LINK TO: UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Grad Guide to Commencement
Spring Commencement
LINK TO: TicketsLINK TO: ContactsLINK TO: Maps
LINK TO: General Information
LINK TO: Commencement Day Instructions
LINK TO: School and College Recognition Programs
LINK TO: Live Webcast
LINK TO: Graduate Exercises

Venue: Elbel Field

Description: Elbel Field, home of the Michigan Marching Band and fall pep rallies, is beloved by students as a place to relax and have fun. In spring and summer months students gather for frisbee, baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, roller hockey, and more. Situated between Hill and Hoover Streets, it is a close walk from both Central Campus and the Athletic Campus. On commencement day, graduates will gather before the ceremony near the U-M Coliseum before beginning the formal graduate procession into their seats.

View map [PDF] »

Tickets per Graduate: 8 tickets

Extra Tickets: At the conclusion of graduate ticket distribution, extra tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Guest Seating: general admission within pre-assigned sections

Graduate Procession: Yes

Accessibility: A drop-off location and reserved seating for guests with limited mobility will be available.

Rain Plan: The commencement ceremony will take place outdoors regardless of rain or other non-severe weather conditions. In the event of rain or inclement weather, members of the audience are welcome to watch the ceremony on live video in Crisler Arena. Admission to Crisler Arena is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parking: Parking will be available at Thompson Street Structure, the Indoor Track/Yost Ice Arena/Fisher Stadium parking lot, Crisler Arena, and Pioneer High School.

Shuttles: Shuttles will be available from various locations in Ann Arbor (including several local hotels) to Elbel Field. Return shuttles will also be available.

Pros:

  • Graduates will receive 8 tickets each.
  • All guests will have an unobstructed view of the graduates and the stage.
  • While some traffic congestion is inevitable, there is plenty of nearby parking and traffic flow near Elbel field will be relatively good.

Cons:

  • There is the possibility of noise from surrounding neighborhood homes and the nearby railroad tracks. The University will work in collaboration with the City of Ann Arbor to minimize the risk of this occurring.

  • Elbel Field’s location, near commercial sites, is not scenic. To improve the ambiance, Elbel Field would be decked out with oversized silk-screened images of campus and student events. The larger-than-life banners would hang around the perimeter of the field, creating a dramatic and theatrical setting.

  • Restrooms in nearby buildings are limited. Porta-johns will be brought in to provide guests with closer and easier access to restrooms.

View Seating Diagram [PDF] »

Distance from stage to farthest seat: 520 feet

 

Elbel Field

The above photo is taken from the approximate location of the commencement stage. The graduates will be seated directly in front of the stage, and guest seating will surround on all sides. The level, open field will provide guests an unobstructed view of the stage and graduates. The field may be covered with plywood and other material pending weather conditions.

 

Silk screen banner at Mott Children's Hospital

The above photo was taken at the groundbreaking of Mott Children’s Hospital and Women’s Hospital. The silk-screened banner is similar to the types of banners that will be placed around the perimeter at Elbel Field.

View Comparison Chart [PDF] »


Office of University and Development Events, (734) 647-6037