Student Graduation Speaker Policy To Change

By Cara Daley | May 3, 2010 at 8:00 am | ASCMC News | 8 comments | |

 

Hats off at Commencement 2009

In the past, it has been customary for the Senior Class President to give a speech at Commencement.  Although awaiting final approval from President Gann, a change in this policy for the 2010-2011 academic year (and beyond) has already been approved by several members of the Dean of Students and Dean of Faculty offices, including Dean Mary Spellman and Dean Greg Hess.

Many people may be indifferent to the student chosen to speak on their behalf at their graduation, but I believe changing this process to a student-nominated speaker is more democratic and will ultimately produce a much more quality speech.  As the incoming Senior Class President, I am the first to say that I think there are people in my class who will be able to draft and deliver a much better speech than I ever could.  On top of that, it is not even specified in the ASCMC Constitution that the Senior Class President must give the speech.  The document merely states the Senior Class President “shall work with the CMC administration to plan the annual graduation ceremonies.”

I do not think that when students vote for their Senior Class President in March of their Junior year they judge the candidates based on their ability to give a great graduation speech.  The Senior Class President serves an important role for students in their final year here at CMC, but this should not necessarily include speaking at graduation.  It has also been my understanding that it is the general consensus of the student body that this will be a positive change.  Members of the ASCMC Executive Board, alumni, current seniors, current juniors, and even underclassmen have expressed their support for this new tradition.

The proposed plan is as follows:

  • Applicants first encouraged to apply via The Forum around Thanksgiving
  • Committee formed consisting of the ASCMC President, Senior Class President, a member of the Dean of Students, a Faculty representative, and two more student representatives to choose finalists
  • Application will be open until deadline at the beginning of second semester (giving seniors time to write speeches over winter break)
  • Speaker selection committee reviews applications after deadline at the beginning of second semester
  • Committee decides on 3-5 finalists by March 1st
  • Seniors choose the speaker from the finalists by a direct vote

This plan is tentative and definitely flexible.  I encourage all input from current students and alumni if you have alterations or suggestions to make for the current plan.

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Cara Daley

Cara, a senior at CMC, decided to reevaluate her life once almost defeated in an ASCMC election by a beer. Since then, she alternates her days mastering Salt N' Pepa raps, finding different foods to eat with peanut butter, and planning her trip around the world. She is thrilled to be the Managing Editor for Life, Events, and Multimedia.

 
 
 
 
  • allie

    great article Cara!

    “I do not think that when students vote for their Senior Class President in March of their Junior year they judge the candidates based on their ability to give a great graduation speech.”

    very true, sounds like a good way to get new and interesting voices heard

  • allie

    great article Cara!

    “I do not think that when students vote for their Senior Class President in March of their Junior year they judge the candidates based on their ability to give a great graduation speech.”

    very true, sounds like a good way to get new and interesting voices heard

  • Clarification Please

    Am I correct in understanding that the seniors will have an opportunity to read the drafted speeches?

    • Cara Daley

      That wasn’t specified, but no that is not the assumption. I believe it would be up to the committee (with student representatives) to rule on the quality/humor of the speech, and students would vote based on the overall confidence they would have in one of the finalists. I don’t think everyone would want to know the speech before graduation.

  • Clarification Please

    Am I correct in understanding that the seniors will have an opportunity to read the drafted speeches?

    • Cara Daley

      That wasn’t specified, but no that is not the assumption. I believe it would be up to the committee (with student representatives) to rule on the quality/humor of the speech, and students would vote based on the overall confidence they would have in one of the finalists. I don’t think everyone would want to know the speech before graduation.

  • The Chairman

    My issue is the committee step and I don’t understand why the administration insists on it. It’s a horrible idea.

    I think Pomona has a system in which the potential student speakers write a “sample” of their speech and the seniors vote on it. That is, even the nanny state of Pomona College doesn’t need a committee to narrow it down to 3-5 speakers… their school trusts them with just a simple democracy.

    On top of that, I don’t understand the makeup of the committee or the thinking behind it. Three points:

    1. Why does the committee include a faculty member or a DOS member? Why not throw in an alumnus, a trustee, or a parent while we’re at it? I thought graduation ceremonies are for the students graduating.

    2. Will a DOS member push harder for the students with the wealthy parents (look at how many RAs each year have wealthy parents and/or parents on the Board of Trustees — three this year alone!)? How will the lobbying play out?

    3. What criteria will the committee consider? Will GPA or a minor history with campus security be a factor? I’ve seen a committee of similar makeup actually print out students’ academic records for consideration in choosing from candidates.

    I could go on, but I’ll leave you all with this quotation:

    A “Normal” person is the sort of person that might be designed by a committee. You know, “Each person puts in a pretty color and it comes out gray.” ~Alan Sherman

  • The Chairman

    My issue is the committee step and I don’t understand why the administration insists on it. It’s a horrible idea.

    I think Pomona has a system in which the potential student speakers write a “sample” of their speech and the seniors vote on it. That is, even the nanny state of Pomona College doesn’t need a committee to narrow it down to 3-5 speakers… their school trusts them with just a simple democracy.

    On top of that, I don’t understand the makeup of the committee or the thinking behind it. Three points:

    1. Why does the committee include a faculty member or a DOS member? Why not throw in an alumnus, a trustee, or a parent while we’re at it? I thought graduation ceremonies are for the students graduating.

    2. Will a DOS member push harder for the students with the wealthy parents (look at how many RAs each year have wealthy parents and/or parents on the Board of Trustees — three this year alone!)? How will the lobbying play out?

    3. What criteria will the committee consider? Will GPA or a minor history with campus security be a factor? I’ve seen a committee of similar makeup actually print out students’ academic records for consideration in choosing from candidates.

    I could go on, but I’ll leave you all with this quotation:

    A “Normal” person is the sort of person that might be designed by a committee. You know, “Each person puts in a pretty color and it comes out gray.” ~Alan Sherman