UM-Flint commencement moving to Dort Financial Center to welcome more guests

The University of Michigan-Flint is relocating its commencement ceremonies from its Riverfront Conference Center to the Dort Financial Center, a move designed to attract more family and friends eager to celebrate graduates' achievements.

For years, space constraints at the Riverfront Conference Center limited the number of supporters who could attend. That won't be the case going forward.

"We wanted to ensure that graduates felt that they had the opportunity to celebrate commencement with the family and friends who supported them through their educational journey," said Chelsea Duncan, chief of staff in the Office of the Chancellor. "This move to the event center will allow each graduate to bring more guests than we could accommodate on campus."

The Dort Financial Center, located just across town from campus at 3501 Lapeer Road, seats about 4,000 people - compared with fewer than 1,000 at Riverfront. The increased capacity means UM-Flint will no longer ticket the ceremonies or impose guest limits, though Duncan said the venue could comfortably welcome about eight guests per graduate. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

The change was prompted in part by student and faculty feedback. Many had requested a larger venue to host extended families and community supporters. "During our time at Riverfront, students often requested additional seats for guests, which we were unable to accommodate," Duncan said. "Student Government and faculty also requested that we reconsider the venue."

Graduates and their families will notice several other benefits at the new location, including the return of a student processional and graduates seated together on the arena floor for a more traditional commencement experience. The expanded capacity also means fewer ceremonies: one in December and just two in April, down from the previous four.

Some traditions will remain the same, including livestreaming and recording of the event for those who cannot attend in person. Accessibility features such as reserved seating and parking will be available, though attendees requiring mobility devices should bring their own. Parking at the venue will cost $10 per vehicle.

University leaders see the move as a long-term solution to support UM-Flint's growing enrollment. "Commencement is our opportunity to recognize the hard work of our graduates at the culmination of their college careers," Duncan said. "This move allows us to return to an experience that incorporates time-honored commencement traditions that can be witnessed by a greater number of our graduates' family members and friends."

The first UM-Flint commencement at Dort Financial Center will take place Dec. 14.