Is a commencement deferred a commencement denied? A GSU students thinks so.
Under a new policy, GSU students who graduate in December will have to wait until May for their commencement ceremony. Here is the May, 2010, GSU commencement at the Dome. (Hyosub Shin / hshin@ajc.com)
I received this letter from GSU student Kiana Nicholas, a film/video and journalism/public relations double major. Proving that she has learned something about effective PR, Kiana is taking her disagreement with Georgia State University to the public square. (She is president of the Public Relations Student Society of America. )
Her issue: She will graduate in the fall, and Georgia State has decided against a college-wide commencement ceremony for students graduating mid-year. Instead, fall 2012 graduates will have to wait and walk with spring 2013 grads in a joint ceremony. (Students will still graduate; it is the commencement that is delayed.)
A Georgia State spokeswoman told me this morning that the university’s goal was to raise the profile and fanfare of the spring event. The school is also hamstrung because it has no facility large enough for a commencement crowd so it had been forced to secure massive venues for ceremonies twice a year, not an easy task in downtown Atlanta.
The official statement from GSU is:
The decision to go to one commencement ceremony was given significant consideration. It is our sincere hope that the plan will make our spring commencement an even bigger and more exciting affair. Our commencement office is currently reaching out to students who will be affected by the change and offering them alternative solutions.
Degrees will continue to be conferred three times during an academic year. The academic colleges hold individual convocations prior to the end of a term for their degree candidates, which most students prefer to attend. The college ceremonies are more personalized and intimate, with students celebrating with other students in their academic discipline and with faculty and staff from their college.
As someone who didn’t attend her college or grad school commencements, I am probably in the minority here. I have little enthusiasm for the pomp and circumstance of stadium-size gatherings. This decision would not faze me. But I know that many graduates love the commencement extravaganza and invite dozens of relatives.
Is it fair to ask GSU grads to wait five months since many of them may be elsewhere by then and miss the big event?
Here is Kiana’s letter:
Did you hear that Georgia State University has cancelled its fall commencement ceremonies? This has left thousands of future fall graduates like me without a proper graduation ceremony celebrating his or her four years of success. And how did students find out: a message on the commencement website and a story by WSB-TV.
Students, parents and even alumni cannot believe it and are outraged by the university’s decision and secrecy. According to WSB-TV, university officials refused to comment fully, only saying that the decision was because of the difficulty of scheduling a ceremony around the Falcons football schedule at the dome (and the subsequent $500,000 price tag). But aren’t the fall ceremonies held on Wednesdays?
And isn’t Atlanta filled with alternative, less expensive venues? Even the GSU Sports Arena can hold 3,500 plus in the stands and even more when you count the floor (which I read in an AJC article)!
After four years or more of paying almost $8,000 a semester in tuition, housing, fees and more, students are absolutely entitled to a graduation ceremony and should not be forced to wait five months to walk. Do you know where you will be five months from now?
Students can easily be out-of-state or even the country (just ask the international students). Besides providing a quality education, a commencement ceremony should be at the top of any university’s priority list. Just ask UGA, Georgia Tech and any other Georgia university which offers Fall, Spring and even Summer commencement ceremonies.
With over 33,000 students attending Georgia State University, it is hard to imagine having one commencement. The university says that students can go to the individual college convocation instead. There is no comparison between the two. One is small, not as formal and not as memorable. The other brings together all students, faculty, alumni and university to celebrate years of hard work and accomplishment. All students want is a commencement where the president and university leaders stand on the stage, look at each student in his or her cap and gown, and say “thank you” and “congratulations for all your hard work and success.”
This is especially true for Fall 2012 graduates. When we entered school in 2008-09, it was right before the economic downturn and the recession that rocked this nation to its core. Throughout the years, fall 2012 graduates saw parents lose their jobs, tuition and fees increase and fewer courses offered. We even saw friends drop out left and right due to the financial hardship.
However, we did not waver. We continued with our education and are less than a year away from earning our degrees. Instead of looking forward to receiving our diplomas and celebrating our accomplishments, our university informs us that we will not have a commencement; that the university will not bring all graduates together and recognize our achievements.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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117 comments Add your comment
Mahopinion
January 27th, 2012
12:50 pm
I understand a need to save money by having one “big” ceremony. However, it’s unfair to ask students to travel back 5 months after they have completed their degrees to do this. Jobs and real life take priority.
Personally, I wouldn’t want to it through a graduation of that many students. The ceremony takes long enough as is when divided in 2.
mountain man
January 27th, 2012
1:02 pm
They should just do away with all commencement ceremonies, then, “to save money”.
Warrior Woman
January 27th, 2012
1:04 pm
It is ridiculous to have a single ceremony, and absolutely unfair to the students. Perhaps fall graduates should get their activity fees waived, since the university is not providing them with the same services the spring graduates get. The university also handled communication around this very poorly.
Yankee Prof
January 27th, 2012
1:06 pm
First off, congratulations to Ms. Nicholas on achieving her goal and my sincere wishes that she gets to celebrate her achievement at the spring commencement.
The unfortunate fact is that colleges and universities have been asked to cut, cut, and cut some more in the face of diminishing yearly budget appropriations. Commencements are expensive, and multiple commencement ceremonies become expendible as budgets continue to shrink. Relatedly, some schools, I know, are switching from Saturday to Friday commencements to better manage expenses, an inconvenience to working families but, again, a necessary means of trimming costs without diminishing services. These may not be popular cuts, but they are responsible ones.
Ole Guy
January 27th, 2012
1:10 pm
Believe it or not, the sky will not burst into flame upon the graduate’s not having attended commencement. It may…understandably…seem like a big deal (and it most-certainly is). X years from now, probably sooner, it won’t mean a damn thing.
