Deans support cancelling university-wide ceremony for December undergrads

While some UA students and alumni say they are upset over changes in graduation ceremonies, many college deans say they support the administration's decision.

University officials announced over the weekend that the university-wide commencement ceremony in December will only be for Ph.D and graduate students, and undergraduates will attend only individual college convocations.

Although the administration said the Commencement Policy Committee made changes at the request of college deans, student body president Alistair Chapman sat on the committee and said the tortilla-throwing problem at graduation was a motivating factor in the changes.

Undergraduates and UA alumni said they are disappointed with the decision, and Chapman said he has been receiving phone calls and e-mails from angry parents and students.

"The reaction was as I expected. They have a right to be upset," Chapman said. "Students never had a chance to express their concerns."

Chapman said there has been a negative feeling on campus regarding the changes.

"It's going to feel weird and not as ceremonious as it should for those of us who are graduating," said Jennifer Fowler, a public administration and criminal justice senior.

Chris Marino, a political science senior who is graduating in December, said he is angry because he has been looking forward to the graduation ceremony and is considering starting a petition against the change.

"I've spent thousands and thousands of dollars and I wanted a graduation ceremony," said Marino. "What are they going to start cutting next?"

Sandy Ruhl, president of the UA Alumni Association, said the Alumni Association supports a university-wide commencement that involves all graduating students.

"There is no single ceremony that more effectively symbolizes success as a part of a large and diverse community of scholars ... (than) an individual's university commencement celebration," the Alumni Association wrote in a letter to President Likins, urging him to continue a university-wide commencement.

But Tom Peterson, dean of the College of Engineering, said he is willing to work with the university to make graduation a better experience for students.

"The first priority is a respectful and memorable event honoring our graduates," said Peterson.

I've spent thousands and thousands of dollars and I wanted a graduation ceremony. What are they going to start cutting next? - Chris Marino, political science senior

Toni Massaro, College of Law dean, said law graduates want their achievement marked by "elegance, serious reflection and appreciation of their academic achievements."

"There is no raucous behavior, though there is laughter, applause," at the College of Law convocation, Massaro said. "Finishing law school is not easy. We honor that accomplishment in a ceremony that is professional, because we feel they have earned that."

Under the new graduation arrangement, students from the College of Law, like undergraduates, will only attend their college commencement, and will not attend the university-wide graduation.

But Gloria Colchado, a senior majoring in English education, said undergraduates also deserve a meaningful graduation.

"It's amazing-at commencement you get to stand up and represent your school," said Colchado. "You walk out, there are so many people, so much excitement."

Still, Colchado said she recognizes that the tortilla-tossing tradition is a problem. When she went to a graduation a few years ago, President Likins got hit in the face by a flying tortilla while he was speaking.

However, Colchado said there are other ways to solve the problem than by abolishing a university-wide commencement for undergraduates.

"Everybody should be able to go to graduation," said Carley Preston, a theater production senior. "All your friends who are not in the same college as you (will be) at that."

Tori Kim, a chemistry senior, said although faculty members think the tortilla throwing is "foolish," she believes graduates should be free to celebrate how they wish.

College deans pointed out that they do not anticipate much will change for the college convocation ceremonies this December.

Edward Donn-erstein, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, said the SBS convocation in the past has been "excellent" since each student is individually recognized and involved with the ceremony.

Ronald Marx, dean of the College of Education, said the College of Education convocation is similar to the university commencement, although they do not invite an off-campus guest speaker.

"We ask a faculty member who has recently won an important award to speak," Marx said. "I am sure that we can get important speakers to give talks at the ceremonies."

Nonetheless, students and alumni said they are unhappy with the changes.

"Since when did the commencement ceremony become a ceremony for deans and not a ceremony for students?" asked Chapman.

Ovette Chapman, a spring 2004 graduate in psychology, said that he enjoyed the university commencement because he was among friends from different colleges.

"It's sad to hear the changes," he said. "I think that people who are undergraduates will be missing out on something."