to make commencement a wonderful experience for graduates and their families.

Commencement ceremonies have been the site of free expression and peaceful protest for decades and will likely continue to be. The University of Michigan does not attempt to prevent peaceful protests or other speech protected under the First Amendment. Many ceremonies will have a designated area for protests outside the venue.

Our goal is to limit substantial disruption, ensure safety, and support a successful and celebratory event worthy of the achievements of our extraordinary graduates.

Commencement for schools, colleges, departments, and cultural celebrations will include:

• Security screening
• Required ticket or registration at the vast majority of events
• Prohibition of banners, flags and anything that obstructs sightlines
• Staffers who will respond to disruptions, beginning with warnings and requests to respect the importance of the celebrations for our graduates and their families

Please remember: U-M is committed to free speech and freedom of expression. Deans and directors will generally be patient with lawful disruptions. If protests significantly impede the program, leadership will take steps to de-escalate and address the interruption.

Additional information can also be found on the websites of individual schools, colleges, and departments. Information about cultural graduation celebrations can be found at: https://oami.umich.edu/grad-celebrations/.