My first graduation ceremony was an event to remember, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to attend, however, due to “oh well” events, my Masters and MBA diplomas were mailed to me. While, at the time, It kinda pissed me off, I can honestly reflect that, over the span of my careers, it really didn’t matter.
I got over it, Kiana, and so will you. Remember, the important thing is…YOU DID IT! Good luck in your future.
NS Alum
January 27th, 2012
1:10 pm
This is ridiculous. As a GSU graduate, all of the individual schools and disciplines don’t necessarily offer their own ceremonies for various reasons. I think that is unfair to students who work hard to graduate and want all of the celebratory traditions.
Beverly Fraud
January 27th, 2012
1:19 pm
Why not just have a ceremony once a decade, so it can be a “really big deal.”
EPIC fail.
Bro
January 27th, 2012
1:20 pm
Promises offered by institutions and businesses are just like leaves in the wind. No one knows which way they will go or where they will land. GSU sucks at public relations and does not care about their students -only the money counts.
Good Mom
January 27th, 2012
1:21 pm
I agree with the student (and kudos to her for capturing the attention of the media — nice work).
The students will be in other places and hopefully have a job by then — there is no guarantee they will have the time or the money to return to the ceremony. It’s also a let-down. The university wants to make it a celebration but for whom? Surely not the Fall graduates. A celebration delayed is a let- down.
When costs are concerned, the university can simply do something less expensive and go to another venue.
What I think is the real issue here is public relations. The university wants to put on a “big show” to promote their own agendas and it is either too expensive or too inconvenient for the university to do it twice a year. This commencement ceremony surely is not planded with the best interests of the kids and parents in mind.
Tom
January 27th, 2012
1:22 pm
Well said Yankee Prof.
What matters is the education the student receives; I think the priority should be ensuring that education remains strong even at the possible cost of not throwing money and resources at an event.
Beverly fraud
January 27th, 2012
1:22 pm
Bf, I am literally laughing out loud at “Why not just have a ceremony once a decade, so it can be a “really big deal.”
EPIC fail.”
Very very very well said indeed. Thanks for the laugh.
GM
mystery poster
January 27th, 2012
1:25 pm
I, too, graduated in December. My college had no commencement ceremony. I could have come back the following May to graduate, but chose not to. I never questioned the school’s decision, it was theirs to make.
No big deal. It’s the diploma, not the ceremony.
Prof
January 27th, 2012
1:31 pm
There have just been several blogs on changes to the HOPE scholarship rules, with indignant parents and students asking why schools raise tuition and don’t instead cut their costs. Well, commencement ceremonies cost quite a bit of money, starting with renting the Georgia Dome. Now GSU is doing what the critics demand, and canceling one of the three annual occasions for this graduation show.
You’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.
Big Jim
January 27th, 2012
1:32 pm
I was a mid-year graduate. It was actually quite nice to go back to the campus in the spring and see some instructors and friends. It is relevant to know that I had found a job in the area, so travel was not an issue.
Pat21
January 27th, 2012
1:34 pm
I graduated fall of 2011 from GSU and did not attend the commencement. It was held at 11am on a Wednesday, which is not a great time to have a ceremony if you work regular hours. I would much rather attend a spring commencement if it meant having it on a weekend when more people can attend. With that said, I am still waiting for my diploma to show up in the mail…
Bryan
January 27th, 2012
1:36 pm
If you are receiving the degree either way, what would you rather your future alma mater be cutting back on? Faculty? Facilities? Scholarship opportunities? Take a step back and focus on the big picture here.
cnn
January 27th, 2012
1:36 pm
With such a high amount of budgetary cuts and the majority of students cruising through GSU on HOPE, is there any real surprise that they needs to save money and cut ceremonies? And I echo mystery poster, I walked for my bachelors and skipped my masters ceremony. I didn’t care about walking, it is indeed the diploma that matters, not the hysteria of airhorns and cow bells at a ceremony.
cnn
January 27th, 2012
1:37 pm
Typo, apologies.
Devil's Advocate
January 27th, 2012
1:40 pm
Is it pretty much fair to say that no matter what bothers you in life, you need to just get over it? From education, to employment, to politics, to even relationships, if you don’t like it, get over it. The world is a mess and no one is entitled to enjoy it.
GSU 2009 Grad
January 27th, 2012
1:41 pm
It costs only $50,000 or so to rent the Dome for an event this large. Another PR debacle for GSU!!!
High School Parent
January 27th, 2012
1:43 pm
Maureen, I am with you. I did not attend my undergraduate commencement and really didn’t care about it. I was proud of my graduation magna cum laude but the ceremony did not mean anything. I attended my law school graduation only because my parents wanted to be part of it but these are smaller and more personal.
I now have children entering college and I will gladly forgo the costly graduation ceremonies for a reduction in the ridiculous fees colleges are now assessing.
CC03
January 27th, 2012
1:45 pm
I agree with mystery poster. I received both of my degrees in mid-year and I chose to walk at both ceremonies. It is the diploma that matters and if my colleges would have chosen to have only spring ceremonies, I would have made every effort to attend. In addition, the decision has already been made, so those students that will be impacted by this change know nearly a year in advance. If GSU decided during fall semester 2012 to delay the commencement until spring 2013, then I could understand students being upset.
Dekalb taxpayer
January 27th, 2012
1:46 pm
In a tight economy, this seems like a reasonable cut to me. And I think “outraged” is a little strong for this situation.
