OUR VIEW: Two graduations will benefit students

The Utah State University administration is looking into holding a graduation ceremony at the end of Fall semester in addition to the traditional Spring commencement.

That change, if it comes, will be a blessing for students who complete graduation requirements in December and move out of Logan immediately. It is inconvenient, or impossible, for many to return for a graduation ceremony. This is particularly true for international students who may be halfway around the world.

It is also rather anticlimactic for a student to slave and toil for four or more years to earn a degree, go out without a bang, get started on an exciting career, and have to come back five months later to sit through a ceremony.

The Registrar’s Office and deans would no doubt be grateful to spread the piles of graduation applications and diplomas to be processed over two commencement ceremonies, rather than dealing with one monstrous paperwork nightmare per year.

Of course, it may be harder to afford a high-profile commencement speaker for a 1,000-person graduating class, but how many graduates really listen to that speech or remember it two days later anyway?

Another problem is where to hold it. Winter weather demands an indoor ceremony, but administrators say it is nearly impossible to find a night when the Spectrum is free from athletic events. Given President Hall’s commitment to “academics first,” this shouldn’t be a problem at all.

The Provost’s Office is welcoming feedback from students about the possibilities. Comments can be sent to sydney.peterson@usu.edu.