Hill Auditorium

In this Section:

Hill Auditorium
825 North University Avenue
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Seating

Master’s and Doctoral Degree Recipients

Rackham Graduate Exercises begin with an academic procession from the Rackham Building to Hill Auditorium.

At 8:45 a.m., graduates and candidates gather in the Rackham Auditorium, where faculty marshals and event staff will help them prepare for the procession.

Graduate Schedule for Rackham Graduate Exercises:
  • 8:45 a.m. Assemble at Rackham Auditorium to prepare for procession to Hill Auditorium
  • 9:15 a.m. Instructions announced
  • 9:30 a.m. Procession begins
  • 10:00 a.m. Rackham Graduate Exercises ceremony begins
  • 12:00 p.m. Conclusion of ceremony (approximate)

Master’s Degree Recipients

Take a seat in either the left or right section of Rackham Auditorium. Master’s Degree recipients do not need to sit in any particular order.
Complete the photo card you’ll receive from faculty marshals or staff and take it with you to the ceremony in Hill Auditorium.

Doctoral Degree Recipients

Pick up your name card and a photo card at the Ph.D. table in the Rackham lobby.
Find your numbered seat in the center section of the auditorium. The seat number will be printed on your name card. NB: Doctoral recipients must be in alphabetical order for hooding.
Complete your photo card.
Take both your name card and photo card with you to the ceremony in Hill Auditorium.

Guests

Beginning at 9:15 a.m., guests may enter Hill Auditorium through the front and side lobby doors. All guests should be seated by 9:45 a.m. Since most of the seating on the main floor of Hill Auditorium is reserved for the graduates, family members and other guests should plan to sit in the mezzanine or balcony.

View Hill Auditorium seating chart.

If you have questions or require special accommodation in order to participate in Rackham Graduate Exercises, please contact the Office of University and Development Events at (734) 647-7900 by Friday, April 14, 2023.

Limited Seating

Please note that seating for this ceremony is general admission and tickets are not required, but seating is limited. Early arrival is recommended.
A live stream of the ceremony will be available to watch at the Modern Language Building Auditorium directly behind Hill Auditorium.

Safety

Security guidelines prohibit graduates or guests from bringing food, beverages, large bags, and signs into the auditorium. We ask that you plan accordingly. The following items are prohibited from graduate gathering at Rackham Auditorium and at the ceremony in Hill Auditorium.

Prohibited Items:

  • All bottles (including all types of water bottles)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Aerosol and spray cans
  • Animals (except service animals for persons with a disability)
  • Apparel or signage displaying profane or abusive language
  • Supports for banners and signs (sticks and poles)
  • Any other item that may obstruct or impair the view or enjoyment of another attendee 
  • Megaphones, blowhorns, or any other sound amplification 
  • Containers of any kind (including coolers, thermoses, cups, cans, flasks)
  • Flags and flagpoles
  • Food of any kind
  • Irritants
  • Projectiles (including footballs, Frisbees and beach balls)
  • Strollers
  • Video camera, tripods and selfie sticks
  • Umbrellas
  • Weapons

All bags may be subject to search.
Medical exceptions will be addressed individually at the gates. Those requiring necessary items (e.g., diapers for a baby, medical prescriptions, etc.) are encouraged to carry them into the auditorium in a clear plastic bag.

COVID-19 Precautions:

Effective March 14, 2022, masking will be optional in most indoor spaces on campus including in offices, residence halls and at athletic events. It is expected that all individuals of the U-M community and guests stay home when they are not feeling well (do not attend work, class, gatherings or events) and individuals are expected to continue to use ResponsiBLUE and ResponsiBLUE Guest as a daily symptom checker.

Additionally, neither proof of vaccination nor recent negative test are required for attendance at this event.