General Information
Please check website regularly for updates.
Eligibility
All graduates and candidates of the Winter
Term 2009, Spring/Summer Term 2009, or Fall Term 2008, may participate. Individuals
who are unsure of their eligibility to participate in Spring Commencement
should contact the Registrar's Office in the school, college,
or unit from which they are graduating.
Student Speaker Entry
The Office of the Vice President for Communications is issuing a call for entries for a student speaker at Spring Commencement. The student must be receiving a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree during Winter Term 2009 or Summer Term 2009.
Once the submission has been made, a committee of students, faculty and staff meet to review all submissions. The committee looks for a speech that emphasizes experiences unique to U-M, has an over-arching theme, is well written, and adheres to the time constraint. The judging process is completely blind - names on entries are deleted for the selection process.
DEADLINE for submissions:
Interested University of Michigan graduating seniors must submit commencement speeches for consideration by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2009. The commencement ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2009 at Michigan Stadium.
Submissions can be made via e-mail to studentspeaker@umich.edu or via mail/hand delivery to Student Speaker Entries, Reception Desk, 2074 Fleming Administration Building, Campus Zip 1340.
REQUIREMENTS for submission:
1. Typed speech. (If e-mailed to studentspeaker@umich.edu please submit in “.pdf” format.)
2. Audio recording of author delivering the speech – maximum length of four (4) minutes. Any speeches longer than 4 minutes may be disqualified. (Please submit “.wav”, “.mp3” or “.mp4” (ipod/itunes) electronic file if e-mailed to studentspeaker@umich.edu, or audio CD if mailed/delivered to the Fleming Building)
3. Curriculum vitae or resume including e-mail address and local phone number. (If e-mailed to studentspeaker@umich.edu please submit “.pdf” format.)
A cover letter is not necessary.
For further information, please call 734-647-7900.
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Academic Attire (Cap and Gown)
Academic attire (cap and gown) is
required of all graduates 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
Michigan Union Bookstore
530 South State Street
(734) 995-8877
Ulrich's Bookstore
549 East University Avenue
(734) 662-3201
Bachelor's and 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 on Friday, May 1 are responsible to rent or purchase the hood with which they will be hooded, as well as their cap and gown. This attire may be rented or purchased at the Michigan Union Bookstore.
Rental attire may be reserved Monday, March 2 through Friday, April 24. The Michigan Union Bookstore
cannot guarantee gown sizes or hood colors after April 24. Rental attire should be returned by Friday, May 8.
Custom attire can be
purchased any time during the year. Please allow four to
six weeks for the delivery of custom attire orders.
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Tickets
All family members and guests attending Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 2, including children over age two, need a ticket to enter Michigan Stadium. There is no cost for tickets.
- Bachelor’s degree recipients are eligible to receive up to eight (8) tickets for guests
- Graduate (master’s and doctoral) degree recipients are eligible to receive up to four (4) tickets for guests
- Graduates participating in the graduate procession do not need a ticket
- Graduates must present their student identification (MCard) in order to receive tickets at ticket distribution
Ticket Distribution:
Graduates participating in Spring Commencement can pick up their guest tickets through ticket distribution at:
Alumni Center, Founders Room
(Alumni Association, 200 Fletcher Street, corner of Fletcher and Washington Streets).
- Monday, April 27: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 28: 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 29: 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Extra tickets, if available, will be distributed to graduates on a first-come, first-served basis on:
- Thursday, April 30: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Following distribution to graduates, remaining tickets will be made available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis with a limit of two tickets per person. General public ticket distribution will be held:
- Thursday, April 30: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Graduates may return during these times to request extra tickets.
Tickets for guests who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility:
Wheelchair Seating for Guests:
Please call (734) 647-6037 by Friday, April 17 (prior to ticket distribution) to make arrangements for wheelchair seating. Wheelchair seating tickets will be assigned and will be available for pick-up at ticket distribution.
Please note, one companion ticket will be provided next to the wheelchair seating ticket. The rest of the party will be seated nearby.
Guests with Limited Mobility:
Accessible seating is provided for guests with limited mobility. Accessible seating is located in rows near the section entrance that require minimal stair climbing.
Due to the limited number of seats available, groups requesting "Accessible Seating" are limited to four tickets in this area. For graduates receiving up to eight tickets, the additional tickets will be provided in the same section as the "Accessible Seating" tickets.
Graduates should request “Accessible Seating” tickets when they attend ticket distribution. It is not necessary to call in advance to make arrangements for these tickets.
Please call (734) 647-6037 for additional information.
Will Call
Graduates who are unable to attend ticket distribution (due to off-campus work or internship) need to call (734) 647-6037 and speak with event staff by Friday, April 17 to arrange for family and guests to pick up tickets at Crisler Arena’s “Will Call” booth on commencement day. The graduate’s name, student ID number, and school or college are needed to process the Will Call request.
On the day of commencement, the Will Call booth in Crisler Arena will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The Will Call booth is located inside the Stadium Boulevard entrance to Crisler Arena. (Click here for map.)
