University of Michigan spring commencement time changed due to extra security for President Barack Obama's visit

President Barack Obama will deliver the spring commencement address. Photo by the Associated Press

The move to an 11 a.m. start time will allow time for participants to make their way through extra security that will be in place at Michigan Stadium.

"We want students and their guests to have plenty of time to comfortably make it to campus and through security at the stadium, so that they can enjoy this historic event honoring the achievements of our 2010 graduates," U-M President Mary Sue Coleman said in a written statement.

Obama will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree and deliver the commencement address, which the university announced in February. The bump in event time was done after talks occurred between campus event planners and the White House.

More details have come to light about the visit:

Stadium gates will open at 6 a.m., and graduates, their families and friends are encouraged to get there early to allow enough time to park, shuttle or walk to the stadium.

University officials said in a press release today that more information is forthcoming regarding where to park and enter the stadium, as well as what items are permissible. University leaders are working with the president's staff to finalize those details, which will be posted on the commencement Web site: www.umich.edu/~gradinfo.

Further details about commencement will be posted in early April.

Juliana Keeping covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter