New Approach to Graduation

Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) has had a tradition. Every year at the commencement ceremony, a professional keynote speaker has graced the stage and motivated the graduates to pursue their dreams. For the 2011 graduation ceremony, however, a keynote speaker will not be speaking at the ceremony.

This decision was made by the "senior leadership," according to Scott Faust, Executive Director of Strategic Communications at CSUMB and it was made to "[focus] the program on the students and their accomplishments. Not all schools have speakers… and we wanted to take a different approach." The senior leadership he mentions is President Dianne Harrison and the school Vice Presidents.

"The timing and availability of different speakers usually varies and this year the senior leadership team discussed and decided that the option of highlighting the student speaker and having more time for me to relay stories of student success was a good option," President Harrison said. "I am looking forward to another wonderful Commencement and I am sure it will be a great day for our students and their families," she added.

Unlike most cuts on college campuses, this was not a funding issue. In fact, CSUMB and the CSU System do not pay a fee to their speakers.

Students and faculty have shown outrage at this decision. SBS Professor Rebecca Bales brought up the situation in her classroom. "Students are very upset about this. Many did not know about the decision and feel that their graduation experience will be lacking," she said. Faust believes, "a change can be upsetting, but I hope everyone sees it will still be a very dignified, meaningful celebration and just as great as it has ever been."

Faust saw the constant evolving of the event as a reason to not communicate this news directly to the campus community. "There is always fine-tuning to the event and I think changes made aren't seen as needing a specific proactive communication," Faust said.

Instead, Professor Bales found out about the decision from the Sunday newspaper, not a CSUMB source. "I have to admit I did become angry about this when I learned about it... The first reason has to do with students and their graduation experience. I think keynote speakers at graduations are an important part of this experience because they are meant to impart wisdom and inspire students," she said.

Faust believes that this wisdom and inspiration will come from the student speaker, Scott Bell, senior, Psychology, and President Dianne Harrison. Bell is conflicted on the issue. "It's not too big of a deal, I guess," he said. "It's cool if other students get to speak, but it would be nice to hear a professional speak. A pro speaker would be helpful and inspirational."

Another cause for frustration is "that the decision was made and students, faculty and the community were informed just weeks before the ceremony is unconscionable. To my knowledge, students were not consulted about this decision," Professor Bales said. And Faust does not dismiss the idea of consulting the students for the future. "It's a fair question and something that can be considered in the future," he said.

Overall, this year's graduation will not be lacking due to this change. "The goal is to have an outstanding event for the students and to make sure to celebrate for the students," Faust explained. "It's not about taking away from the students and families. It's a new approach at making the event as meaningful as it can be."