2008 Woodie Awards
Plans for extra graduation tickets originate with WSG legislation
Amy Eschenbauch
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: News
Whitewater Student Government recently passed a piece of legislation to change fall commencement ceremonies.
WSG would like to add 1,000 seats to the December ceremony because there is room for students to be offered more.
"After spending four or five years at UW-Whitewater, students should be assured that anyone they would like to invite to their commencement ceremony is welcome," Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Director Justin O'Rourke said.
The legislation was put together by O'Rourke, along with Sen. Laura Plamann, and former Sen. Kraig Rueth.
"It was submitted last year at the last meeting, and it passed," Plamann said. "Justin did a lot; he undertook the whole project."
Every semester there are students who want extra tickets. The graduating seniors receive five tickets regardless how many they may need.
"I would definitely support additional tickets,"alumna Sara-Emily Steadman said. "I needed about three extra tickets I didn't get. I would be willing to pay more for the additional tickets."
Plamann, who will be graduating in May, thinks it is time to change.
"I am going to need to get more tickets," she said. "We are in a position to do something, and we thought it was time to make a change."
Currently when students want extra tickets, they are entered in a lottery system. Depending on when their number is called, they may get an extra ticket, and they may not.
"Right now the ticket lottery is really unfair for the people who really want it," Plamann said.
WSG wants administration to fund ways to fund the expansion without raising the commencement costs.
While working on the legislation O'Rourke met with several administrators, including Dean of Student Life Tisa Mason, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Barb Jones, and got statistics from Assistant Dean of Student Life Mary Beth Mackin.
The legislation has to be submitted to the commencement committee to make the final decision. The legislation also asks the committee to find alternate ways to fund the extra seats without raising the walking fee.
"In December not too many people graduate, so 1,000 people will go a long way," WSG President Nick Santilli said. "It is a realistic request because they have a space, if you are senior you put in a lot of work, and you should be able to share it with your loved ones."
WSG would like to add 1,000 seats to the December ceremony because there is room for students to be offered more.
"After spending four or five years at UW-Whitewater, students should be assured that anyone they would like to invite to their commencement ceremony is welcome," Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Director Justin O'Rourke said.
The legislation was put together by O'Rourke, along with Sen. Laura Plamann, and former Sen. Kraig Rueth.
"It was submitted last year at the last meeting, and it passed," Plamann said. "Justin did a lot; he undertook the whole project."
Every semester there are students who want extra tickets. The graduating seniors receive five tickets regardless how many they may need.
"I would definitely support additional tickets,"alumna Sara-Emily Steadman said. "I needed about three extra tickets I didn't get. I would be willing to pay more for the additional tickets."
Plamann, who will be graduating in May, thinks it is time to change.
"I am going to need to get more tickets," she said. "We are in a position to do something, and we thought it was time to make a change."
Currently when students want extra tickets, they are entered in a lottery system. Depending on when their number is called, they may get an extra ticket, and they may not.
"Right now the ticket lottery is really unfair for the people who really want it," Plamann said.
WSG wants administration to fund ways to fund the expansion without raising the commencement costs.
While working on the legislation O'Rourke met with several administrators, including Dean of Student Life Tisa Mason, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Barb Jones, and got statistics from Assistant Dean of Student Life Mary Beth Mackin.
The legislation has to be submitted to the commencement committee to make the final decision. The legislation also asks the committee to find alternate ways to fund the extra seats without raising the walking fee.
"In December not too many people graduate, so 1,000 people will go a long way," WSG President Nick Santilli said. "It is a realistic request because they have a space, if you are senior you put in a lot of work, and you should be able to share it with your loved ones."
Be the first to comment on this story