Guidelines For Journalists

Commencement

• MSU holds universitywide commencement activities twice each year: in early May and in early December. May ceremonies include a campuswide convocation, which includes a major speaker; a graduate degree ceremony; and individual college ceremonies at which baccalaureate degrees are conferred. December ceremonies include two large commencement exercises -- one in the morning, one in the afternoon -- for the conferral of baccalaureate degrees, plus a graduate degree ceremony. All are open to media.
• Reporters and photographers must show identification from their news organization to gain access to media platforms at commencement and convocation.
• Major speakers for commencement typically are announced by the university several weeks before the ceremony.
• Occasionally, special credentials may be required to cover commencement activities. Media will be informed ahead of time if that it the case.
• Photographers who wish to take photos from the floor of the Breslin Center during commencement and convocation ceremonies must be escorted from the media platform by MSU staff designated to help them. Occasionally, speakers may request all media remain on media platforms.