Faculty pushing for changes in commencement format

Administrators have not yet determined what, if any, changes will be made to the upcoming 2004 graduation ceremony. But the administration is considering a proposal to split commencement ceremonies into two parts in order to alleviate concerns that they are impersonal and long.

Students from Liberal Arts, Engineering, Special Studies, along with Arts and Sciences graduate students receive their diplomas in one lengthy ceremony. Reading the over 1,500 names often took upwards of two hours.

Professor James Glaser, recently named Dean of Undergraduate Education, is serving on the committee looking at possible changes in the commencement ceremony format.

"Lots of people are milling around, very few people stay in their seats, and it doesn't make for a very meaningful moment," Glaser commented on the current system. He likened previous ceremonies to "assembly lines" of students receiving diplomas.

The first phase of the proposed ceremony will be attended by all undergraduate and graduate students. All students will see the academic procession -- in which honorary degrees are awarded -- the keynote speech, and the president's address. The second phase calls for the reading of names and presentation of diplomas to take place in smaller, more personal settings, organized by department.

Graduates of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy will continue to attend the first phase of the ceremonies on the Medford/Somerville campus before breaking off for a separate ceremony.

In addition to simply reading names, Glaser added that the department heads could "provide meaningful information... such as people who provided special services to the department, people who have written honors theses, or people who have won departmental awards."

The new format will reduce the amount of time that graduates and their families spend waiting around "from two hours to more like 20 or 30 minutes," Glaser said.

Glaser and his committee seem to have the overwhelming support of the administration and many department heads.

"The plans for graduation would make it possible for faculty members to interact with graduates and their families," said Political Science Chair Vickie Sullivan. Sullivan also said that, if the changes were to go into effect, members of her department would "look forward to giving graduates and their families a warmer, more personal farewell."

Math Chair Christoph Borgers agreed the changes would "certainly be a good thing," as "the ceremony, as it has been, has had problems."

Some departments would be combined because of size and logistical reasons. Geology Chair Anne Gardulski said that "too small of a group would be awkward."

Glaser insisted the committee would look closely at potential arrangements of departments to reach an appropriate balance.

Biology Chair Harry Bernheim raised an additional concern that students "would be forced to choose between two different venues if they are majoring in two different subjects."

Students have also expressed concern "There are drawbacks to both...if you split it up, you don't get to see your friends graduate, and they don't get to see you. But if we were all to graduate together, we would have to sit through a very long ceremony," said freshman Adam Thayer.

Glaser was quick to point out that the potential changes are far from being established. The committee is in their planning stage and not ready to issue a formal statement about this year's ceremony, which will be held on May 23, 2004.