GSUgrad2003
January 27th, 2012
1:47 pm
Kiana, if you read this…be careful what you ask for. Contemplating moving a commencement ceremony to the GSU sports arena, although in theory a viable solution, presents challenges to the graduates and the university. Back in the day, when all commencement ceremonies took place there, you were allowed 4 people per graduate to attend. Think about it for a sec…you worked hard for 4-5 years, spent thousands of dollars on tuition, books, etc, stayed up odd hours days on end to get work done…and you arrive at your day. Now you have to choose 4 people to see your million dollar smile when you know you have grandparents, siblings, significant others who also want to be there with you. I wish I had your opportunity to have my commencement in the Ga Dome so my whole family could share that moment. But I had to pick 4…ruined what should have been an exciting day.
Chris
January 27th, 2012
1:48 pm
Perhaps the universities should start cutting back on their bloated administrative staffs before cutting back on things like commencement ceremonies.
Cluefull
January 27th, 2012
1:49 pm
Just have the individual “colleges” do it a day at a time and they can fit in the gym.
Mom of 3
January 27th, 2012
1:49 pm
Blah, blah, blah. “I want the Hope. I want a ceremony. I deserve this because I worked hard.” Get over yourself. Graduating college is no less of an accomplishment because you do not get a ceremony immediately upon graduation. Welcome to the real world where no one claps when you do your job well. Brag about your accomplishment on Facebook so all of your “friends” can give you a thumbs up.
CDW
January 27th, 2012
1:52 pm
I’m sure GSU COULD have the ceremony in their own facilities….in which case the attendees would be limited to the number of guests they could invite (if there was room for any at all). Then someone could whine and complain about that (I paid $xx amount of money for my kid to to so I should be able to bring my entire book club to the ceremony).
I attended my high school, college, and grad school ceremonies only b/c my mom promised me I’d regret it if I didn’t. I can honestly say “Mom, you were wrong.” Long, boring, and not worth the time.
For your $8,000 a semester you were ENTITLED to an education. Now let your first lesson of being in the real world be….you are not entitled to squat. And when you have worked for and earned something….you don’t get a party for it. You earned your degree, you got your degree (hopefully a job to go with it), and if the 5 seconds of crossing a stage is THAT important to you, go back in May.
Life isn’t fair.
anonymous
January 27th, 2012
1:58 pm
Thank you Ole Guy for those wise thoughts.
Man oh man, the things people WHINE about these days!
Take matters in your own hand sweetie!
Have a nice little gathering, prop that diploma up on display for ALL to see, then celebrate with your close ones for your achievements. You don’t need no big stadium with thousands of people around!
Be creative!
Sheesh, the WHINING folks do and the campaigning folks to do gather fellow WHINERS!
William Casey
January 27th, 2012
1:58 pm
I attended my commencement ceremony in August ‘71 only beccause of my Mom. No big deal. I didn’t enjoy it. But, then again, I was a “1960’s guy.” Mass ceremonies left me cold.
Devil's Advocate
January 27th, 2012
1:59 pm
I’d be shocked if Mom of 3 isn’t really Single Mom of 3. If she’s not she will be in the next 5 years with that attitude. LOL. I wonder how hubby feels after getting stuff done around the house when she gives him the cold shoulder for doing what he’s supposed to do…
William Casey
January 27th, 2012
2:01 pm
My real pleasure in graduation was the good job I started a month later.
Teacher Reader
January 27th, 2012
2:04 pm
More from our entitlement society. The university is giving notice and isn’t pulling this at the last minute. Students can’t complain about education costs and then demand to have 3 graduations a year. Life isn’t fair, and it’s a shame that this young lady didn’t learn this when she was younger. GSU needs to stick to its decision and move on. Don’t waste too much time on this, as I’d prefer a reasonable price for an education for my child.
Give me a break!
January 27th, 2012
2:05 pm
Are you folks kidding me? Just get over it? These kids have worked hard for their diplomas. A graduation CEREMONY is a public acknowledgement of a rite of passage for a crowning achievement.
So what if YOU got your diploma “in the mail”? So what if you sat home and picked your nose while your classmates were crossing the stage? Who gives a (bleep)? You exercised your right to sit it out, but don’t patronize the many that rightfully choose to partake in the pagentry.
In a world so decrepid, it is REFRESHING to celebrate something POSITIVE.
Congratulations to the graduates! You have EARNED the right to strut down that aisle!
Mom of 3
January 27th, 2012
2:09 pm
Thanks for the advice, Devil’s Advocate. The next time my happily married husband changes a few light bulbs I will remember to clap and cheer so he feels good about himself and sticks around for a few more years. Golly, gee. Hopefully he will then clap and cheer for me when I cook, clean, wash clothes, drive the kids all over town, etc.
Neil
January 27th, 2012
2:09 pm
I currently attend GSU and is about to graduate in May. It is unfortunate that GSU has decided on not allowing hardworking students to take full advantage of their college experience. Every student should make their own choice if they should go to commencement ceremony, the school shouldn’t be the one that makes that choice for us.
It is unfortunate that they did not include the student body in this decision. It is also unfortunate that we did not get any official forms of notification. I personally know over 15 classmates that graduated Fall 2011, for most of them, that was their proudest moment and a life long goal. I am disappointed that we don’t get to be called one by one and personally get a handshake from President Becker. After all, if wasn’t for the students, the school would not be where it is today. But I am happy that I will be able to say that I went to graduation. Many of those that graduates in the fall will not have that opportunity, because life happens and that opportunity may not be there for them to come back in May to celebrate their accomplishment.
Chris
January 27th, 2012
2:10 pm
See, CDW, the thing is that you had a choice to go to commencement. These students may not have that choice. Sure, life isn’t fair. However, should you be so bitter about it?
Mom of 3
January 27th, 2012
2:11 pm
To Give me a break! She has a ceremony. Just not when she wants it.
