Valdosta State University has decided to change the commencement (Graduation) ceremony schedule for Spring 2016 to a very different and inconvenient new schedule. In previous years, the commencement ceremonies were divided into Colleges making the ceremony shorter and more intimate for the colleges graduating. This also allowed open invitation to anyone wanting to attend and watch the graduation (unlimited family and friends). The new schedule is packing the ceremony into one day and dividing up the times: 

Saturday, May 7, 2016

10 AM

Graduate School Convocation

1 PM

College of Business, Education & Health Sciences, Art & Sciences Convocation 

4PM 

College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Arts & Sciences Convocation

8 PM

Spring Commencement Ceremony

 

This is the new schedule breaking up the times and creating a stressful day for many out-of-town travelers and the graduates. For many family and friends of graduates are traveling from 3+ hours away and will now have to reserve a hotel for two nights, rather than one like before. 

The ceremony will be much longer and less intimate due to increased number of graduates because of combining colleges. Making the ceremony longer, elderly attendees of the ceremony will be more prone to not staying because of sitting that length of time.

The ceremony will have to moved outside for the mass numbers of graduates or guests of graduates will have to be limited. Possibility of inclement weather (rain in May and the heat of south Georgia) is increased and the possibility of not having enough seating for attendees is increased. 

Also, since the increased number of people attending the same ceremonies, there will be a lack of parking, organization and comfort for everyone. 

Finally, the separation of convocation from the actual walking and receiving diploma complicates the day for everyone since there is either a 10, 8 or 4 hour waiting period in between the two ceremonies and making graduates with divorced parents or people traveling from out of town, in a bind.

The previous (original) schedule is what you will be signing to keep in place which is as follows:

"More than 1,200 students will be recognized during Valdosta State University’s spring commencement ceremonies May 8-9."

Friday, May 8

• Ceremony for undergraduate students from the College of the Arts and College of Nursing and Health Sciences at 5 p.m.

• Ceremony for graduate students from the College of the Arts, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services, Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration, and College of Arts and Sciences at 8 p.m.

Saturday, May 9

• Ceremony for undergraduate students from the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services at 9 a.m.

• Ceremony for undergraduate students from the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration at 1 p.m.

• Ceremony for undergraduate students from the College of Arts and Sciences at 4 p.m.

All commencement ceremonies will be held in the P.E. Complex at the intersection of Baytree Road and Sustella Avenue.

Parking will be available for guests in the Oak Street surface lot and deck; for faculty, staff, and volunteers in the Sustella Avenue surface lot; and for graduates in the Sustella Avenue deck. The P.E. Complex lot will be designated for accessibility and platform party parking only. Drivers are urged to avoid Baytree Road to decrease congestion on the main thoroughfare.  

 

Please sign this petition in favor of the above graduation ceremony to keep Blazer pride the same as it has been in years! The graduating class of 2016 would greatly appreciate it. If you could also indicate if you are Student, Faculty, Family or Community member so we can get an idea of the diverse people who care!

We thank you in advance for you time.