Eastern Michigan University's 2026 Winter Commencement is set to take place May 2, 2026, the Saturday after finals wrap up for the semester. Here is everything that graduates and guests need to know.
Ceremony
The commencement will take place in two parts, divided between EMU's six different colleges. Students graduating from the College of Business, GameAbove College of Engineering, and the College of Health and Human Services will attend the ceremony held at 9:30 a.m., with doors opening at 8 a.m.
Students graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, and the Individualized Studies Program will attend the 1:30 p.m. ceremony, with doors opening at noon.
The commencement website encourages graduates and guests to arrive to the ceremony early. Both commencements will be held at the George Gervin GameAbove Center at 799 N. Hewitt Road, Ypsilanti.
For those whose guests cannot attend in person, a livestream of both ceremonies will be available on EMU's YouTube Channel and the commencement website homepage.
Free parking for those attending will be available in the George Gervin GameAbove Center lot, the Rynearson Stadium lot, and east of the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Parking locations are subject to change due to weather conditions. Specific driving instructions can be found on EMU's website.
"The ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours," the commencement website says.
Ticketing
Graduating students will be able to claim their tickets starting April 20, 2026. Each student is allotted four tickets each; however, students can claim additional tickets for free by contacting the ticketing office at emu_tix@emich.edu or 734-487-3669.
Those graduating must also claim a student ticket to attend the ceremony. Both student and guest tickets must be claimed by graduates only. Those attending as guests may not claim a ticket.
All seating is general admission. Those with accessibility concerns must contact the EMU ticketing office prior to the ceremony.
Safety policies
Prior to entering, all attendees will be required to step through a metal detector. During the screening, attendees will place all items on their person in a tray.
Bags will not be permitted inside the arena unless they are clutch bags no larger than 4 by 6 inches, clear bags no larger than 12 by 6 inches with one side completely see-through, or one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags. Exceptions also include diaper bags, medically necessary items, child carriers and small camera bags. All bags will be subject to inspection prior to entrance into the arena.
Media staff with permission may bring equipment into the arena; however, all bags will be checked prior to entry.
The full list of prohibited items is available on the commencement website under the Health and Safety Protocols tab.
Regalia
All EMU graduates participating in the commencement ceremony are required to wear EMU-approved regalia. Undergraduate and graduate regalia can be purchased in person at the Eastern Outfitters store, located in the Student Center, or online through the store's website.
Undergraduates graduating with honors can pick up their free golden tassels at the Service EMU desk, located on the second floor of the Student Center and open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Non-honors students can purchase their tassels at the Eastern Outfitters store.
Name reader cards will be provided at the ceremony for non-honors students. Those graduating with honors can pick up their cards,along with their tassels, at the Service EMU desk.
Those graduating with master's and doctorate degrees are required to wear a supplemental hood with their cap and gown. Instructions on how to wear each piece can be found on EMU's website.
Those with further questions can contact the Commencement Office at emu_commencement@emich.edu for more information.
