Oceania Student Celebration
Thursday, May 1, 2025
4:00 - 6:00 pm
SAB, Maize & Blue Room
All undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students who graduated in Fall 2024 or are graduating in Spring 2025, Summer 2025, or Fall 2025 who would like to be recognized as part of the Oceania Student Celebration are invited to register.
Event Information
Thursday, May 1, 2025
4:00 - 6:00 pm
SAB, Maize & Blue Room
Information for Students
You are free to wear whatever clothing you wish.
Some graduates choose to wear something special or less casual, but this event has no dress code.
Doctoral students: Please bring your unattached hoods so that you can be hooded during the ceremony.
Lei can be worn during any part of the ceremony, but most wait until after the graduates' procession to adorn with lei.
If you have not yet registered, plan to arrive promptly at 3:30 pm.
We will faikava at the beginning of the ceremony in preparation for the honouring of the graduates.
During the Ceremony
Professional photographers will be present at the ceremony. During the ceremony, each graduating student will be recognized and honored with a gift, and during this time, family and friends will be called to the front to take a picture with their student.
After Ceremony Celebration
Photo Stations for graduates and guests (polaroid, professional, and selfies) Photobackdrop!
Information for Guests
Doors will open for all guests at 3:45 pm.
This is a non-ticketed event and is open to the public.
Accessibility to Enter the Building:
Ramp Access
The ramp is located at the East entrance (from Maynard).
Elevator Access
Enter the building through the East entrance (from Maynard), go diagonally left, and follow the hallway. Make a right before entering the stairs; the elevator will be on the left.
The address is 500 Thompson St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
Park in spaces without the Gold Permit Sign. U-M Parking Services suspends parking enforcement for commencement ceremonies. Commencement guests may park for free in any unrestricted University parking space (blue, yellow, or orange spaces).
Permitted and Prohibited Items
Guests and Graduates are encouraged to bring ONLY necessary items to the graduation celebrations. All items are subject to search.
Changes in local, regional, and national security levels may affect security procedures at Graduation Celebrations. Exceptions for guests with medical or childcare needs (e.g., medical prescriptions, diapers for a baby, etc.) requiring larger bags than permitted will be addressed individually at the doors. All subjects and items are subject to search.
We appreciate your cooperation with these security measures. Enjoy the celebration!
- Bags, wallets, and clutches no larger than 4” X 6” X 1.5” are permitted
- Binoculars -- CASES are not permitted
- Cell phones and pagers
- Cloth flags that are not on poles or sticks
- Small cameras (those with a lens shorter than 6 inches)
- Blankets and rain apparel -- UMBRELLAS are not permitted
- Walking canes/Walkers
- Strollers
- All bottles (including all types of water bottles)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Aerosol and spray cans
- Animals (except service animals for persons with a disability)
- Apparel displaying profane or abusive language
- All signage/posters
- Bags, purses, and clutches larger than 4" x 6" x 1.5"
- Containers of any kind (including coolers, thermoses, cups, cans, flasks)
- Flags and flagpoles
- Food of any kind
- Irritants
- Projectiles of any kind
- Seat cushions of any kind
- Video cameras, tripods, and selfie sticks
- Umbrellas
- Weapons
- Any other item that may obstruct or impair the view or enjoyment of another attendee
History
The annual Oceania Student Celebration is designed to uplift and highlight the accomplishments of graduating Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Pacific Islander students. Before the development of the OSGC, NH/PI graduating students participated in the Asian and Pacific Islander Student Celebration. The Oceania Student Association has advocated, alongside the department of A/PIA and Native Studies, to shift away from the US politically assigned identity of AA&PI and towards NH/PI identities as indigenous peoples. Recognizing the culture of NH/PI graduating students, the 2025 Oceania Student Celebration will be the first Pasifika-centred graduation celebration at the University of Michigan. NH/PI graduating students will be honored with a celebration, allowing space for appropriate ceremony and commemoration of shared practices in a Pasifika-centred environment. The Oceania Student Celebration Student Committee plans this annual celebration to honor students of Native Hawaiian and Indigenous Pacific Islander heritage here at the University of Michigan.
Mission
The Oceania Student Celebration celebrates the shared connections of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students at the University of Michigan. The ceremony acknowledges the value and uniqueness of the Pasifika experience and serves to commemorate the accomplishments of those students who participate in the celebration. It also recognizes faculty and staff who provide academic enrichment, research opportunities, programs, and activities that promote Pacific wellness to help students thrive. The Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, in partnership with the Oceania Student Planning Committee, institutes this annual celebration as a reflection of the university’s commitment to diversity.