The United States of China
January 27th, 2012
2:11 pm
Only 25% of American adults have college diplomas… What have the rest of you been up to?
Give
January 27th, 2012
2:12 pm
Enter your comments here
Beatings will continue until morale improves
January 27th, 2012
2:13 pm
I wish that the local news organizations would stop covering GSU and their students. They are the biggest bunch of whiners. All these “trust fund” babies at GSU complain that they denied this and denied that. We dont have HOPE. Blah Blah Blah. The love those Occupy Wall Street people though. It always seems that GSU students have something to cry about. Do you really want to sit in Da DOOOMMME and listen to a bunch of ignorant parents yell and scream when their kids name is called and overshout on your own kids name? Yeah thats fun. Commencement ceremonies have lost their “pomp and circumstance. “
GSU 2009 Grad
January 27th, 2012
2:14 pm
In fairness, GSU’s ceremonies did not have individuals walking across the stage, otherwise they would be about 4 hours long.
Give me a break!
January 27th, 2012
2:14 pm
Yes, mom, I know. I was directing my comments to the posters that were saying to just forget the ceremony altogether simply because they had no interest in attending their own.
My graduation was 2 hours...
January 27th, 2012
2:16 pm
From a VERY large university. Maybe GSU needs to take notes.
Teach2Learn
January 27th, 2012
2:18 pm
One graduation ceremony per year is not an unusual schedule. It’s the way it is at many universities and colleges.
mystery poster
January 27th, 2012
2:20 pm
She could always drop a class or two, pick them up in the spring, and graduate when there is a ceremony.
/sarcasm
Harp
January 27th, 2012
2:21 pm
I think that there should only be one graduation ceremony held for all high schools and colleges, and it should be held in the Spring. I know people that finished their studies a semester early in high school, but had to wait until Spring, if they so chose to participate, to have their graduation ceremony.
Recent Grad
January 27th, 2012
2:27 pm
I graduated from GSU last fall (December 2011) with my Masters. I did not go the commencement, I did go the Business College Celebration. There, I didn’t endure long drawn out speeches that you will never remember and that have very little bearing on your life.
Yes you earned your degree. What you got for you $32K-$40K is the knowledge to be a productive member of society. Having two hours of your life wasted so you can be the center of attention for 3 seconds is pointless.
If GSU students want the Fall commencement, why not have the school charge the students an additional graduation fee for those want to attend. If the student doesn’t want to pay for it, they graduate in Spring.
While in school you had to abide by the rules and policies of that school. This just happens to be one of them. If you are not happy with it, refuse your degree, demand your money back and go to a school that will give you the 3 seconds attention you crave.
Wow.
January 27th, 2012
2:31 pm
Srsly? Tell this girl to call the whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaambulance. You are getting a COLLEGE DEGREE. The larger ceremony is very impersonal and takes forever. WHY do you really care? Get your degree and jet a job and move on with your life. Boofreginhoo. People complain about E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. I say STUF and enjoy your degree and MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE. Holy crap!
Adam
January 27th, 2012
2:34 pm
I got to GSU and I have no issue with the new policy. It is not like they are making you wait 5 months to get your diploma, it is just a ceremony and it cost them a lot of money, 1 a year is fine….
crusher
January 27th, 2012
2:37 pm
Be glad that you have a chance to walk in a graduation ceremony. In 1983 I graduated in December and had to wait until June to graduate. We were in the quarter system and they didn’t have graduation in May. Quit fussing.
Marino
January 27th, 2012
2:38 pm
I am a student at Georgia State, and i support the university’s decision.
catlady
January 27th, 2012
2:42 pm
Maybe each student could be assessed a seperate, $250 fee for a “special” graduation.
hey PR gal!
January 27th, 2012
2:49 pm
“waver” vs. “waiver,” Kiena. In PR, you’ll want to re-read your copy. Then read it again.
Congrats on your degree.
@ Neil
January 27th, 2012
2:52 pm
The student body should have no say in how many graduations the university has. The university needs to cut expenses and this is one of the ways that they have chosen to do it. Students can still attend a graduation and you don’t have to wait until May to get your diploma, so there is nothing really to complain about. There are many universities in this country with one graduation per year. The students need to get over themselves, and spend this energy looking for a job.
Thomas Jefferson
January 27th, 2012
2:52 pm
Just remember how they treated you when they start calling you as an alum asking for money. Of the 3 schools I attended, State, Georgia Tech, and Mercer, State is the only one I never contribute to because of they way they treated their students. What goes around comes around.
Tori
January 27th, 2012
2:55 pm
Georgia State is not reaching out to the students, I have contacted my adviser not once, twice BUT THREE times to speak about graduating. Only to receive an explanation of, “not accepting appointments until February.” This is extremely frustrating; had I known a ceremony would not take place in December I would have taken 18hrs this semester to finish up by Maymester. And to Teacher Reader, Georgia State actually did pull this last minute. January may not seem like it, but for the students who were 2 classes away from finishing, it really did affect us tremendously. As for Georgia State, the students have a saying when they pull a stunt like this, “Oh, it’s just the way Georgia State is.”
Reality
January 27th, 2012
2:55 pm
I will complete my MBA at GSU this fall, and to be honest, I couldn’t care less about attending the graduation ceremony. In fact, when I applied to graduate earlier I declined the option of attending the ceremony. At this point in my life all I care about is just getting the degree. Although, I guess I could understand why it might mean more to an undergraduate student, but I can tell you from experience, the commencement ceremony is highly over rated and completely impersonal. Truthfully, if I had not attended my undergraduate commencement, I would not have missed anything.
