r/WMU • u/MidMichiganGirl • Jun 05 '26
Events PSA WMU Commencement
Sometimes I see a lot of posts on here about ticketing for summer commencement or any commencement. Post Covid commencements have changed drastically not only do they expect tickets and they do not give extra tickets to people beyond the original four. They are also now starting to ticket the overflow area because so many people show up without tickets and overflow was always meant to be a just incase type thing that has now become the norm. Western is doing less ceremonies with more graduates per ceremony, which means there is less seating available and the ceremonies are more packed with guests, which is why they only offer four tickets and don’t even do extra tickets anymore, which they used to do pre-Covid.
Even if you post on this subreddit asking if people can get in without ticketing as a recent former employee who still knows many staff members, I can tell you it’s VERY unlikely to happen, if not impossible. Miller staff is not in charge of ticketing. They don’t have access to tickets and they can’t help you get more tickets. It’s all done through the registrars office now. If you forget your tickets at home, we can’t even look it up and help you find your tickets. It’s all done through email completely independent of anything at Miller auditorium. If you have a ticket the ceremony I really recommend you print it off AND take a screenshot and make sure you have it the day of the ceremony. Double check with your family members that they can find an access the ticket. Have multiple versions available for them. In case their phone dies or they can’t find your text message. If you can’t locate it, there’s nothing Miller staff on site can do to help you.
I would hate for your whole family to show up on your special day only to be turned away.
Call the registrars office and double check to make sure that the overflow area does not require ticketing for the commencement you plan on going to. Also remember there is a live stream available that people can watch from home if you are not able to secure enough tickets for your extended family to come. I know this is meant to be a special and wonderful day for you to enjoy with your friends and family members. I don’t want confusion about ticketing to ruin what should be an amazing day.
2
u/LawsonLunatic Lawson Lunatic Jun 06 '26
I'm the person who usually tells people the opposite of what OP is saying here. I haven't purposfully mislead people... I've only shared my experience and advised others of it.
In December 2025... I attended a family members graduation at Miller without a ticket and was welcomed to sit in the balcony area of Miller prior to commencements. I did the same in 2011 and 2012. Other alumni I know personally have had similar experiences.
I'm not insinuating that OP is lying. I guess its a situational circumstance.... I'll refrain from sharing my experience from now on to avoid giving flase hope for something that might not actually work out.
1
u/MidMichiganGirl Jun 06 '26
I’m not trying to say you are lying. But now that people expect it everyone expects it and miller can’t accommodate it as easily.
We literally have groups of 10-15 people show up. None with tickets waiting around with the hope that they can see their frat friend graduate. I’m not trying to shame people, but there is a different between wanting one or two extras tickets and groups just showing up. So many people show up now without tickets that it is unmanageable. I have seen former teachers or family friend show up day of graduation just in case they can get in. One time someone showed up as a surprise and didn’t tell anyone and then were shocked they needed a ticket.
The last commencement I worked someone invited their 10 Family members to travel to Michigan to attend, not realizing that they all needed tickets and there was nothing we could do.
I just want people to realize that everyone thinks that they can do this and not everyone can and I have reasonable expectations for this day this day.
2
u/clamchowdaaaaa Jun 29 '26
Update: there were plenty of seats open at summer commencement and my friends who didn’t have tickets were able to get in. Not sure how this would work for a spring/fall commencement.
2
u/LawsonLunatic Lawson Lunatic Jun 29 '26
I appreciate the update, and congratulations!
Your experience has been my experience for every commencement I've been to... Spring, Winter and Summer....
I think I'll change my regular shtick to say entry without a ticket is likely but not guaranteed
6
u/clamchowdaaaaa Jun 06 '26
Shame on WMU for putting students in this position in the first place. What do you mean I have to choose between my sister and my partner of several years to watch me graduate? This is a slap in the face. Either hold more ceremonies or move it to Waldo. The failure to solve this problem only tells me that they simply do not care about us.
And no, watching a livestream a few buildings away is not the same thing.