CORTNEY MICHEAL
Staff Writer
In the past, Seaver College celebrated three commencements a year: one in April, another in August and a third in December.
Several years ago, administrators decided to discontinue the August graduation, leaving only December and April to graduate the accomplished seniors. Now it’s down to one.
Pepperdine decided to cut December graduation as a result of budget-cut considerations, leaving April as the only time for students to celebrate commencement.
Students who previously needed to take an extra fall semester to finish classes could then celebrate and walk in December. Now those who finish in the fall must wait until spring to graduate formally.
University officials said it was axed because many students who had finished classes in the fall would wait to walk in April because the spring graduation ceremony is much more elaborate and memorable.
In April, students, faculty and family are escorted to Alumni Park, looking out over the ocean view while reflecting on the past four years of learning and experience.
Over the years, there have been fewer students who graduate in December.
“There are a small number of graduate students in December,” said Dr. Rick Marrs, associate dean. “And even if they are permitted to graduate in December, they opt to walk in the spring because it is a larger ceremony that takes place in beautiful Alumni Park.”
Moreover, in April, graduates and their families are invited to attend various dinner receptions to further commemorate completion and achievements in college.
In December, however, the graduation day is not as involved. The graduation ceremony is held in Firestone Fieldhouse, and there are no special festivities.
Some students have mixed feelings about the decision.
“I wanted to walk as part of the graduation experience,” said Christine Carter, who walked in the final December graduation. “If I hadn’t gotten the chance to walk in December, it would have been inconvenient for me to have to return to Malibu in the spring if I wanted to take part in the commencement ceremony and walk. I’ve got to get a job now and support myself, so to have to take time out of my schedule four months from now to celebrate could be difficult.”
Many of the students who must take an extra fall semester are transfer students. After transferring to Pepperdine, credits can get lost in the process and when it comes time to graduate, they find that their credits fall short.
Pepperdine’s general education requirements tend to be more rigorous than some other universities with religion and humanities courses that equate to six extra GE courses for students.
Some transfers at Pepperdine dislike the December graduation change.
“I came into Pepperdine with enough credits to graduate in two years, but when I got here I found out I had to take an extra six general education classes to graduate,” said Hillary Brown, a junior transfer. “Now I have no choice but to stay for an extra semester. Even if I did take summer school, I still wouldn’t be able to graduate in two years, making me a 2006 spring graduate. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to take an extra semester in the fall of 2006 and if I want to walk, I’m going to have to wait and walk in the spring of 2007. I’m not too excited about that.”
Some students don’t mind the change at all. They say they feel if they have to take an extra fall semester and wait to walk in the spring, they see it just as an excuse to return to Malibu and enjoy a nice weekend celebrating their success.
“I don’t mind the December graduation change at all. I guess I just never really thought about it until it was changed,” said Jenille Wynder, a junior transfer student. “I was going to wait until April to walk anyway. I think that will be a better graduation ceremony.”
Regardless, there are pros and cons to the recent graduation change.
But despite its inconvenience, the majority of students said they aren’t deeply concerned.
Most, like Brown, say they will figure out how to make the graduation ceremony in the spring if that is the only choice they have.
02-17-2005