Fall graduation is just around the corner for some students at LSU. Ceremonies will celebrate students’ accomplishments at LSU. Graduation also is a time when you recognize that you have been part of something great at this University. However, the fall graduation arrangement is somewhat problematic and not representative of what students have grown to know. It’s too late for this semester’s graduates, but maybe things could change for future fall graduates.
LSU’s fall graduates participated in a December university-wide commencement ceremony featuring a guest speaker at the PMAC. Ceremony planners began to question this practice when the Commencement Committee approved a resolution to remove the university-wide graduation.
A revised version of the resolution eliminated the large ceremony, stating attendance decreased in recent years. Smaller diploma ceremonies had high attendance and were well received, according to the resolution. By having only the smaller diploma ceremony in the fall, the May university-wide commencement is enhanced.
This is great for the spring graduates, but what about the fall graduates and their family and friends? I don’t believe the fall graduates are getting a fair deal.
People who are friends with more than one graduate run into problems. Unless the people they know have the same major, attending their graduation is impossible.
LSU spreads each diploma ceremony to different locations for each major. Some graduate in the Rec Center, some at the PMAC, some in the bathroom in Coates Hall, etc.
Last semester, I had two friends who graduated in the fall. Although I wanted to attend their ceremonies, I couldn’t because they were at the same time in different places. So I slept through half the day instead of attending their ceremonies. I imagine this is a problem for families and friends of graduates.
Another problem is that many don’t get to graduate with their friends. You only graduate with people in your major. Most people have good friends in their own concentration, but does that mean they should be separated from other friends?
This leads into what I think is the biggest problem for fall graduates — little diversity at each ceremony. The ceremony has its share of different people, but having a university-wide commencement makes you feel you’re graduating from college. College is where you go to improve your academic skills and a place where you learn from one another. You learn the ways of others and learn to respect their ideas and beliefs. You learn more than just your major’s curriculum.
The old ceremony honored everyone in a particular major by having them stand up together. Each person’s name was not called in the ceremony. It was more of a group achievement. When you think about it, it’s kind of appropriate. You learn more at LSU from those around you than your own academic achievements. I think LSU should go back to having the large ceremony no matter what the attendance is compared to other years. You should feel as if you were a part of something special when you graduate from LSU. You should feel that unity you have come appreciate.
It’s nice to have your name called at a diploma ceremony, but the ceremony is not representative of what you grow to love about LSU. You grow to love the diversity of the people at LSU. When they’re not present, something is missing.