Graduation location moved, mixed reactions
By Kaleh Sampson
Layout Editor
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| Photo by Kayloni Wyatt |
| The undergraduate commencement ceremony will be held on the Quad, instead of the football field, on May 7 at 9 a.m. |
Many changes are in place for the 2011 spring commencement, including a new time and location for undergraduates and a separate ceremony for graduate students.
The undergraduate commencement ceremony will be held on the Quad, instead of the football field, on May 7 at 9 a.m. Graduate students will be commencing on May 6 at 7 p.m. in the Given Performing Arts Center.
According to Dr. Glen Burnette, special assistant to the Chancellor, the commencement committee has been looking for an alternative commencement site at the request of Chancellor Kyle R. Carter. According to Chancellor Carter, the intention for holding the ceremony in a new location is to make the experience special.
However, some students disagree with the decision.
"The graduating class of 2011 came to UNCP as the first freshman class who had an active football team," Kathryn Monroe, a member of Kappa Delta and the chief of staff for student government said. "The football team is an important part of the UNCP experience. It put us on the map. By not commencing on the football field, we are ignoring something so huge that brought so many students to Pembroke."
Monroe is also a Mass Communication major graduating in May.
"Graduation is an academic experience, not an athletic experience," Dr. Carter said.
Commencements held on the football field are uncomfortable and hot, according to Dr. Carter. The Quad is a shaded area that will help with the heat and, hopefully, reduce the risk of sunstroke and disruptions during the ceremony. The event will also start an hour earlier than in years past to help with the heat.
Disadvantages
Although the event may
be well shaded, the ceremony
might still include
other disruptions. It has not
yet been confirmed that the
trains that normally run
throughout the day will be
passing during the scheduled
hours of commencement.
According to Dr.
Carter and Dr. Burnette, the
commencement committee
has contacted CSX and requested
to have the train
stopped, or at least slowed,
on graduation day.
If CSX is not able to change the train schedule then, according to Dr. Burnette, commencement will stop until trains pass. This information will be included in the programs to inform family and guests attending the event.
Guests are not guaranteed to have a clear view during the ceremony as well. Seats will be placed around the 50 trees that are located in the Quad. According the Dr. Burnette, no plans have been made to cut down trees f or the event.
"Administration plans to go around the trees," Dr. Burnette said.
In addition to the new location and time, there will not be a special speaker for the spring undergraduate commencement ceremony. Instead, the Chancellor will extend his comments to shorten the length of commencement.
Budget According Dr. Carter, the expenses for holding commencement on the Quad versus the football field are relatively the same. The graduation budget is sufficient to cover the extra costs, if any, of holding the ceremony on the Quad.
An outside source has been hired to provide a stage and seating for 5,000 people, which include graduates, faculty, platform party and guests. According to Dr. Burnette, an outside source is always used for undergraduate commencement.
Planning Many details surrounding the ceremony are still in the planning process. The committee is considering allowing graduates to sit with their friends within their departments instead of in alphabetical order. The committee is also still discussing how to block off the commencement site as well as looking into a having child friendly area.
"Graduation is about making memories," Dr. Carter said.
"I understand why administration wants to have graduation on the Quad because of the scenery, but family and friends come to to see their graduate walk across the stage," Sandra Hayes, a special education major graduating in May, said. "It's going to be difficult for the audience to see. It's just not the best place to hold graduation."
Gates will open at 7:30 a.m. for guests. All parking lots will be available for graduates and guests on a first come first served basis. Lot 3 will be reserved for handicap parking.
