[Ysu-academic-senate] Fw: Memorandum to YSU Academic Senate from Interim Provost Abraham

[Amy I Flick]

________________________________
From: Jodi Clowes
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2015 5:39 PM
To: Amy I Flick
Subject: Memorandum to YSU Academic Senate from Interim Provost Abraham

Please read the following memorandum from Interim Provost Abraham.  We apologize if you have already received a copy of this email.


To:      YSU Academic Senate
From: Martin Abraham, Interim Provost
Re:      Proposal for providing more robust and meaningful commencement exercises
The spring commencement activities involve two ceremonies; one very large ceremony for undergraduate students in the morning and a small ceremony for graduate students in the afternoon.  As an alternative, it is suggested that the spring commencement be divided into two ceremonies of roughly equal size and distinction. Three colleges (including their graduate students) will graduate in the morning; the other three colleges will graduate in the afternoon.
By separating our spring commencement along college lines, we create opportunity for those students completing degree requirements to walk in the spring commencement exercises.  We have reviewed this with the registrar's office and others involved with commencement activities and it is technically feasible to identify students who would be eligible to graduate in summer and invite them to attend spring commencement. Thus, it is also proposed to eliminate summer commencement and allow those students graduating in the summer to attend commencement either the spring prior to their graduation or the fall following.
Benefits:

·      Two roughly equal size commencements in spring.  Each will be slightly larger than the fall commencement.

·      All students have an opportunity to attend a robust ceremony, with both undergraduate and graduate students commencing together and a recognizable speaker.

·      No restriction to the number of guests an undergraduate student may invite to their spring ceremony.

·      Summer graduates can select from either the spring or fall commencement ceremony.
Drawbacks:

·      Summer graduates will attend a ceremony at a different time from completing their degree requirements.

·      Systems need to be adapted to accommodate the proposed change.
The Academic Events committee of the Academic Senate is responsible for making recommendations regarding academic events such as graduation ceremonies.  We would welcome your input prior to my meeting with this committee, scheduled on Monday, January 12.  You can send comments to me at martin.abraham at ysu.edu<mailto:martin.abraham at ysu.edu>, or to Taci Turel, chair of the committee, at tturel at ysu.edu<mailto:tturel at ysu.edu>.


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