2008 Woodie Awards
Commencement Move Angers Students
Holly Rothbard
Issue date: 9/26/08 Section: News
Colgate is a school that makes a big deal out of its traditions. They are enumerated and emphasized in the earliest mailings received by prospective students. This year, however, one of these highlighted Colgate traditions will cease: having the Commencement ceremony next to Taylor Lake. The class of 2009 will begin the new tradition of holding Commencement in the Sanford Field House.
Colgate began the outdoor Commencement in 1955 when the previous location of the chapel was outgrown due to expanding class size. The following years held sporadic and irregular patterns of sunshine, extreme heat, rain, sleet and even snow. According to President of the University and Professor of Philosophy and Religion Rebecca Chopp, the past three years have been characterized by rain, wind and cold. While Colgate students may be used to such weather after living in the Chenango Valley for four years, they most likely haven't sat in it for four straight hours, nor have their families. The letters of complaint received by the President kept on adding up; they weren't only from students who were disappointed that their school had subjected their families to such uncomfortable conditions, but also from the family members themselves.
"It got to the point where we felt horrible that we were making people sit through such weather," Chopp said. The Colgate administration decided over the summer that it was time to move Commencement indoors in order to protect and respect the participants and audience.
"What we hope all students will eventually realize is that graduation is not so much about the setting as it is the people around you, the smiling faces you see as you walk across the stage, the cheers you hear when your name is called," Secretary of the College and Secretary to the Board of Trustees Kim Waldron said.
The senior class was notified of the new commencement location on September 16 by the 2009 Class President, senior Christopher Nulty. Nulty, along with seniors Samantha Gillis and Jaclyn Berger, is a class council member who volunteered to work with the administration on relaying the news to their class. They are also in the process of planning new events for Graduation Weekend that would be outdoors in order to still have Colgate's campus be a part of the event. The decision and resulting announcement has led to an uproar from not only the senior class, but also a large part of the entire student body. A Facebook group protesting the move indoors already has nearly 550 members and is growing each day. Senior Brian Solis started the group and in its description emphatically states that the administration's decision is a "travesty."
Colgate began the outdoor Commencement in 1955 when the previous location of the chapel was outgrown due to expanding class size. The following years held sporadic and irregular patterns of sunshine, extreme heat, rain, sleet and even snow. According to President of the University and Professor of Philosophy and Religion Rebecca Chopp, the past three years have been characterized by rain, wind and cold. While Colgate students may be used to such weather after living in the Chenango Valley for four years, they most likely haven't sat in it for four straight hours, nor have their families. The letters of complaint received by the President kept on adding up; they weren't only from students who were disappointed that their school had subjected their families to such uncomfortable conditions, but also from the family members themselves.
"It got to the point where we felt horrible that we were making people sit through such weather," Chopp said. The Colgate administration decided over the summer that it was time to move Commencement indoors in order to protect and respect the participants and audience.
"What we hope all students will eventually realize is that graduation is not so much about the setting as it is the people around you, the smiling faces you see as you walk across the stage, the cheers you hear when your name is called," Secretary of the College and Secretary to the Board of Trustees Kim Waldron said.
The senior class was notified of the new commencement location on September 16 by the 2009 Class President, senior Christopher Nulty. Nulty, along with seniors Samantha Gillis and Jaclyn Berger, is a class council member who volunteered to work with the administration on relaying the news to their class. They are also in the process of planning new events for Graduation Weekend that would be outdoors in order to still have Colgate's campus be a part of the event. The decision and resulting announcement has led to an uproar from not only the senior class, but also a large part of the entire student body. A Facebook group protesting the move indoors already has nearly 550 members and is growing each day. Senior Brian Solis started the group and in its description emphatically states that the administration's decision is a "travesty."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Joseph Bogdanich
posted 9/28/08 @ 12:15 PM EST
Re: Commencement Move Angers Students
I have read your story and as a parent planning to attend this year's commencement ceremonies, I am very pleased to read that the University intends to have the ceremonies indoors. (Continued…)
Scott
posted 10/01/08 @ 7:15 AM EST
I've had the opportunity to work every graduation since 2002, and when the weather cooperates, it's a wonderful event to behold. Moms are walking around in high heels and beautiful summer dresses, Dads are wearing their suit and ties, both beaming proudly of what their son or daughter has accomplished. (Continued…)
David Aldrich
posted 10/04/08 @ 11:32 AM EST
As a former colgate student I find this decision a travesty. Limiting the number of people who can come, making this decisions without consulting the student body, and making such a polarizing decision without presenting the alumni and students and families with options and alternatives is indicative of the absolute ignorance of the current administration. (Continued…)
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