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Diplomas
Bachelor's
and Master's Degree Recipients:
Diplomas will be mailed to the graduate's permanent address (unless a diploma address has been created in Wolverine Access) by July 2009.
Doctoral Degree Recipients:
Doctoral degree recipients attending the University Graduate Exercises
will receive their diplomas at the ceremony. Doctoral degree recipients
not attending the ceremony may pick up their diplomas at the Registrar's
Office, Diploma Department at 1207 LSA Building, 500 South State Street, from April
28-May 1 and May 5-May 8, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Diplomas not picked up
during that time will be mailed beginning May 11. (See
University Graduate Exercises—Diplomas.)
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Diploma Frames and Plaques
Frame and preserve
your diploma with a campus photo of your choice by Photo Services.
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. Styles
and an order form may be found online at
Photo Services website. For more information, contact Photo
Services at (734) 764-9217 or photo.services@umich.edu.
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Student Photo Slideshow
The Michiganensian student staff are currently working on a slideshow of pictures highlighting the graduating class’s experiences at the University of Michigan. The slideshow will be played at Spring Commencement for guests before the graduate procession begins. They are looking for a wide variety of pictures that are appropriate for viewing by guests of all ages.
Additionally, The Michiganensian requests that all submitted pictures have a high resolution (so that resized pictures for the 1024x768 slideshow do not appear grainy). If you have any pictures that you think might be appropriate, please consider submitting them as attachments to commencementphotos09@gmail.com by midnight on Friday, April 3, 2009. Thank you for your help.
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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.
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Announcements
Announcements may be purchased at Michigan Book & Supply, the Michigan Union Bookstore, and Ulrich's Bookstore.
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Grad Fair
The Spring Grad Fair will be held on Wednesday, March 11 and Thursday, March 12, 2009, from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. in the ground floor of the Michigan Union. This is your one stop shopping place for all of your graduation needs. You can purchase your cap and gown, class rings, graduate portraits and frames. University staff will be available to answer your general commencement questions or concerns.
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 their student's commencement
ceremony. The letter can be requested by sending an email to visarequest@umich.edu.
The email should include:
- graduate's name
- graduate's local mailing address
- graduate's gender
- 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.
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Photography
Graduation
Images by Chappell photographs all of the graduates at the
beginning of the graduate procession on May 2. Graduates are
mailed a free photo proof and may order copies of their photographs
by mail, phone, fax or Internet.
Graduates fill out a description, address card (distributed by Chappell staff) at the graduate assembly
area on Saturday, May 2. It is imperative for graduates to completely fill out the card as this is the method for mailing and emailing the photo image.
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.
Individuals who do
not receive a photo proof within three weeks of the ceremony should
contact Graduation Images by Chappell at (800) 424-3686 or services@chappell.com.
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Commencement Weekend Events and Activities
Commencement Buffet
The Michigan Union, located in the heart of campus, will host their annual Commencement Brunch Celebration on Saturday, May 2 from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. The buffet-style brunch features a variety of elegant main courses, salads, breakfast items, and desserts. The price is $28.95 for adults and $12.95 for children under twelve; plus tax and gratuity. Seating is limited, so please reserve early. Reservations may be made by calling (734) 764-8837, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. A small number of semi-private rooms are available; please inquire about details. All reservations must be prepaid. Major credit cards are accepted. Reservations canceled a minimum of 72 hours in advance are fully refundable. Michigan Memories
Commencement Reception
Graduating seniors, their families, and guests are invited to join members of the University community for a University-wide reception Saturday, May 2 following Spring Commencement. The reception, hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, is held on the first floor of the Michigan Union. Refreshments and Michigan memorabilia will be featured. For information, call the University Unions Arts & Programs Office at (734) 763-3202.
Hold Your Commencement Celebration on Campus!
Commemorate your graduation with a reception, lunch or dinner at one of three distinctive unions at the University of Michigan. For 100 years, the historic Michigan Union and Michigan League have provided catering to the University. For those celebrating on North Campus - Pierpont Commons offers fabulous fare surrounded by all the natural beauty of North Campus. If you prefer another campus location, University Catering can deliver direct to your door.
University Unions is offering complimentary banquet rooms April 30-May 3, 2009 with a minimum purchase of ten full service meals. For more information, please contact the University Unions Event Services at 734-764-UUES (www.umich.edu/~uunions).
On behalf of University Unions, “Congratulations Class of 2009!”
Recognition Programs
Many schools and colleges hold separate recognition events or ceremonies for their graduates and candidates. Click here for a schedule of the programs. Please contact the school or college directly for more information.
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Accommodations
Many 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
Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at (734) 995-7281/(800) 888-9487,
or visit their website at www.annarbor.org.
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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 join and find more
details at www.umalumni.com.
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DVD
A DVD of Spring Commencement will
be distributed through CTC Sports for $19.95 plus shipping and
handling and 6% sales tax for Michigan residents. To order, email
bob@ctcsports.com or call
toll free (877) 246-2583. Please allow
8–12 weeks for delivery.
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