Students will be a larger focus of this year's ceremony

This year's graduation commencement will not feature a keynote speaker, and the ceremony will focus more on the graduating students than in past years, administrative officials say.

UA President Peter Likins said the change is an experiment to make the commencement more interesting for the graduates and their families.

Patti Ota, senior associate to the president, said administrative officials tracked the length of commencement ceremonies over 10 years and found that ceremonies sometimes lasted up to three hours and also lost focus on the students who were graduating.

Ray Quintero, president of Associated Students of University of Arizona said he, Likins and Ota met at the end of last semester and examined the study.

"It's great to have a speaker, but if it comes to the point that we're not getting a well-known political figure, most students would rather have it shortened," Quintero said.

Ota said that in the past, entertainers and other important figures have asked for up to $10,000 to speak, but the university has never paid for anyone to speak at commencement.

"Money has nothing to do with the decision, absolutely zero percent," she said.

Quintero said some schools recruit high-profile guest speakers simply to gain attention.

Sarah Griggs, director of commencement at the University of Washington, said for their school, commencement speakers are a tradition.

"It's important to bring a perspective to graduates of the outside world," Griggs said.

Griggs said compensation for the guest speaker varies from an honorary degree to full payment.

"I think it would be more honorary and respectful to the graduating class (to have a speaker)," said Melissa Wadley, retail and consumer sciences senior.

Another student said being there was good enough for him.

"I think it's important, but even if they don't have one, it won't deter anyone," said David Goldach, marketing senior. "I'm just happy to be graduating."

Ota said finding the guest speaker is considered as one of the most hated duties of a university president because invitations sent out to prospective speakers are only answered about one-third of the time.

Instead of focusing on bringing in a speaker, Ota said new traditions, like guiding students through the campus before walking into McKale Center, will help make this year's May 11 graduation more appealing.