to the families of graduates! Commencement is a joyous occasion and provides an important and meaningful culmination to the efforts made by graduates and their families. The commencement ceremony, on Friday, December 9, 7:00 p.m., at the Breslin Center, includes conferral of degrees and the individual recognition of candidates. Graduates and their guests are asked to be respectful as each graduate's name is read. Please remain for the entire ceremony.
Admission tickets are not required. Large bags are subject to search. To avoid any delays, do not bring large bags to the ceremony. Doors open one hour and 15 minutes prior to the ceremony.
Due to the large volume of traffic and demand on parking, commencement shuttle bus service is provided at NO charge. We strongly recommend that you take advantage of the commencement shuttle bus service. Please see details below.
Degree candidates are asked to report to assembly one hour prior to their ceremony, and must be in academic apparel to participate. Below you will find information about the ceremony, academic apparel and announcements, graduate photos, shuttle bus service, and parking.
On behalf of the Commencement Committee, congratulations on your graduate's achievements. It is our hope that the information we provide will assist you in your visit to Michigan State University during the commencement weekend.
Sincerely,
Linda O. Stanford
Associate Provost for Academic Services
Chairperson, Commencement Committee
Karen K. Klomparens
Dean of the The Graduate School,
and Associate Provost for Graduate Education
PRINT FOR COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION AND DIAGRAMS/MAPS (pdf)--this document is available to Advanced Degree Candidates participating in the commencement ceremonies and should be helpful to families and other guests of graduates.
In support of the University commitment to sustainability, both the master's degree and baccalaureate degree cap and gown is now manufactured using recycled materials.
Cap and Gown: Master's keepsake package is $53.00 (plus sales tax), and Doctoral rental ($50.00) at the Spartan Spirit Shop, MSU Union Building. Store hours: 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. Or visit Web site at Commencement Connection.
Deadline and late fee apply to rental of doctoral academic apparel: A $15.00 LATE FEE WILL APPLY AFTER THE DEADLINE (At 12:01 a.m., Monday, November 7). Reservations of rental apparel cannot be made after 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 28. Payment in full is necessary to reserve apparel. There will be NO REFUNDS AFTER ORDERS ARE PLACED.
With questions about announcements or cap and gown, please call the Spartan Spirit Shop (MSU Union Building) at (517) 355-5116 or e-mail capgown@msu.edu.
Visit the Commencement Connection to order announcements and cap and gown. For more information about ordering announcements: Please email capgown@msu.eduor call the Spartan Spirit Store at (517) 355-5116.
The Spartan Spirit Shop is located on campus at the MSU Union Building(at the Abbott Road entrance to MSU) .
You may order announcements and other graduation-related items at the Commencement Connection.
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 Web site. Store 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.
When visiting Michigan State University for the commencement ceremonies, please be sure to visit http://www.construction.msu.edu/index.cfm/detours/ for current construction and detours on campus or near campus.
Please be sure to check the MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation) for any Major Highway Construction on roads or highways you travel on to East Lansing.
Please view our Visitors to East Lansing page for more information about food, lodging, and other events and activities taking place in the community!
The Breslin Center is a barrier-free facility. Wheelchair seating is available at the Concourse level. Ushers will direct guests to these areas. Since seating in these areas is limited, and we wish to accommodate as many as possible, we ask that one person in your party be seated with the individual requiring wheelchair seating and that other guests in your party find seats in the general seating areas.
Those unable to climb stairs may be seated in the Wheelchair seating areas. Ushers will direct guests to these areas. As above, one other guest in your party may be seated in this area, and all other guests should find seating in the general seating areas.
The following are available at Guests Services, Gate B (Southeast entrance). Please arrive early so that accommodations may be met. The doors open one hour and 15 minutes prior to the ceremony.
The “Phonic Ear,” for guests who require sound amplification.
Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You must leave identification to use the wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are available for transportation only. Due to the limit in the number of wheelchairs we have available, we strongly recommend that you bring your own or, if possible, borrow.
First Aid.
Lost and Found.
Information and Referrals.
An interpreter for the hearing-impaired will be on the stage. Individuals requiring an interpreter, please contact Betsy White by Thursday, November 17 at acadevnt@msu.edu or 1-517-353-9900 for reserved seating tickets. Please provide name, mailing address, number of tickets needed, and contact information. In order to accommodate all requests, the number of tickets may be limited.
Visit our Maps, Parking, Shuttle page. Parking is very limited, and shuttle service is strongly recommended for graduates and their families and other guests.
Parking for persons with disabilities in Breslin Center, lot 63 (south side of Breslin Center). Enter from Shaw Lane. You must have a State of Michigan-issued parking plate/placard for persons with disabilities (other State-issued parking permits for persons with disabilities will permit entrance). Please use a hanging permit when available, as parking monitors will identify these more easily and admittance to the parking lot will be much quicker. Please see diagram below for your ceremony.
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 the Breslin Center at degree candidate assembly areas. There will be two photos of each graduate: 1) as the President presents the token diploma and 2) a posed photo before the graduate returns to his/her seat. Following the ceremony, students will be contacted with proofs and ordering information. You can visit the photographer's Website at: www.graduationfoto.com/products.htm.
View Shuttle Bus Service Map (pdf). Buses run Friday, December 9, 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, 5:30-10:30 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.
Please be respectful as names are read, so that each graduate is recognized appropriately.
(Most graduates will return to the Concourse level at Gate B. Graduates who exit the arena behind the stage (on your right (if facing the stage)) will be returning to the Concourse level between Gates C and D. Please arrange to meet your family and other guests, and please note that since Gate B will be the busiest area, we strongly suggest that you meet them at alternate Gates A, C or D.)
Diplomas are mailed approximately one month after the end of the semester.
Commencement Office
E-mail: acadevnt@msu.edu
Phone: (517) 353-3993