Reality
January 27th, 2012
2:59 pm
Though, I did have a beef with the $50 dollar fee they charger you to apply to graduate. Universities are becoming worse then the airlines in terms of trying to find any way to charge you fees for basic services that should already be built into your normal tuition and egregious fees. I mean 50 bucks to apply to graduate? Come on, the diploma itself only costs them a few bucks to print out and mail. Just another example of a school using any reason or excuse to fleece you.
Devil's Advocate
January 27th, 2012
3:01 pm
Mom of 3,
Don’t worry, I was just poking fun at your tone and name. I’m sure you and your hubby reward each other as any married couple should do.
Ian Kahn
January 27th, 2012
3:01 pm
When I graduated from the University of Georgia in 1993, we only had one undergraduate commencement ceremony per year. It was in June. Everyone knew it, and nobody cared. It wasn’t that big a deal. While I understand why Ms. Nichols is upset, I believe her logic falls apart when she claims
“Besides providing a quality education, a commencement ceremony should be at the top of any university’s priority list.”
I can think of many, significantly more important, uses for $500,000. Going by Ms. Nichols’ own numbers, that money equals roughly ten scholarships for deserving students without the financial means to pay for college. Or, how about endowing research into how technology can improve the educational process in developing countries? Or maybe research into efforts to turn economically distressed neighborhoods into thriving, successful areas.
In the grand scheme of things, I don’t think this is all that big a deal. And just for the record, I graduated in August, 1993, after my commencement.
Still and all, congratulations to Ms. Nichols on her fine accomplishments. If she enters the work world with the fire and passion she demonstrates here, she will go far in this world.
JenSmyrna
January 27th, 2012
3:03 pm
I am very disappointed with the decision by GSU to stop Fall Commencement ceremonies. I will be personally affected by this decision, which is a bummer because I never walked in my high school graduation due to alternative schooling. Therefore, I was looking forward to walking this December to celebrate with my family in an official manner. GSU has been making a lot of good decisions for the betterment of their students and this to say the least is not one of them. What a let-down!
claytondawg
January 27th, 2012
3:03 pm
@Mom of 3…great statement “get over yourself.” I agree. So many of us think that “it’s all about me and no one else.” To all of you Kiana’s in the world, just move on.
another comment
January 27th, 2012
3:05 pm
I graduated from two Universities one for my Bachlors and one for my Masters Degree. Neither had a mid- year ceremony. I went to my undergraduate one, but did not stick around for the Grad. school one. They will send the diploma in the mail. You can still have your parents throw you a Party.
My Nephew graduated from NorthEastern a year ago at mid year. My sister and her whole family went back up to Boston in May to watch him walk with the rest of his class.
Jerry
January 27th, 2012
3:06 pm
I had similar thing(s) happen to me. I had got out of sequence because of a helth issue in my freshman year. When I had completed all the requirements for my BS I was tol that there were so few of us graduating that we would be combined with the fall graduation. about 3 weeks later I got my degree in the mail. So much for a comencement. I went to another institution for my masters. I was still out of sequence and sure enough I get told I would be combined with the major commencement exercise. You guessed it – the dgree came in the mail. I solved the problem thoug. I didn’t go for any more degrees. Still feel like I’ve been cheated. These institutions were in Maryland also.
Just A Teacher
January 27th, 2012
3:07 pm
As I see it, GSU has the right to hold commencement exercises when they want. The college should give those students graduating in the fall a break on their tuition, though, if they aren’t giving them the opportunity to walk. Why should these students be forced to help subsidize an event for students who are graduating in May? Georgia State should write each of these students a check and mail it along with their degrees.
Not a big deal
January 27th, 2012
3:30 pm
Really? You got your degree in Film. You won’t need to worry about what you’ll be doing in five months. You won’t have a job so I am sure you can attend the spring ceremony. Now stop crying about the ceremony and start crying about getting a worthless degree.
Big Al
January 27th, 2012
3:41 pm
Is there no end to the trival stuff that young people will complain about. No wonder my generation won’t hire them.
JustGraduated
January 27th, 2012
3:48 pm
I just graduated from a private college in Georgia and they only have one ceremony a year and it was great. Granted I can’t remember hearing my named called or remember walking across the stage but, I was proud to see my parents there. At GA State you can’t even walk across the stage to shake the hand of the Dean or President. They call your school, you stand up and that’s it. Big Whoop! Also all colleges mail their degrees now. They have to make sure you really earned them before they send them out. GSU has to do cutbacks right now and that is understandable. What I don’t understand is how they have their employees retire and then come back a month later in their old positions. Some people are getting three paychecks…. Now that is frustrating!!!
SF
January 27th, 2012
3:52 pm
She really doesn’t care. She’s just trying to organize the community.
GSU Student
January 27th, 2012
3:54 pm
To begin, it is absolutely embarrassing as a GSU student that there are people moaning and groaning about the unfairness of not having a mid-year graduation. Like most people stated above, not only is there a large majority of people who do not go to their own graduation, but most major universities dont even offer mid-year ceremonies. So I am with the majority and say SUCK IT UP.
Tori,
I am student graduating in May. Please do not smear the university’s advisors because you are ill-prepared. You probably called them three times in the same week and probably at the end of november. If you were prepared you would have called them in August to dicuss your class schedule and make sure that you had all of the necessary credits to graduate. In the real world you have to plan ahead.
P.S. not all students say, “Oh, it’s just the way Georgia State is.”, only ones who expect the university to drop everything to accomodate their lack of preparedness.
urmissingthepoint
January 27th, 2012
3:57 pm
I went through commencement at GSU over 10 years ago, when it was a much smaller school. It was a joke. If it weren’t for my family insisting on attending, I would have spent that time at work, or drinking and getting free lap dances at the Cheetah! Commencement ceremonies are just the school spending more of the money YOU GAVE THEM on nothing! Skip the ceremony and give me a refund!
