Commencement changes a good idea

4/10/13 7:00pm

 

The Thresher believes the proposed splitting of the commencement ceremony across two days would be a beneficial change (see story p. 1). The current format of the ceremony, which spans 2 1/2 hours on a Saturday morning, consists of the commencement speaker address, conferral of degrees, reading of the names of all graduating undergraduate and graduate students, and the student procession out of the Sallyport. We agree with the Marshals Commencement Committee that combining the reading of the names of graduating seniors with the senior award ceremony into one Friday night ceremony reinforces Rice's characteristic focus on and commitment to undergraduates. The change would also retain the importance of the Saturday commencement ceremony while shortening the amount of time that students, families and friends must spend out under the hot sun that morning by over an hour. In addition, the change would allow for the opportunity for an undergraduate student speaker to present at the Friday night ceremony. For such an undergraduate-focused institution, a ceremony geared toward the graduating seniors featuring an undergraduate speaker would be a welcome addition to the commencement rituals. 

---

---

---