Commencement

 

The 2022 School of Kinesiology Spring Commencement Ceremony is on Thursday, April 28, from 4:30-6:30pm ET in Hill Auditorium.

 

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Commencement Speaker

Information coming soon.

 

Eligibility

  • UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS graduating in August 2021, December 2021, May 2022, August 2022, or December 2022 are eligible to participate in the 2022 Kinesiology Commencement Ceremony. (Note: This is not the university-wide commencement ceremony; December 2022 graduates are not eligible to participate in the Spring 2022 university-wide ceremony.)
  • MASTER'S STUDENTS graduating in December 2021, May 2022, or August 2022 are eligible to participate in the 2022 Kinesiology Commencement Ceremony.
  • PHD STUDENTS should contact the Office of Graduate Student Affairs for participation eligibility.
  • ALUMNI WHO GRADUATED IN 2020 OR 2021 are also eligible to participate.

 

Participation Checklist

  1. Apply to graduate in Wolverine Access under Student Business > Degree Progress/Graduation > Apply for Graduation. The application is available until the last day of classes (April 19), but you must apply by Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in order to be included in both the University and Kinesiology Commencement programs.
  2. Complete the Walk Form by Monday, April 4, 2022.
  3. Apply to be a student commencement speaker by Monday, April 4, 2022. Open to Class of 2022 students at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
  4. Apply to be a commencement singer by Monday, April 4, 2022. Open to all students at every level, as a soloist or duo.
  5. If you or your guests have accessibility needs, complete the Accommodation Request Form by Monday, April 4, 2022.
  6. Complete the Call Photography Form prior to commencement. (Coming soon.)
  7. Forward the Kinesiology Commencement digital invitation to your family and friends. It will be emailed to you in early February.
  8. Buy or rent your academic attire.

 

Accommodation Requests

We want to ensure full and equitable participation in our events. If an accommodation would promote you or your guests' full participation in this event, please complete the Accommodation Request Form by Monday, April 4, 2022.

 

International Students: Letter of Invitation

The University of Michigan will provide a letter of invitation to assist graduates whose parents must apply for a visa in order to attend the commencement ceremony. Please visit myumi.ch/mn95P and follow the instructions to obtain a letter.

 

Academic Attire

Academic attire is required for the University and Kinesiology ceremonies. You can purchase or rent your cap and gown at the following locations:

Please note:

  • The Kinesiology tassel and hood color is sage green
  • Doctoral attire is NOT available at the Michiganensian
  • Hoods can be purchased or rented at Barnes & Noble and Ulrich's


Cords:

The cords available at the bookstores are cords for distinction (GPA) and for the various honors societies and service organizations. There is no limit to the number of cords you may wear when you graduate, so feel free to purchase the cords you have earned along the way.

The maize cords at the bookstores are for undergraduates who earn Distinction/High Distinction/Highest Distinction. The GPA ranges for the distinction notations are determined each May, based on the cumulative GPAs of Kinesiology graduates of that May degree period. Those same numbers are used for the August and December degree periods of that calendar year.

Distinction ranges will not be calculated until all grades are posted for all graduates for the Winter term. This means you will not officially know at the time you participate in commencement activities. How do you know whether or not you should buy maize distinction cords they sell at the bookstores? A best estimate reflects general ranges from the past:

  • Highest Distinction: 3.940-4.000
  • High Distinction: 3.847-3.939
  • Distinction: 3.686-3.846

 

Photography

Call Photography will take multiple pictures of each graduate as they cross the stage, and then email them a free color proof of their photos. There is no obligation to buy.

Additionally, there will be a professional photographer taking candid shots of the ceremony; these photos will be available for free download on the School of Kinesiology Flickr account a few days after the ceremony.

 

Livestreaming & Recording

The 2022 School of Kinesiology Spring Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed on Thursday, April 28, beginning at 4:30pm ET. (Link coming soon.) A recording of the ceremony will also be available on the school's YouTube channel after Commencement.