Mom of 3
January 27th, 2012
3:57 pm
Devil’s Advocate…….Ha! I like you. And you are correct.
who cares
January 27th, 2012
3:59 pm
I was hammered at my UGA graduation. it’s all a blur but I loved it
UGA Grad
January 27th, 2012
4:00 pm
Participation in a graduation ceremony is optional.
High schools hold only one graduation ceremony per year regardless of when the student satisfies their graduation requirements. Students wishing to participate in the ceremony have the option to come back and participate in the spring.
I graduated in December and chose not to go through Graduation ceremonies in the spring because I had received my diploma and started my 1st job.
It is unfair to ask the colleges and universities to take on the extra expense for multiple ceremonies in one year.
Like I said before...
January 27th, 2012
4:03 pm
have it at half time of one of the football games. their will be plenty of seats and it’ll give people something to look at. just saying.
Alana
January 27th, 2012
4:08 pm
I too have absolutely no issue with this policy. I graduated from GSU in Dec 2008 and attended our commencement ceremony. I also attended my husbands ceremony in the following Spring. I personally would have preferred to do the one Spring ceremony, as we had families traveling in from out of town for 2 seperate commencements. While I understand that students want to walk the stage to celebrate their achievements, the university is doing it’s best to combat rising tuition costs, which is exactly what will happen if they continue 2 commencement ceremonies a year (GSU is one of the top educational values in the country!!). Many colleges & universities have only 1 ceremony, and I believe this would make sense for GSU. .
GSU Grad-To-Be
January 27th, 2012
4:15 pm
I earned several degrees prior to attending GA State. When I learned about the impersonal nature of the graduation (i.e. your name is NOT called), I decided I would not participate in the ceremony. The one mass graduation will make the cattle call even more impersonal. I am happy I had the opportunity to enjoy my first college graduation. I was a FALL graduate. There was an awesome speaker, fellowship with classmates, and plenty the pomp and circumstance. I have never walked in another ceremony; however, it was my decision. The memories from the first were sufficient.
Many GA State Students are the first in their family to graduate from college. It is often an achievement that the entire family is proud. For these graduates, a ceremony is symbolic for future generations. Had Georgia State shared this information with students as they were applying to the school, many might have made different choice of school or arranged their class schedules differently. It is inconsiderate on the University’s part. How much does it cost for the school to rent out Georgia Dome 5-6 times a year for football? Academics at the expense of Athletics.
GSU Grad-To-Be
#1 rule during arguments: if you’re losing start correcting grammar -Katt Williams
GSU Grad-To-Be
January 27th, 2012
4:19 pm
Before the correction Gestapo comes out, the last line should read Athletics at the expense of Academics.
Maureen Downey
January 27th, 2012
4:19 pm
@Beatings, I have never heard anyone cite “trust fund babies” at GSU. In fact, I often hear the opposite.
Also, one of the longstanding rules of this blog is that students are off limits for go-for-the-jugular comments. Please keep that in mind. I will take such comments down.
Also, I thought the student writer made good points, particularly about the impact of delayed commencements on international students.
Maureen
Old Dawg
January 27th, 2012
4:23 pm
I attended my high school and undergraduate commencement programs, though neither was life changing. When I received my master’s there wasn’t a ceremony, which was fine by me.
But I have those degrees, which are very important to me. Long term, the friendships, knowledge and contacts I made in school have always been more important. If universities are to continue to provide quality degrees, they need to cut expenses in non-academic areas and enhance their basic products: education and research.
I don’t want to sound like the Grinch Who Stole Graduation, but the celebration is actually developing a career, making a positive impact on family and community and giving back the best way you can.
That’s the real party.
Beatings will continue until morale improves
January 27th, 2012
4:32 pm
Maureen,
@Maureen
did I say the media calls these kids “trust fund babies?” No.
These kids who claim they are “poor” and disrespected are the ones who have their ipod earphones in, their iphones, and $300 dollar clothing on while living on a mountain of debt.
Go to another school such as GCSU and see how they deal with once a year graduation for a little contrast.
By the way, most faculty members dont give a hoot about graduation. Another excuse to hear some idiotic talking head to preach their agenda.
Hillbilly D
January 27th, 2012
4:35 pm
Just save a bunch of money and send everybody their diploma in the mail. Of course, the people who make money giving commencement speeches will be up in arms about that.
Maureen Downey
January 27th, 2012
4:39 pm
@Beatings, I didn’t mean media. I have never heard anyone comment that GSU had a tony patina. I always had a sense that it was considered a school where working class Georgians sent their kids. I know that is changing.
Maureen
Natasha
January 27th, 2012
4:40 pm
I am a ‘92 and 96′ graduate of GSU. GSU didn’t start having space problems with their graduation ceremonies until they started to combine everyone into 1 massive graduation ceremony that was too large to be held on campus, and decided they wanted to do it big and move it to the dome.
You could skip this whole exercise by just simply going back to dividing the 6 colleges into 2 ceremonies representing 3 colleges each. It will give you a number that is easily managed and able to be accomodated on the GSU campus.
There, problem solved.
A reader
January 27th, 2012
4:40 pm
This is standard at many schools. It is not a big deal and this issue does not deserve a place in the Get Schooled blog when there are so many other important issues that are not even mentioned on the blog.
Brian30101
January 27th, 2012
4:47 pm
Every spring their are near riots at certain high schools because not everybody can fit into the space available. Is this what you want Kiana?
anonymous
January 27th, 2012
4:49 pm
And we’re missing the fact that students CAN be part of the Spring Graduation. Just be patient aobut it for crying out loud.
