EAST LANSING — The season of caps and gowns and “Pomp and Circumstance” has begun in East Lansing as Michigan State University students get ready for graduation.
From ceremony times to where to park, here’s what students and visitors need to know ahead of graduation weekend.
When is convocation?
Spring convocation, meant to kick off undergraduate ceremonies, will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, at the Breslin Center.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be speaking during the ceremony, which will bring together students, staff and faculty members from all segments of the university for graduation weekend.
Whitmer, who has served as governor since 2019, is a two-time MSU graduate, earning both her bachelor’s degree and law degree from MSU.
The event is open to all undergraduate students and guests. Tickets are not required to attend.
The ceremony is expected to last around one hour.
When are the graduation ceremonies?
Graduation ceremonies will be held from Thursday, April 30, to Sunday, May 2, and again on May 8-9.
Different ceremonies will be held between individual colleges.
Different ceremonies will be held for those graduating with masters or doctorate degrees, as will people graduating with medical or law degrees.
Do I need a ticket to go to graduation?
Admission tickets are not required for any MSU graduation ceremony and there is no limit to the number of guests any graduate can bring, according to the MSU website.
Seating is available on a first-come basis.
Can I bring a bag to MSU’s graduation?
Bags that are clear, plastic, vinyl or PVC and smaller than 12-by 6-by-12 inches are permitted in both Breslin Center and Wharton Center for graduation ceremonies.
Necessary medical items can be brought in, but must be in a clear plastic gallon bag and will be searched and tagged by an MSU police officer, according to the MSU website. Childcare items will need to be put in a clear plastic gallon bag as well.
Where should I park for graduation?
Parking for commencement will be free on campus along with shuttles running to transport visitors to the Breslin Center. The shuttles will run every 10-15 minutes on a continuous loop and are accessible, according to the MSU website.
The shuttle will stop in front of ramp 5 near the Communications Arts and Sciences building, on Shaw Lane at lot 79 south of Spartan Stadium, and at the bus shelters at lot 89, the commuter bus stop at the northwest corner of Mount Hope Road and Farm Lane.
Visitors are encouraged to park in lots 67, 62, 124, 79, 39 and 40, or ramps 4, 5, or 7. Permit and accessible parking will be in lots 63 and 126.
The full campus map can be found on MSU’s website at commencement.msu.edu/guests/directions-parking.
Can I watch MSU’s graduation ceremonies at home?
Yes, livestreams of each graduation will be available to watch via WKAR. The livestreams can be watched through the commencement.msu.edu/ website, and will be available to watch later via video.wkar.org/show/msu-commencements/.
Contact Karly Graham at kgraham@lsj.com. Follow her on X at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU students are graduating this week. What to know before ceremonies
Reporting by Karly Graham, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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