Families Fall Semester Information

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Greetings and Congratulations...

on the achievement of your graduate in completing the requirements for an MSU degree! Commencement is a joyous occasion and provides a very important and meaningful occasion to acknowledge and celebrate the efforts of graduates and their families.

The advanced degree commencement ceremony and each of the baccalaureate degree commencement are at the Breslin Center and the ceremonies includes the conferral of degrees and individual recognition of candidates. Graduates and their guests are asked to be respectful as each graduate's name is read, and to remain for the entire ceremony.

Admission tickets are NOT required. Large bags are subject to search; to avoid delays, do not bring large bags to the ceremony.

Due to the large volume of traffic and parking demand, commencement shuttle bus service is provided for your convenience. This service is free of charge and is available on Friday and Saturday. We strongly recommend that you take advantage of the commencement shuttle bus service. Please see details below.

On behalf of the Commencement Committee, congratulations on your graduate's achievements and thank you for your contributions to his or her success. It is our hope that the information provided on the Commencement Web site assists you in your visit to Michigan State University during the fall semester commencement exercises.

Please visit Fall Semester Schedule page for the date and time of commencement ceremonies, and please feel free to visit the instructions provided to graduates on their Web pages if you wish to gather more details about the ceremonies.

Sincerely,
Linda O. Stanford
Associate Provost for Academic Services
Chairperson, Commencement Committee

 

General Information

Announcements

Announcements, diploma frames and other graduation-related items may be purchased at the Spartan Spirit Shop in the MSU Union Building (map) or at the Commencement Connection site.  The shop hours are: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m. With questions, e-mail capgown@msu.edu or phone the Spartan Spirit Shop at 1-517-355-5116.

Diplomas

Diplomas are mailed approximately one month after the end of the semester with a complimentary copy of your transcript included.

Etiquette

We ask graduates and guests who attend ceremonies to remain for the entire ceremony, and please be respectful as each graduate's name is read so that each name is heard and each graduate is recognized appropriately and so that the ceremony is not disrupted. 

Food and Lodging

Please view our Visitors to East Lansing page for more information about food, lodging, and other events and activities taking place within the community!

Parking

Visit our Maps, Parking, Shuttle page for maps and details on Commencement Shuttle Service.  Parking is very limited, and shuttle service is strongly recommended for those participating in ceremonies at the Breslin Center on Friday and Saturday, and the MSU Auditorium on Saturday.

Photographs

Professional photographers will take photos of graduates during the Advanced Degree Commencement Ceremony and the Baccalaureate Degree Commencement Ceremonies. Photo cards will be distributed at assembly. You can visit the photographer's website here for ordering information after the ceremonies.

Schedule Fall 2009

Commencement Schedules Fall 2009

Shuttle Bus Service--Advanced Degree Ceremony

View Shuttle Bus Service Map (pdf). Buses run Friday, December 11, Breslin Center. NO CHARGE. Shuttle buses are accessible. We strongly recommend that graduates and their guests use the shuttle service. Shuttle buses run every 10-15 minutes, 5:30-10:00 p.m., from:

  • Ramp 5 (Trowbridge Road at the Communication Arts and Sciences Building). Stops in front of the ramp.

  • Lot 79 (south side of Spartan Stadium). Stops on Shaw Lane.

  • Lot 89 (Commuter lot) at the northwest corner of Mt. Hope Rd. and Farm Lane. Stops at the Bus Shelter.

SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE--Baccalaureate Degree Ceremonies

BRESLIN SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE. Breslin shuttle bus service is Saturday, December 12, from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. NO CHARGE. Shuttle buses are accessible. We strongly recommend that graduates and their guests use the shuttle service. Shuttle buses run every 10-15 minutes, from: 

  • Ramp 5 (Trowbridge Road at the Communication Arts and Sciences Building). Stops in front of the ramp.

  • Lot 79 (south side of Spartan Stadium). Stops on Shaw Lane.

  • Lot 89 (Commuter lot) at the northwest corner of Mt. Hope Rd. and Farm Lane. Stops at the Bus Shelter.

View Shuttle Bus Service Map (pdf)

Contact Information

Commencement Office
E-mail: acadevnt@msu.edu
Phone: (517) 353-3993