A little inconvenience and folks need to start writing to the newspapers about it!
Grow UP!
I'Joni
January 27th, 2012
4:58 pm
Kiana made some good points. No one knows where they’ll be 5 months from now. Also, they could have chosen a better way of letting their class know about the delay in the commencement ceremony. If most of the fall students don’t show up, then obtaining a larger venue for a combined ceremony really wouldn’t be worth it anyway.
Maureen Downey
January 27th, 2012
5:15 pm
@Who cares, But UGA does still maintain midyear and end-of-the-year commencements.
Maureen
Jonas Stalter
January 27th, 2012
5:24 pm
The commencement speakers should be paid a lot to come talk to these ungrateful, entitled babies.
Josh
January 27th, 2012
5:27 pm
Many schools only hold one commencement a year.
Wasted on the young
January 27th, 2012
5:30 pm
I am old school, and think that cereomonies serve meaningful purposes — whether they be bar mitzvahs or burials. Marking beginnings, endings, new undertakings, etc. gives everyone involved a moment to pause and reflect. Ritual has its place. I do not believe that the cattle call that passes for mass conferring of degrees is particularly appealing. I’ve attended ceremonies in the Dome, as well as the Arena — and am glad that I was a spectator and not a participant.
I do believe, however, that a separate hooding ceremony is a move in the right direction.
P.S. In this horrific economy, no group of employees is doing more with less than state workers and college employees. If you want to gripe about salaries and fees, start with athletics coaches and work your way down… . Go Alma Mater!
Mahopinion
January 27th, 2012
5:38 pm
To those saying “get over it, it’s not all about you”, think about this. You are right, it’s not all about the graduate, it’s also about the fa I,IRS who worked hard to make sure their student got to that point. Why should they be punished because GSU decided to pull the p,ug on the mid-year ceremony to save money and their student can’t come back in May?
Mahopinion
January 27th, 2012
5:40 pm
Stupid iPad spell checker! That second line should have been “it’s also about the families…”
tom
January 27th, 2012
8:45 pm
It is even worse for those who graduate in the summer who instead of having to wait until the end of the fall have to wait until the following spring – almost a year later.
bootney farnsworth
January 27th, 2012
8:51 pm
of all the crap going on right now, the biggest thing on her mind is she can’t attend a graduation ceremony when she wants it?
dollars to donuts she votes for Obama
bootney farnsworth
January 27th, 2012
8:58 pm
here’s a simple fact of life:
graduation ceremonies are stinkin’ expensive. they are major logistical challenges, tie up a large amount of college personnel,
and are dramatically underattended unless the school in question
is a “name school”
in short, they are fiscally ineffective to do once. fiscal disasters
to do twice
‘course, if State did away with the film program they might be able to gin up the cash to do it twice a year.
bootney farnsworth
January 27th, 2012
8:59 pm
can’t help but wonder if she’ll demand input on the guest speaker.
bootney farnsworth
January 27th, 2012
9:02 pm
its crap like this while lead us to a broke and broken regents system
Fred
January 27th, 2012
10:55 pm
I dunno about all that, but I DO know thta this is a perfect opportunity to post the best commencement speech ever given:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0Wcr82UOsw&feature=autoplay&list=PLBB81E4F9BCD5B0E7&playnext=1
Is a commencement deferred a commencement denied? A GSU students thinks so. – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Columbia Christian Radio
January 28th, 2012
1:09 am
[...] Article from http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2012/01/27/is-a-commencement-deferred-a-commencement-denied-a... If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing [...]
Lee
January 28th, 2012
6:19 am
I’ve been to small college commencements where they still call out the individual graduates name and I’ve been to large universities such as UGA where they have several thousand graduates and the students of such and such school stand en masse.
I always thought the large school graduations were a waste of time. I mean, unless you carry a good pair of binoculars, you probably cannot even pick out your graduate from the crowd.
Mom3boys
January 28th, 2012
8:34 am
My oldest son recently graduated from UGA (Dec). The ceremony was inside the basketball colliseum. I am so gald for the smaller crowd; it was very enjoyable and easy for the grandparents to get around…not nearly as much walking at “one big event” would have been. Since many people come to our GA schools from out of state, this is a really bad idea.
MrLiberty
January 28th, 2012
9:36 am
It is truly a sad state of affairs in this country when a college graduate puts more emphasis on the “ceremony” than on her graduation and the education she received. What a disgusting display of selfishness.
She made the decision (no doubt a wise one) to do what was necessary to finish her schooling early. That saved her significant monies I am sure and has given her a jump on her fellow students in applying for a dwindling supply of jobs. That she cannot fathom the rationale for reducing expenses to the college by eliminating what I understand to be a multi-million dollar expense is just another sign of the entitlement mentality that so many decades of government intervention into the economy have engendered among the citizens. If commencement is that important to her, let her drag her likely unemployed ass back in the Spring to join with her fellow classmates.
It is stuff like this, kids like this, and media coverage of things like this that make many question how america will ever have a sound economic future.
Sarah
January 28th, 2012
10:53 am
I graduated last August with my Masters from GSU. I had never attended a commencement ceremony before (Associate or Bachelors degrees) and was looking forward to mine. However, they cancelled the summer commencement begining the year prior to my graduation. I decided not to attend the December graduation. I saved my money and time. I understand the school wishing to save money this way. I also understand students’ displeasure of the cancelling of the December commencement. And now, August graduates will have to wait until May to walk? When I think of it that way, it is unfortunate – but not the worst thing that will ever happen to these students. This is the only class that will probably put up a fuss, and next year it will just be considered as the way it is.
Prof
January 28th, 2012
12:33 pm
I imagine that Kiana Nichols has just received some valuable post-graduate Public Relations experience if she has been reading this blog.
