Loyola students planning to graduate in December may have to change their plans if a proposal made by the Rev. Bernard Knoth, S.J., university president, becomes a reality. The December 2002 graduation is still scheduled, but future December commencements are in jeopardy.Recently Kathy Gros, director of registration services, sent an e-mail to students who might complete their degree in 2003. It said, “A decision was reached to discontinue the December commencement ceremony effective December 2003.”Knoth said that cancellation of the ceremony is only a proposal in the conversational stage. “No final decision has been made on this,” Knoth said. Several meetings with university deans have been held to discuss the possible benefits and alternatives to canceling future December commencement ceremonies. Knoth said there were many factors involved in the decision to possibly cancel the future graduations. “We want to add more focus on the May graduation ceremonies and receptions,” Knoth said. Knoth also said that cost is the main reason the university is considering canceling the December graduations. Each December graduation, which is held in the Recreational Complex, costs between $35,000 and $40,000, Knoth said. “That is money that could be better spent in other areas,” Knoth said. Jim Eiseman, vice president for Student Affairs, said lack of student support might have been part of the reason for the proposed cancellation, but Knoth denied that this has anything to do with the decision. Director of Student Activities Chris Cameron said the change would be a positive one.”Before, students who were graduating late in December were forced to go to a ceremony that was not as nice and without their friends,” Cameron said. “This allows the students to be at graduation with their friends. Graduation is such a special time.”Students planning to graduate in December 2003 or later will have the option of walking in the May 2003 ceremony if they are 15 to 16 credits short of their degree, the equivalent of one semester. They may also choose to walk the May after if they choose to do so, Knoth said. December graduations began about 12 years ago. Under the current rules, a student with nine or less hours to complete can walk early in the May graduation. Those with more than nine hours to go must graduate in December, Knoth said.Knoth addressed the Student Government Association at its meeting Tuesday to hear student opinion about the proposal.SGA members were concerned about the possibility of more crowding on the front lawn at the May ceremony due to the addition of the December graduates. Knoth said that he did not believe this would be a problem, because most December graduates are from City College and the College of Arts and Sciences. He also said that no limit would be set on the number of invitations a graduate can give out.Another SGA member asked where specifically the money would go. Knoth said he hoped it some of it would go toward better receptions at the May graduation.The administration said it tentatively plans to make the decision concerning future December graduations in mid-March.

Click here to start a discussion on this story.