College of Medicine Commencement Ceremony

Sunday, May 6, 2018 | 2:00 p.m. (graduates must arrive by 1:00 p.m.)

​Plachta Auditorium, Warriner Hall
​1200 S. Franklin St.
​Mount Pleasant, MI 48859

For printable commencement ceremony instructions, please click here.

Cap and Gown

Doctor of Medicine candidates must make arrangements to rent their custom CMU academic apparel by contacting the CMU Bookstore at 989-774-7490 or 800-283-0234. The CMU Bookstore office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. Orders must be placed as soon as possible, but no later than Friday, March 9, 2018 by 5:00 p.m. Purchase options are also available; please contact the CMU Bookstore for pricing.

Apparel can be picked up in the Lake Huron Room, located in the Bovee University Center, on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 and Thursday, May 3, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Apparel that is not picked up by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday can only be picked up on commencement day in Warriner 212 beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Following the ceremony, rental apparel must be returned to the Isabella Room, located in the Bovee University Center.

Tickets

Each graduate will receive eight guest tickets for the commencement ceremony. Tickets will be mailed to all graduates from the College of Medicine Office of Student Affairs.

Commencement Announcements

Personalized announcements may be ordered at www.balfour.com or by calling 1-877-BALFOUR (877-225-3687).

Parent Hooders

Graduates whose parent(s) are physicians may choose to have their parent(s) hood them during the ceremony (no exceptions). If you would like to have your parent(s) hood you, you must notify the Office of Student Affairs at (989) 774-7880 no later than Monday, March 12, 2018. Please provide them with your parent(s) name and pronunciation. Parent hooders will have reserved seats near the stage.

Commencement Day Instructions & Information

Instructions for Graduates

Graduates should report to the second floor of Warriner Hall by 1:00 p.m. (an elevator is located on the first floor). Immediately go to the registration table and tell the attendant your name. You will be given a partially pre-printed card that is used by the reader to announce your name to the audience. Graduates will be lined up for the processional in the second floor hallway of Warriner Hall. Graduates must remain in the order that they are lined up. Graduates should not put their hood on, but leave it unbuttoned and carry it draped over the left arm. The processional enters the auditorium promptly at 2:00 p.m.

Instructions for Guests

Guests should enter Warriner Hall and go to Plachta Auditorium to locate seats. Doors will open to Plachta Auditorium at approximately 1:00 p.m. The processional enters the auditorium promptly at 2:00 p.m. The approximate length of the ceremony is two hours.

Driving Directions

For driving directions use a GPS or online mapping site and enter Central Michigan University, 1200 S. Franklin St., Mount Pleasant, MI 48859.

Parking

Candidates for graduation and guests may park free of charge in any lots surrounding Warriner Hall including lots 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 15, 18, 20, 22, 27 and 28. No parking permit is required. A campus map can be viewed here.

Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

Please contact University Events at 989-774-3355 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) with requests for accommodations.

Programs

Programs will be available for graduates as they line up for the procession and will be available for guests at auditorium entrances.

Photography

An official photographer will take photographs of the graduates and send at least one complimentary photo to the address on record with the university. If you choose to take your own photos during the ceremony, please be courteous of those around you and do not block other's view of the ceremony.

Ceremony Behavior and Protocol

Commencement is an exciting and memorable day for all graduates and their guests, but it is also a solemn one. Graduates and guests are expected to remain for the entire ceremony. Leaving before the ceremony has ended is disruptive and disrespectful to others. The last graduate to cross the stage should expect to receive the same honor as the first. Please show consideration for all graduates by remaining seated until the conclusion of the ceremony.

During the ceremony, graduates and guests should refrain from excessive talking, cheering, use of noisemakers, and any other distractions that take away from the dignity of the ceremony. In addition, electronic devices should be set to vibrate, silent or off. Graduates and guests who are disruptive will be escorted from the ceremony.

Graduates may not carry food or beverages into the ceremony. Beverages are not permitted in Plachta Auditorium and will be confiscated.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, all guests are asked to remain in their seats until the platform party and all graduates have exited the auditorium.

Contact Information