NW ends summer commencement

The Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents voted on Friday to permanently cancel the summer commencement ceremony effective summer 2015.

After consulting with the Faculty Senate, Dean’s Council, Council of Chairs and the University Registrar, Provost Timothy Mottet recommended cancelling the ceremony.

Mottet said only two of the other public four-year institutions in Missouri — Missouri State University and the University of Missouri – St Louis — hold a summer commencement ceremony.

In addition, only 40 percent of those eligible to participate in the summer graduation ceremony actually participate compared to more than 80 percent during the winter and spring ceremonies.

“With only 40 percent participating during the summer,” said President John Jasinski, “the ceremony lacks the grandeur and gravitas it deserves.”

Jasinski added that the summer ceremony is never on the same level as the other ceremonies, and eliminating it would allow for better spring and fall commencement ceremonies.

Additionally, Mottet said the summer commencement has an annual operational cost of $5,500 to $6,000, not including personnel costs.

“The money will be redirected to meet other students’ needs,” he said.

Although the ceremony has been eliminated, students are still able to graduate in the summer.

“Policies have been created that will allow summer graduates to participate in a winter or spring ceremony,” Motett said. “To accommodate projected enrollment growth, an additional ceremony may be added in the winter or spring schedule based on need.”

Students who are within 18 hours of meeting graduation requirements will be able to walk in the spring.

Jasinski said it is not uncommon for a university to hold three separate ceremonies during the same trimester commencement.