 

Day of Event Timeline

  • 3:30pm - Graduates arrive at Hill Auditorium (enter from EAST entrance off Ingalls Mall), proceed to the balcony level (third floor), visit the registration tables, and are directed to the processional staging area
  • 3:45pm - Doors open for guest seating in the auditorium
  • 4:15pm - Graduates line up to begin the procession
  • 4:30pm - Commencement begins promptly with procession of graduating students
  • 6:30pm (approx.) - Reception in the Michigan League Ballroom (although there is no way to predict the exact end time of the ceremony, 6:30pm is a reasonable approximation and most guests typically leave the reception by 7:30pm)

 

Day of Event Instructions for Graduates

  • Graduates should assemble in their academic attire, in the balcony level (third floor) of Hill Auditorium. Upon arriving at Hill please enter via the EAST entrance (Ingalls Mall entrance) and go directly to the registration tables in the balcony level (third floor) to pick up your name card and photo card. (You will hand your name card to the reader on stage, and hand your photo card to the photographer after you walk across the stage.) After you check in, you will be directed to the appropriate location to prepare for the processional line-up.
  • For the procession, graduates will line up by degree earned. In the auditorium, graduates will sit next to individuals in the same program. Kinesiology staff will assist you in lining up for the procession and with seating. The procession into the auditorium will begin promptly at 4:30pm.
  • Please do not bring any valuables, coats, purses, umbrellas, and other such items to Commencement - there is no place to store them. If you must bring something, you will need to leave it with family/friends BEFORE you go inside Hill. Family/friends will not be allowed to come inside the building with you. They will need to wait until the doors open for guest seating.
  • We highly recommend that you wear shoes that are comfortable, supportive, and suitable for standing, walking, and climbing multiple flights of stairs.

 

Day of Event Information for Families & Guests

  • The doors open at Hill Auditorium at 3:45pm.
  • No tickets are required and it is general seating.
  • Guests should be seated by 4:15pm at the latest.
  • Guests are requested to remain seated throughout the program.
  • All graduates, their families, and friends are invited to attend the School of Kinesiology reception immediately following the Commencement ceremony. The reception will be in the Ballroom on the second floor of the Michigan League – located directly across Ingalls Mall from Hill Auditorium. Staff will be available after the ceremony to direct you to the reception.
  • We want to ensure full and equitable participation in our events. If an accommodation would promote you or your guests' full participation in this event, complete the Accommodation Request Form by Monday, April 4, 2022. Guest(s) with mobility limitations (wheelchair, walker, etc.), please arrive 3:30pm so you can be seated before we open the doors to the general public. By entering Hill Auditorium from the WEST entrance (off Thayer), you will be nearest the ramps into the auditorium. Ushers will be available to assist in locating wheelchair-accessible seating and restrooms for guests. A Sign Language interpreter will sign the entire ceremony.

 

FAQs

  • Are tickets required? Tickets are NOT required for the Kinesiology ceremony. However, tickets ARE required for the university ceremony at Michigan Stadium.
  • Is there a photographer at graduation? Call Photography will take multiple pictures of each graduate as they cross the stage, and then email them a free color proof of the photos. There is no obligation to buy. Additionally, there will be a professional photographer taking candid shots of the ceremony; these photos will be available for free download on the School of Kinesiology Flickr account a few days after the ceremony.
  • Where can I park? Public parking will be available at the U-M structures. The closest structures to Hill Auditorium are on Fletcher and Thayer as shown on the central campus parking map. Please note that downtown will be extremely busy during the week of graduation and you should allow plenty of extra time to travel and find parking.
  • Where can I find more information on the university graduation ceremony at Michigan Stadium? More information can be found on the university's Spring Commencement website. The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 10:00am. Tickets ARE required.
  • Where can I find more information on the Rackham Graduate School graduation ceremony at Hill Auditorium? More information can be found on the University's Spring Commencement website. The ceremony is scheduled for Friday, April 29, 2022, at 10:00am. Tickets are NOT required.