Please review all information carefully and share with your guests.
Instructions for Graduates
Prior to arriving to the ceremony:
- Sign up for commencement reminders and updates by texting cmich2020grad to 77295.
- Review the Clear Bag Policy and Stadium Guidelines.
- Review the COVID-19 Safety Measures and Ceremony Protocol.
- Print the QR code that will be emailed to you from NameCoach and bring it with you to the ceremony. This card will be scanned as you cross the stage to announce your name. If you do not receive an email from NameCoach or if you are unable to print, you may pick up a copy of your QR code when you arrive for the ceremony.
- Forward your electronic tickets to your guests. Tickets will be released to your Tickets.com account the Monday prior to your ceremony. See the Commencement Ticket page for more information.
- Plan to wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking a long distance and on turf. Heels 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.
- Arrive one-hour prior to your ceremony start time.
- Graduates should park or be dropped off in lot 64 and enter the Turf Bay of the Indoor Athletic Complex. 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.
- Line up in the designated area, maintaining physical distance between yourself and others.
Instructions for Guests
Prior to arriving to the ceremony:
Arriving to the ceremony:
- Gates will open to Kelly/Shorts Stadium approximately one-hour prior to the ceremony.
- 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
- As of Saturday, May 15 at 9 AM, under the updated MDHHS Gatherings and Mask Order, individuals who are outdoors will no longer need to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.
- Graduates will be asked to wear a mask or face covering while indoors prior to the ceremony.
- 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 the president.
- 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.
- Guests to leave after their graduates 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 throughout 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 require ADA seating should arrive at least one-hour prior to the ceremony. Handicapped parking spaces are
available in lot 62, located 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.
Live captioning of the ceremonies can be viewed on your phone or tablet.
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.
Diplomas
Diplomas are not distributed
during the commencement ceremonies. Students who are eligible for diplomas
receive them by mail. Following the graduation date and upon the successful
completion of all remaining degree requirements, diplomas will be mailed to the
permanent address on record over a six to eight period. If graduates need
to change their address, they must complete a change of address request through
CentralLink. Outstanding debts to the university must be resolved before diplomas or transcripts will be released.
Inclement Weather Policy
Commencement ceremonies will proceed unless there is severe weather (i.e. lightning, tornado). Graduates and guests are encouraged to come prepared for the elements if the forecast requires (warm clothes, umbrellas, rain coats, ponchos, etc.). To receive severe weather notifications text cmich2020grad to 77295 (May 15th ceremonies).
Photography
A professional photographer will
take photographs of all graduates. A proof of the photo 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.
All information is subject to
change. Please check back to this website periodically for the most up-to-date
information.