General Information
Please check website regularly for updates.
Venue Change
Spring Commencement will be held on the Diag, in the heart of U-M’s Central Campus.
This area holds sentimental value for all who travel its paths. From skipping over the “M” as a freshman to walking to a final exam as a senior, the Diag is a natural gathering area for students. On commencement day, graduates will gather on McDivitt-White Plaza (between West Hall and East Hall), and then march to the Diag to take their seats for the ceremony.
Maps and diagrams of the Diag will be posted in the near future.
Ticket distribution will be held at U-M’s Alumni Center from April 21 – 25, 2008. Click here for information on tickets.
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Eligibility
All graduates and candidates of the Winter
Term 2008 or Spring/Summer 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
Interested in representing your graduating class as this year's Spring Commencement Student Speaker? It's easier than you may think!
If you would like to speak at this year's ceremony you must submit a copy of your speech script, a recording of your speech, and a copy of your resume or CV. (More detail about format and delivery method is below.)
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., Thursday, March 13, 2008. The commencement ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 26, 2008 on the Diag.
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 script. (Please submit “.doc” format if e-mailed to studentspeaker@umich.edu or hard-copy if mailed/delivered to the Fleming Building)
2. Recording of author delivering the speech – maximum length of five (5) minutes. Any speeches longer than 5 minutes may be disqualified. (Please submit “.wav” 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. (Please submit “.doc” format if e-mailed to studentspeaker@umich.edu or hard-copy if mailed/delivered to the Fleming Building)
A cover letter is not necessary.
This opportunity is open to all U-M students who will receive a bachelors, masters, or doctorate degree at the conclusion of Winter Term 2008 or Spring/Summer Term 2008.
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Academic Attire
Academic attire 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 or rental 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, April 25 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 Michigan Union Bookstore.
Rental attire may be reserved Monday, March 3 through Friday, April 18. The Michigan Union Bookstore
cannot guarantee gown sizes or hood colors after April 18. Rental attire should be returned by Friday, May 2.
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, April 26, including children over age two, need a ticket.
Bachelor’s degree recipients are eligible to receive up to six tickets; graduate (master’s and doctoral) degree recipients are eligible to receive up to four tickets. Graduates need to bring their MCard to pick up tickets. Tickets are for general admission seating.
Spring Commencement ticket distribution takes place in the Alumni Center, Founders Room (Alumni Association, 200 Fletcher Street, corner of Fletcher and Washington Streets) at the following dates and times:
Monday, April 21: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 22: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 23: 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 24: 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Extra tickets, if available, will be distributed to graduates and candidates on a first-come, first-served basis on Friday, April 25, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Any leftover tickets will be available to the general public on Friday, April 25 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Graduates and candidates who are unable to attend ticket distribution (due to off-campus work or internship) need to call 734-647-6037 by Friday, April 11 to arrange to pick up tickets at Will Call on the day of commencement. The graduate’s name, student ID number, and school or college are needed to process the Will Call request. Tickets are held for distribution from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26.
The Will Call Tent will be located by the north end of Angell Hall (between State Street and Angell Hall). Will call will open at 7:00 a.m.
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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 2008.
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
22-25 and April 29-May 2, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Diplomas not picked up
during that time will be mailed beginning May 5. (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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Announcements
Announcements may be purchaased 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 12 and Thursday, March 13, 2008, 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 April 26. 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 gathering
area on Saturday, April 26. 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
University Unions invites graduating students, their families and friends to the annual Commencement Buffet Celebration on Saturday, April 26 from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. at the Michigan Union and the Michigan League. Both buildings are located in the heart of campus, within a five minute walk of the Diag. The buffet-style brunch features a variety of elegant main courses, salads, breakfast items, desserts and non-alcoholic beverages. The price is $22.95 for adults and $12.95 for children under twelve; tax and gratuity will also be added. Seating is limited, so please reserve early. Reservations can be made by calling (734) 763-4648, Monday–Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Michigan Memories
Commencement Reception
Graduating seniors, their families, and guests are invited to join members of the University community for a University-wide reception on Saturday, April 26 following Spring Commencement. The reception, hosted by University Unions, will take place in the Michigan Union Art Lounge and will feature an array of Michigan memorabilia. Refreshments will be served. For information, contact the University Unions Arts & Programs Office at (734) 763-3202 or at UUAP@umich.edu.
Hold Your Commencement Celebration on Campus!
Commemorate your graduation with a reception, lunch or dinner at one of our three distinctive unions at the University of Michigan. For 100 years, the historic Michigan Union and Michigan League have provided exceptional service and catering to the University. We would like to provide you with the same memorable experience that every Michigan graduate deserves. For those of you on North Campus - don’t think we’ve forgotten you! Pierpont Commons offers fare as unforgettable as this momentous day, and is surrounded by all the natural beauty North Campus has to offer. If you prefer another campus location, University Catering can deliver a flavorful feast right to your doorstep.
As our special gift to graduating seniors, University Unions is offering complimentary banquet rooms April 24-27, 2008 with a minimum purchase of ten full service meals. For more information, please contact the University Unions Event Services at 734-764-8837 and peruse our website at www.umich.edu/~uunions.
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.
Ann Arbor Community
Commencement Weekend Sales
Renaissance Ann Arbor (Fine Ladies and Gentlemen's clothing) is conducting a Stock Liquidation Sale. Everything is from 50% to 90% off regular prices. 350 S. Main Street. http://www.renaissanceannarbor.com/
Carol Roeda Studio (Whimsical and Go Blue gifts, local folk art) is offering 20% off any full price item. 319 S. Main Street.
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Passover
Commencement events will coincide with the last days of Passover in 2008. Preparations are being made by U-M and Hillel so observant Jewish families may both celebrate graduation and adhere to the dietary restrictions of the holiday.
Please visit the following website for information on 2008 Commencement Kosher for Passover Meal Service: http://conferences.housing.umich.edu/commencement.
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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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Yearbook
The Michiganensian
yearbook has been published annually at the University of Michigan
for over a century. Senior portraits, taken by Carl Wolff Studios
from September 11 through December 7, 2007, will be automatically featured
in the 2007-2008 Michiganensian. Visit michiganyearbook.com
or call (734) 764-9425 for information about ordering the yearbook.
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