Students voice their opinions about recent commencement changes

Danielle Williamson, graduating senior in the College of Education

“I feel like if they were going to make such a humongous change, it should have been done earlier. Too many people now have to redo their announcements and invites and have to rearrange schedules because of this late change. Plus, I know have to go to both ceremonies to see my friends in other colleges graduate.”

Ira Phillips, junior

“The changing on the commencement ceremonies is for the better due to the volume of graduates and guest. With the changes families won’t have to stand or be at an inconvenience on sitting or having a seat that obstructs seeing their graduate walk across the stage. It’s good to see that SFA is taking the students into consideration when making changes. This will also avoid lengthy graduations. The only challenge that I could see is if there should be one guest speaker or two.”

Alexis Guthery, graduating senior in the College of Business

“Quite frankly I am peeved. Why would SFA wait until there are two months until graduation to change the commencement times? Most people have already ordered their invitations and received them and have begun to mail them out believing that the commencement would be 9:30 a.m. on May 11, but now it is a struggle to get the remainder of my invitations changed to say 2 p.m. and to contact those who have received the invitations to inform them of the time change. Also, I will not be graduating with quite a few friends, and that makes me sad as well. I just hope that the school or Jack Backers will reimburse those students that have incorrect graduation invitations now.”

Courtney Frost, graduate student, SFA Class of ‘12

“I think it is a great idea but I feel that is something that should have been announced sooner. I would hate to be a parent paying for multiple hotel room at the Friday before in preparation for arriving at the Coliseum at 8 a.m. for seats, just to find out that I could have saved money to drive with graduation at 2 p.m. Furthermore, by this time for my graduation last May, I already ordered, paid and was waiting for my announcements. I would be out $200 because of the error and have to reorder, pay, and wait longer for my announcements. I really am glad the University finally made a smart move by dividing the ceremony, but they knew this was going to happen over two years ago so they should have given notice way before March.”

Justin Barrington, graduating senior in the College of Education

“I am very thankful that they split the ceremonies. I am the first college graduate in my family and knowing that they have a better chance of getting great seats makes me happy.”