A More Meaningful Commencement

For many years, Phase II of the Tufts' commencement exercise, the awarding of degrees, has been a long, tedious, and, in the opinion of many families, an impersonal affair. Since most students have not experienced it, let me describe it. Up to 1500 names are read off in a ceremony that can last up to two and one half hours. Only the brisk pace of the name reading keeps the ceremony so "short." Once called, students cross the stage in assembly-line fashion. And the guests who can see - rest assured, not too many can -have to pay close attention in order to witness the eight seconds of glory that belong to their graduate.



Students, once recognized, do not generally return to their seats to watch their friends receive their degrees. Indeed, the most notable attribute of Phase II is the general milling around while the ceremony is still underway. Afterwards, the Uuniversity does provide a nice lunch, but the line is incredibly long, and Granny has to sit on the grass to eat it. Students sometimes get to say goodbye to a parting friend or a professor, but they have to find them in the chaos - no easy task.



A new plan for Commencement is now emerging - , a plan that addresses many of the deficiencies in the old system. Under this proposed plan, students from all the Tufts schools will will continue to commence together in Phase I. We will still be together as a community for have community togetherness with remarks from President Bacow, the awarding of honorary degrees, and a high profile commencement speech.



But a new Phase II will will follow in separate ceremonies staggered over the next few hours. Altogether, there will will be 10-ten to12 ceremonies, each comprised of clusters of related departments. Instead of 1500 students crossing the stage at a rapid pace, congratulations will will be offered to between 50 and 250 students at each ceremony (the largest ceremony belonging to Engineering).. With one exception, the venues will will be large indoor spaces. Most important, the ceremonies will will include more personal and intimate moments -handshakes and hugs from faculty members who know the students, the recognition of departmental awards and honors, and real opportunities for students, faculty, and parents to meet.



The new Phase II willould be less rushed and still shorter. And it will will provide all kinds of other benefits. Because the venues are inside, the rain plan will will change. Under the old model, the plan was to get wet. The new plan will will be to stay dry. Because the site lines are so much better in the smaller venues, parents will be able to see and take photographs of the climactic moment. Because of changes in how marching cards will be distributed, students will now be able to sit with their friends in Phase I. This was actually restricted in the previous commencement plan. The Luncheon will be more enjoyable because everyone the whole community will not be descending on the lunch site all at once, and tables and chairs can be set up to accommodate our guests.



It is true that students will not be able to see every one of their friends shake hands with the dean. This is the cost of the new plan. Students, however, will be able to be with all of their friends in Phase I, as well as at the Baccalaureate Ceremony, and will be given a meaningful moment with their professors that was not possible before. It is also true that double majors will have to choose which ceremony to attend,. It should be noted, though, that through because of the staggered times, three-quarters of them will be able to be recognized at more than one ceremony, if they so chose. These downsides are very small compared to the advantages.



These proposed changes do not come out of the blue. They were recommended by the Task Force on the Undergraduate Experience as one concrete way to create more significant moments in the student experience. This proposed plan was shaped in the many meetings the Task Force held with students, faculty, and administrators, and students. These changes also reflect evaluations of many years of Tufts' Commencement exercises, in which students and families have complained about said that the length, conduct, and content of the Phase II ceremony should be more meaningful.



The changes The changes we propose to commencement that are coming to commencement are not being made because the Uuniversity is cutting corners (the new plan will be more expensive). They are not being made because the logistics will be easier (there are lots of moving parts). They are being made because we can do it so much better than we have in the past. Commencement is the last thing we do for our students before they become alumni, and we owe it to students and their families to make it more meaningful.

James M. Glaser is the Dean of Undergraduate Education.