Amanda Smith
Lantern Staff
In an effort to make graduation in May smoother, changes have been made to the graduation ceremony, now scheduled to take place on Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m. at the BG Products Veteran’s Sports Complex. In case of severe weather, the ceremony will be rescheduled for the morning of Saturday, May 18.
“These changes were made to allow all graduates to walk together in one ceremony and to ensure their friends and family members could view the ceremony in person,” Registrar Willow Dean said.
In years past, graduation was split into two ceremonies, one at 9:30 a.m. and another at 1 p.m. in the gymnasium. Because of the growing number of graduates, seating in the gym had been overflowing into the Fine Arts Auditorium in the 700 building where attendees could watch the graduation.
Dean, whose office is in charge of the coordination of graduation, said the decision was made after a commencement meeting with several attendees was held to discuss options for the ceremony. Ultimately, the decision was made based on ease for those graduating and convenience for family and friends.
“The options considered were to leave things as they were and turn people away from being able to watch the ceremony – even on closed circuit TV, add a third ceremony during the day to allow for more people to be able to attend the ceremony or change the venue and hold one ceremony,” Vice President of Student Services Bill Rinkenbaugh said.
Although the ceremony has changed, the process to graduate has not. Those who plan to graduate in spring are still required to apply for graduation, which they can do through the Advising Office. Although the deadline was on Wednesday, March 20, students may still apply but are required to pay a $10 late fee as well.
According to both Rinkenbaugh and Dean, there are approximately 600 spring graduates. Overall, 1,000 students graduate from Butler when fall, spring and summer graduates are combined. However, commencements are only held once per academic year but those who graduated in the fall or summer are welcome to participate in the ceremony.
“I like that they changed the ceremony to be held in the football stadium,” sophomore Mikal Burnett said. “Now more people can come and families and friends can all celebrate together.”
