Commencement Day Instructions
Instructions for Graduates
Prior to arriving to the ceremony:
- Sign up for commencement reminders and updates by texting cmichgrad to 77295.
- Review the Clear Bag Policy and Stadium Guidelines.
- Forward your electronic tickets to your guests. Tickets will be released to your Tickets.com account on Monday, May 3. See the Commencement Ticket webpage for more information.
- Pick up your cap and gown Tuesday, May 4 - Thursday, May 6, 8:15 am - 5:45 pm in the Bovee University Center Room 102 (lower level). Pick up will also be available at graduate line up for graduates who are unable to pick up their cap and gown ahead of time.
- Plan to wear comforable shoes for the ceremony. You will be walking a long distance and will be walking on turf. High heals are strongly discouraged.
Arriving to the ceremony:
- Complete health screening through the CMICH Healthscreen app.
- Leave personal belongings at home or with your guests. There will not be a secure area to store personal items during the ceremony.
- Graduates should plan to arrive at 10:30 am and park or be dropped off in Lot 63 and enter the Indoor Athletic Complex to check-in and line up for the ceremony. Follow directional signs for graduate parking and entrance.
- Be ready to have your temperature taken and show the attendant the green checkmark showing you completed the CMICH Healthscreen.
Instructions for Guests
Prior to arriving to the ceremony:
Arriving to the ceremony:
- Gates will open to Kelly/Shorts Stadium at approximately 10:30 am.
- Parking for guests is available in lots 62 east and 62 west.
- Prior to entering, all guests will be required to answer health screening questions and have their temperature taken.
COVID-19 Safety Measures and Ceremony Protocol
- Face coverings are required at all times for all attendees.
- All graduate and guest seating will be physically distanced.
- In-person speakers and stage party members will be limited.
- Graduate name announcements and stage crossing protocols:
- Graduate will cross an ADA-compliant ramp as their name is called.
- Graduate will pause on the ramp for a formal photo with President Davies and Dean Kikano. Face coverings must remain on for the photo.
- Graduates will exit the stadium and not return to their seat after they cross the stage.
- An individual photo will be taken as the graduate is leaving. Masks may be temporarily removed for this photo.
- The ceremony will periodically pause to allow guests to leave after their graduate's name has been read.
Driving Directions and Parking
For driving directions to Kelly/Shorts Stadium, please click here.
Guest parking is available in lots 62 east and 62 west. Shuttles will be moving through the lots to assist in getting guests to the gates.
Graduates should park or be dropped off in lot 64.
Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities
Guests who required ADA seating should arrive at least one-hour prior to the ceremony. Handicapped parking spaces are available in lot 62, north of Kelly/Shorts Stadium. ADA seating will allow for one companion to sit next to them. Other members of the party will be seated nearby, if possible. Special tickets are not required for ADA seating. For additional information or questions regarding accommodations for persons with disabilities, please contact (989) 774-1097.
Graduates who require disability accommodations should contact (989) 774-1097.
Photography
A professional photographer will take photographs of all graduates. A proof will be mailed to the address on record with the university. Purchase information is included with the proof.
Flowers
Commencement Flowers will be onsite for guests who are interested in purchasing flowers for their graduates. For a safe, contact free purchase, guests are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the online pre-order option. To retrieve your order, guests should stop by the Commencement Flowers booth located inside the entrance to the stadium.