PR may be defined as “the practice of managing communication between an organization and its publics.” The “organization” here seems to be Ms. Nichols and other present GSU students who won’t be able to experience a midyear graduation ceremony. The “publics” include other GSU students, those who have gone through such ceremonies, and taxpayers. When the organization leaves out key factors in its “spin”–here, the high costs of such graduation ceremonies during a recession– its public relations are NOT going to be very persuasive.
Also, be objective about the likely opposition to your “spin,” Ms. Nicholas, and beware of the “straw man” fallacy.
“All students want is a commencement where the president and university leaders stand on the stage, look at each student in his or her cap and gown, and say ‘thank you’ and ‘congratulations for all your hard work and success.’ ”
You wouldn’t get this, even with a midyear commencement, as many here have commented.
Sk8ing Momma
January 29th, 2012
9:02 am
I’m old school. Commencements happen in May/June. IMO, graduating in the summer or fall just don’t “feel” right. It would be like celebrating Christmas in June.
IMO, it is reasonable for a college/university to hold one commencement ceremony per school year. Traditionally, students complete their studies in May/June. Graduates need to plan accordingly. If one wants to participate, good. If not, so be it. Life really does go on!
Panther turned Owl
January 29th, 2012
10:46 am
I remember the Sports Arena graduation days and how many of my fellow upperclassmen hated it (only 4 attendees). I was there when the change was made to eliminate summer school graduations. I was planning to graduate in Summer 2007 and I was pissed initially as I wanted to have a summer graduation. This was 2006 and the announcement was made to have to ceremonies in the Ga. Dome for Spring and Fall 2007. Of course, December 2006 graduates were none to pleased as many of them opted to wait until Spring 2007 where you can bring as many people as you wanted. This was something the SGAs over the years fought long and hard for. I There was a short lived proposal to have the summer graduation in the suburbs such as the GICC or Gwinnett Arena but that plan was scrapped.
While I ultimately transferred out of GSU to Kennesaw State as I had some personal challenges to happen to me that postponed my education, I saw no dig deal from it. The Andrew Young School told us that we would have a private celebration where our names would be called and we can bring as many as we wanted. The other colleges offered similar things. Trust me, you don’t want to live through the horror of what previous GSU students did having Sports Arena graduations.
ajset
January 29th, 2012
10:57 am
what is even more amazing is that either of her two majors are majors at all. shouldnt these be trade school programs?
Sam in GA
January 29th, 2012
10:58 am
I support GSU’s policy decision on this one. It is no big deal to wait for the graduation ceremony in the spring as long as the degree is conferred once the course work is done in the fall. Good idea.
JSS
January 29th, 2012
11:42 am
I’m still to busy laughing at the person calling out the young lady for using “waver” properly!
Most of you are highly misinformed on the process of mid-year graduation ceremonies. Because GA and most Southeastern colleges and universities were on the old quarter system, they did not have mid year graduations. Once they joined the rest of the world in the Semester system, more graduates qualified for the mid year graduation.
Many of you are not realistic, as the young lady pointed out, the Great Recession delayed many students from graduating with their original class. It is time for highly paid administrators to earn their keep. On a personal note, if I had been forced to wait for the graduation ceremony the following year (Spring 1988) instead of graduating in December 1987, my Godmother who helped to raise me from age 2 weeks old would have missed my ceremony. She died a 3 months following my walk down the aisle. Some things are bigger than you alone…
Maureen Downey
January 29th, 2012
11:45 am
@Jss, FYI:
I fixed waiver/waver — I try and fix all misspellings in entries by other authors simply because I don’t want the issue lost in complaints about spelling.
Maureen
PantherGrad
January 29th, 2012
1:30 pm
Blah Blah… I was graduated from GSU in the 90’s and didn’t walk. I understand that for most kids this is an emotional event, but if they bothered to support the football and basketball teams, bringing their friends and families maybe GSU could afford to rent the dome every quarter for commencement. GO TO THE GAMES!!!! GET INVOLVED!!! 100,000 GSU grads in ATLANTA and we can’t average more than 15k for football games. We can’t get 3,500 to support basketball. Get your priorities straight people. This is what’s wrong with this country we have become whiners. Hang your degree on the wall, get back to your shift at Walmart and GO TO THE GAMES!!!
Entitlement Society
January 30th, 2012
2:23 pm
Thank goodness, Ms. Nicholas has graduated before we had to hear her whine about the cut in HOPE. Once again, we have students thinking they are entitled to things. Ugh. Whine, whine, whine. Get over it. Has she not read the news that the entire state’s education system is in serious condition? Cuts are being made left and right and she’s complaining about a few hours packed in the Dome to have 30 seconds in the spotlight? Get over yourself, Ms. Nicholas. You got your diploma. Good job. Now get on with your life, get a job, stop whining and become a productive member of society. Good grief.
seo
January 31st, 2012
1:32 pm
My coder is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on numerous websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to another platform. I have heard great things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress content into it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
KaTrina Harrison
February 1st, 2012
10:36 am
I think that the point of the article is being misinterpreted here. As a current GSU student who was hoping to graduate in the fall, this is a major let down. We are not against the school trying to save money, but no one is forcing them to have it at the dome. And quite frankly, GSU has plenty of funds considering all of the fees students pay and reap no benefit from. It would be one thing if we were made aware awhile ago rather than finding out by watching the news or even reading the school’s newspaper. GSU did not even release a public statement until after the story ran in the school’s paper and then they even did that poorly. For one to say that the ceremony shouldn’t matter is rather a profound “opinion”. When you work hard, you should be able to celebrate. Especially when one is paying to go to school.