Leebron announces commencement changes

By Anita Alem     1/13/14 6:00pm

Future Saturday morning commencement ceremonies have been shortened and will no longer include the individual naming of degree recipients. Instead, each degree-level will have a smaller ceremony the day before, at which degree recipients will be named, according to an email from President David Leebron on Jan. 10.

The invited commencement speaker, full academic procession, conferral of degrees and walk through the Sallyport will remain on Saturday. The bachelor's degree ceremony will take place Friday evening in the Academic Quad and will recognize award winners and include speeches by members of the graduating class and by a faculty member, according to the email.

"What's been true of the Rice commencement is that it has been a wonderful tradition, but as we've grown and the length of the ceremony with it, we've lost some of the enthusiasm and joy, and that's what we need to focus on, in my view," Leebron said. "We want people to enjoy the moment a little more."

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Traditionally, there had been one ceremony for doctoral hooding Friday afternoon and a separate ceremony Saturday morning at which speakers present, and both undergraduates and graduates were called by name to walk across the stage. Leebron said that over the past few years, the undergraduate and graduate bodies have grown steadily, and as a result, the ceremony has lengthened as well. The weather has also been a challenge, as the heat can get intense and the rain plans involve fitting thousands of people inside Tudor Fieldhouse.

"I would never describe [commencement] as a disaster the way it is, but I actually think it could be a more memorable, exciting experience for students and their families," Leebron said. "Nobody really likes sitting uncomfortably for three hours. [The new ceremonies] will [also provide] opportunities for student speakers, which we didn't have before."

According to Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Paula Sanders, three committees were formed to address different aspects of the changes to the commencement ceremony. A committee co-chaired by Sanders and Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson created the schedule and new ceremonies for commencement with the help of Chief Marshal Keith Cooper, who was in charge of logistics. 

"This committee included the presidents of the undergraduate and graduate student associations, one of the masters and a couple of additional students in leadership positions," Sanders said. 

A second committee headed by Hutchinson and consisting of undergraduate students is planning a new undergraduate ceremony. The third committee, chaired by Sanders and consisting of students from several different master's degree programs, is planning the new master's degree ceremony.

Sid Richardson College senior Michael Lam was not a part of any committees, but will be experiencing this new commencement ceremony.

"It's great that they are personalizing the event for undergraduates, but the issue would be the date and time," Lam said. "Having it at night, no matter the proposed lighting conditions, can be an issue for post-graduation events like photos. Also, some family relatives may not be able to make it on time since [it's] technically on a workday with potential flight complications on Friday."

"Undoubtedly, there are some risks, but we'll have to see how it works." Leebron said. "My guess is [commencement] will continue to evolve over time."

Brown College Senior Shaurya Agarwal said he thinks the changes are a definite move in the right direction. 

"I think  the resasoning behind it is a good compromise," Agarwal said. "Obviously they have to work out a few things, but everyon'es biggest complaint [about the old ceremony] was that it was too long and too hot, and [the changes] will help solve that. It's nice that the university considered student input and what everyone didn't like about the previous ceremonies."  

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