Rule enforcement commendable

Each student wearing a cap and gown on May 23 should be able to know that every other similarly attired person on the Green that day has slogged through the introductory classes, struggled in the upper-level classes, fulfilled the distribution requirements, and earned the right to walk across the stage.

Dean of Undergraduate Education James Glaser will ensure that this is the case by enforcing an existing rule that requires all students participating in the Commencement exercise to have achieved or be reasonably close to achieving the requirements for graduation.

The decision to strictly enforce the graduation requirements is commendable, though many students will likely criticize it. The knee-jerk reaction is to question changing a system that seems to have run smoothly. It seems nitpicky to deny students the chance to walk with their friends of four years and the same group of Jumbos with whom they matriculated. However, as Glaser points out, the rule generously allows students who fall just short of the requirements to participate in the ceremony. Students who are short the number of credits that they can earn over the summer or in one more semester will be allowed to walk. This is reasonable, and there is no need for the University to offer any more leeway. To do so would ruin the legitimacy of the Commencement exercise.

The contentious issue that Glaser is tackling proves his worth to Tufts University. He has added controversy, complexity, and many hours of work to his life by questioning the status quo, especially surrounding Commencement. Regardless of whether students agree or disagree with his enforcement of this pre-existing rule, they should respect the willingness he has to make sure that this part of the undergraduate academic experience is as good as it can be. Restoring and preserving the high standard of Commencement will make the close to our undergraduate years much more rewarding.