West Chester University’s President Dr. Greg Weisenstein released a statement earlier today announcing the return to the two-commencement system followed in previous years.
Citing student preference to have an unlimited number of guests, and the inability for an indoor commencement to meet such a preference, the university has canceled plans for an indoor commencement separated by college.
The proposed plan called for commencement ceremonies divided by college, taking place in either Hollinger Field House or Asplundh Concert Hall. The plan limited the number of guests each student could bring to commencement to three or four in most cases.
A survey conducted by the university found that out of 1,112 graduating seniors, 28 percent preferred option 1, the indoor, individual college commencement model. 72 percent preferred option 2, the previous outdoor model.
The university originally considered the move to an indoor commencement because of potential weather problems. Inclement weather cut the spring 2014 commencement short, resulting in an abridged commencement held in Hollinger field house several days later. Strong winds also blew over a speaker, injuring one student.
The commencement ceremony for the Colleges of Business & Public Affairs, Education and Health Sciences will take place at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 9. The commencement ceremony for the Colleges of Arts & Sciences and Visual & Performing Arts will occur at 10:00 am on Sunday, May 10.
Adam Farence is a fourth-year student majoring in history and French. He can be reached at AF764146@wcupa.edu.