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| KRISTIE MOSS / Scroll |
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Several years ago an inch and a half of snow accumulated on his back and shoulders as he stood in line waiting 20 minutes for the graduating procession to file inside the Hart Auditorium. Even now, Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles jokingly reminds the administration of the year “they tried to freeze him at graduation.” Needless to say, the processional line-up has been changed.
However, that’s not the only change that has occurred at this university concerning graduation. Baccalaureate degrees, satellite broadcasting, convocation ceremonies, ticket procedures and tri-annual ceremonies are some of the modifications that have affected graduation.
Baccalaureate Degrees
“The most significant change concerning graduation has been transitioning from a two-year college, where students received associate degrees, to a four-year university where baccalaureate degrees are also given,” said Roy Huff, associate academic vice president.
While the number of graduates has not changed significantly, the amount of students who want to participate in graduation has dramatically increased.
At Ricks College, there were as many as 2,000 graduates each April, Huff said. However, only a third of the students marched. Currently, an estimated 1,600 students will graduate each semester — slightly less than prior graduating classes of Ricks College. The difference though, is that three-fourths of those students want to walk at graduation.
The increase in numbers is largely because many feel a baccalaureate degree is a commemorative occasion, said Kevin Miyasaki, BYU-Idaho registrar. In the past many students were pursuing other degrees after receiving their associate degree from Ricks College and didn’t feel it was significant.
Multiple challenges have come as more are participating in graduation ceremonies.
Satellite Broadcasting
With the increasing number of marching graduates, not all the family and friends wanting to celebrate with their student are able to be in the Hart Auditorium with its 4,277 capacity limit.
“In order to facilitate family, the ceremony is broadcast simultaneously at the John Taylor and Gordon B. Hinckley buildings,” Huff said.
Ticket Procedures
The amplified number of family members attending graduation has also affected the amount of tickets each graduate is allotted.
“Seating it the largest complaint we receive,” Huff said. “But we understand their concern. Students spent four, or 10, or however many years earning their degree. With all of that time and money, they only get two tickets to graduation.”
Convocation Ceremonies
The most significant change that occurred while student life vice president Jim Gee was in charge of graduation between 1978 and 2004 was that convocation ceremonies were held immediately after the graduation ceremony. This ceremony is held within each college and is where the graduates receive their diploma covers. Before the convocation ceremony was enacted, each graduate’s name was read as they received their diploma cover at the graduation ceremony.
This change began in the early ‘80s and has continued until this year. Due to the increasing numbers of participants and audience members, some convocations are being held the night before.
“There simply aren’t enough places on campus large enough to hold each college’s convocation immediately after graduation,” Gee said. “Accommodating everyone at graduation is a space issue. We’ll have to adapt to accommodate to crowds better as the graduating class continues to grow.”
December and August Graduation Ceremonies
With the three-track system beginning when Ricks College transitioned to BYU-I, August and December graduation ceremonies were an addition to the April graduation. However, with the new calendar announced the ceremonies will likely have equal amounts of graduates, Miyasaki said.
With the three graduation ceremonies held, three general authorities now come each year solely for graduation.
