Guest Information

Tickets are NOT required for guests attending the School of Public Health (Public Health) Graduation Ceremony. There is no limit on the number of guests who can attend. However, students must register the number of guests attending the Public Health Graduation Ceremony AND reception when they complete the online registration form to participate in the Public Health Graduation Ceremony.

Hill Auditorium will open to guests at 11:30 a.m. Guests should enter through the front doors and be seated by 12:15 p.m. Seating for graduation is general admission, and all three levels at Hill Auditorium will have guest seating. Please note that graduates will be seated on the main floor, and will occupy nearly half of the seats on that level. Therefore, the main floor will fill up quickly at which time guests will be directed to seating on the mezzanine and balcony levels. Guests are requested to remain seated throughout the program. For guests with disabilities, please see the next section.

Please note, tickets ARE required for the University-wide Spring Commencement for both graduates and guests. Learn more.

• There will be no food or beverages allowed in the auditorium at any time.
• Strollers are not permitted inside Hill Auditorium. There is no space to accommodate strollers in the auditorium or storage areas.

The University of Michigan wants to ensure that all graduates, candidates, and guests can participate fully in graduation. All requests for accommodations are made in cooperation with the Accessibility Task Force of the Council for Disability Concerns. All requests for accommodations should be made by Monday, April 13. This request can be made two ways: by e-mailing sph.events@umich.edu or by filling out the information in the Public Health Graduation Registration site.

 A sign language interpreter will be present and there will be captioning monitors. 

If you or your guest(s) have mobility limitations (wheelchair, walker, etc.) please plan to enter Hill Auditorium from the WEST entrance (off Thayer Street) nearest the ramps into the auditorium. Ushers will be available to assist in locating wheelchair-accessible seating and restrooms for guests. Please email sph.events@umich.edu if you have any questions regarding your needs.

Family members, who are not the children or spouse of the F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor, must apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa to gain entry into the U.S. Family members from certain countries may be eligible to travel to the U.S. to visit for stays of up to 90 days without obtaining a B-1/B-2 visa through the U.S. Department of State Visa Waiver Program.

The University of Michigan will provide a letter of invitation to assist guests of graduates who are applying for a visa to attend their student's commencement ceremony. To request a letter:

• Please complete this form
• The letter from the University will be emailed to the graduate, who can then forward it to their guests for use in documenting their visa request.
• If multiple guests are in need of a letter of invitation, please fill out this form multiple times.
• Please allow one business day to receive the letter via email.

Hotels

Hotel arrangements for your guests should be made as soon as possible. Please visit the Public Health website for a listing of accommodations, as well as information on directions, airport, and other transportation.

Parking

Public parking will be available in the UM parking structures on Thayer and Fletcher Streets. These are the closest structures to Hill Auditorium and they also provide handicapped parking. (The UM Parking Office will suspend enforcement for the Thayer and Fletcher Streets parking structures/lots for graduates and their guests. The gates to the Thayer, Fletcher, and Palmer Blue areas will be opened on Thursday for graduation attendees. Please avoid any specialty parking spaces such as the reserved spots for UM vehicles only. If a parking attendant is at the gate, please tell them you are attending Michigan School of Public Health Graduation Ceremony.) Parking spaces are provided on a first come, first served basis so there are no guarantees that you will find parking in these two lots. Please reference the parking diagram for all parking options near Hill Auditorium (PDF).

For a complete listing of all city and campus parking please visit:

• City Parking
• Campus Parking