Because of construction, commencement won't be at Big House
EMU's Rynearson Stadium will host ceremony
This story was posted at 5:35 p.m. on Jan. 8.
Due to the ongoing construction at Michigan Stadium, this year's University-wide commencement ceremony will be take place at Eastern Michigan University's Rynearson Stadium on April 26, University of Michigan officials said Tuesday afternoon.
Because construction crews will be working on the Big House's electrical and plumbing systems at the scheduled time of the commencement, many of the stadium's facilities like public restrooms won't be usable.
The construction is part of a multi-year project that began this fall to build luxury boxes and premium seating on the sides of the stadium. The construction will also widen seats and add some wheelchair-accessible seating to the bowl.
Royster Harper, the University's vice president for student affairs, said the University chose not to move this year's commencement to Crisler Arena because it would reduce the amount of tickets available to graduates from eight to two or three per graduate.
Rynearson Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 30,200 for football games, sits about 6.5 miles east of Michigan Stadium in Ypsilanti.
Commencement ceremonies for the University's individual schools and colleges will still take place on campus, Harper said.
For updates on this story, check back later and read tomorrow's edition of The Michigan Daily.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 47
Karen
posted 1/08/08 @ 7:05 PM EST
I totally agree!!!! We have spent a fortune for our daughter to graduate from here and she is looking forward to the tradition of graduating at the Big House. (Continued…)
Jon
posted 1/08/08 @ 7:33 PM EST
UNACCEPTABLE, entirely. I don't go to Eastern, I go to U of M... my graduation should be at the U of M.
cliff wilson
posted 1/08/08 @ 7:40 PM EST
I think I speak for my entire graduating class when I say that this is a total insult. Thanks for the memories, Michigan. I will certainly remember this when you start passing around the alumni collection plate. (Continued…)
Meg
posted 1/08/08 @ 7:51 PM EST
Not only is it bad enough that we had no say in whether luxury boxes should be built or not, but now because of their construction we can't graduate in the big house?! Graduation day should be one of the happiest and exciting days of our lives and we're now celebrating it at a school we didn't even go to. (Continued…)
Alex
posted 1/08/08 @ 8:17 PM EST
We need to make this injustice known to the alumni. Only by affecting alumni donating will we be able to speak in a language in which the University will truly listen. (Continued…)
Sara
posted 1/08/08 @ 8:43 PM EST
This is completely absurd. How are they going to even fit all the families inside of EMU's stadium? This is absolutely ridiculous and something needs to be done to either compensate all of us students who have worked so hard to graduate at UM (not EMU), or to rectify this situation and host our graduation in the Big House. (Continued…)
Sara
posted 1/08/08 @ 8:44 PM EST
I agree that this needs to be known and we somehow need to come together as a class to let it be known that we didn't make it through the University of Michigan to graduate at someone else's campus. (Continued…)
Timothy Brundage, MD
posted 1/08/08 @ 8:49 PM EST
This must be very painful for the UM seniors. As an alumnus of the University, I think this is NOT acceptable. Please reconsider out of respect for your students who have worked so hard to graduate from the University of Michigan. (Continued…)
nicole
posted 1/08/08 @ 8:59 PM EST
WOW. As part of the graduating senior class of 2008, I am deeply offended by this news. To have spent 4 years and 80,000+ dollars later...to celebrate commencement at Eastern?! Thanks U-M, I'll just wait for my diploma in the mail instead, I don't need a B. (Continued…)
Alex
posted 1/08/08 @ 6:01 PM EST
This is absolutely unacceptable. The University needs to find another venue. I didn't pay over $50,000 in tuition to have my graduation at Eastern.