Information for Graduates & Guests
What is the date of Commencement?
Friday, May 11, 2012
What is the location of Commencement?
Hill Auditorium
825 North University
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1276
What is the time schedule for Commencement?
2:00 p.m. Graduates and Faculty arrive at the East entrance to Hill Auditorium to robe and
line up for the processional
East entrance of Hill Auditorium open for physically challenged guests to enter2:15 p.m. Doors to Hill Auditorium open to the public
2:55 p.m. All guests to be seated
3:00 p.m. Processional begins with ceremony following
5:30 – 6:00 p.m. APPROXIMATE end time of ceremony
Dean’s Reception immediately following ceremony
How many guests may each graduate have and are tickets required for this event?
There is unlimited seating for guests. Tickets ARE NOT required. Seating is on a first come-first serve basis.
I have a physically challenged guest, what do I do?
If someone in your party is in need of special accommodations, please contact Paula in the Office of Medical Student Education by Friday, May 4th to make arrangements (734-763-7981 or paumeyer@umich.edu).
Hearing Impaired guest?
An American Sign Language interpreter will be present on stage for the duration of our ceremony.
What is the attire for graduates?
All graduates must wear medical school academic attire. This is ordered by the student through The Willsie Cap & Gown Company. You may order online at www.willsieco.com. Click on the University of Michigan link at the bottom left hand side of the page. Deadline for ordering is March 23, 2012.
Contact person at Willsie is: Andy Gillespie
gownman@aol.com
517-925-8630
When and Where is Commencement attire picked up by the graduates?
Graduates pick up their cap and gown orders at the Office of Student Programs – C5124 Medical Science Building I (734-764-0219).
Hours of Cap and Gown Pick Up:
Wednesday, May 9th: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 10th: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Can someone else pick up my attire?
If you would like someone else to pick up your gown for you, please send a note with this person confirming that they may pick up your attire.
Where do I return my cap and gown after Commencement?
Caps and gowns are to be turned in at Hill Auditorium after the graduation ceremony. Andy Gillespie from the Willsie Cap and Gown Company will be there to collect your attire.
If graduate is receiving an honor cord to wear at Commencement, where and when can those be picked up?
Honor cords are picked up at Hill Auditorium when the graduate arrives to robe and line up for the processional on Friday, May 11th.
When does graduate need to arrive at Hill Auditorium and where do they need to go?
All graduates must arrive at Hill Auditorium by 2:00 p.m. on May 11th. Please use the East entrance of Hill Auditorium and go up one flight (look for signs directing you where to go). Graduates will pick up a card for photographer, name pronunciation card and honor cords, robe, and line up alphabetically for the processional.
Is there a rehearsal for Commencement?
There will NOT be any rehearsal for this ceremony. Instructions for the processional, etc. will be given to the graduates when they arrive at Hill Auditorium for the Commencement Ceremony on May 11th.
Will there be a photographer?
Photographs of all graduates will be taken by Graduation Foto when they cross the stage to receive their diploma. A photo card will be given to the graduate when they arrive at Hill Auditorium on May 11th. This will need to be filled out and handed in so that Graduation Foto can send/email graduates their proofs for ordering. Graduate is not obligated to purchase any of these photos.
Will the Medical School Ceremony be videotaped?
Yes, we will be recording the Commencement Ceremony to be played back on the Medical School Home Page following the event. A link will be provided to all graduates once it is up and running. This is for your enjoyment as well as for your families, and friends - especially those who will not be able to attend the ceremony!
Who is the Commencement Speaker?
This year we are pleased to have as our commencement speaker a U-M Medical School 1975 graduate and former U.S. Army Surgeon General and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Command, Lieutenant General (Retired) Eric B. Schoomaker. Dr. Schoomaker has spent his entire career improving education and training of health care professionals in the military medical system. He is dedicated to meeting the health care needs of soldiers, their families and veterans, launching many initiatives that the Army Medical Department is implementing throughout its facilities in the U.S., Europe and the Pacific. He will reflect on his U-M education, how it prepared him for leadership, for work within high-functioning health care teams, and how it helped him build a successful career in medicine during a time of tremendous change in science and health care delivery.
What/When/Where is the Deans Reception and are tickets required?
The Dean’s Reception is an informal reception honoring the 2012 graduates of the Medical School. It will take place immediately following the Commencement Ceremony at the Michigan League. All graduates, their guests and faculty are invited. No RSVP or tickets are required.
What about parking?
The parking structures on Thayer, Fletcher and Palmer will be open to park for free after 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 11th, and will remain open through the evening (Parking Structure Map). Handicap parking is available in all of these structures. If you are parking on the street, you must pay the parking meters, as that is enforced by the city of Ann Arbor.
What should I do if I do not plan on participating in Commencement?
We will need to know if you will not be participating in Commencement. By going to the site below and filling out and submitting the online form, you will provide us with the information we will need to get you your diploma following Commencement.
Where can we purchase graduation announcements or a picture frame for our diploma?
By going to the Herff Jones web site (see link below), you will be able to order graduation announcements specifically for the University of Michigan Medical School, as well as a frame that will fit your medical school diploma, which is a very large size.
Central Campus Commencement Information?
For those of you who would like to inquire about the Central Campus Commencement Ceremony on April 28th, please go to the following link: http://umich.edu/~gradinfo/
