In a letter to the university community, Provost Michael Galyean confirmed Tuesday that August commencement ceremonies will continue to take place at Texas Tech University.
The elimination of August ceremonies was proposed in October to accommodate the growing number of Texas Tech graduates.
“In response to the numerous concerns expressed regarding elimination of the August Commencement ceremonies, it has been decided to retain the annual August events. We expect those ceremonies to follow the single-day schedule that we now use,” Galyean wrote in the letter.
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Other changes will occur, however. At this time, guests of Texas Tech graduates do not have to RSVP to attend commencement ceremonies in May, August or December.
“When our ceremonies reach absolute capacity for the United Supermarkets Arena, we will begin to use software that will allow for use of an RSVP system,” Galyean wrote in the letter.
The university also asked for feedback in its initial letter about requiring commencement speakers to be selected from Texas Tech faculty or staff members.
Instead, speakers will be recommended to the university president by a committee of faculty, staff, students and alumni, according to the letter.
Changes will not take effect until the December 2018 ceremonies.
Below is the full letter:
TO: Texas Tech University Community
FROM: Dr. Michael Galyean, Provost
DATE: December 19, 2017
SUBJECT: Proposed Changes to Commencement Ceremonies
During the fall semester, our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and administration have been engaging in discussions centered around retaining our valued Commencement traditions, while also accommodating our growing number of graduates. Texas Tech University thanks everyone who submitted responses to the proposal to modify our annual Commencement ceremonies. We have listened to your responses and write today to provide you with our Commencement redesign plan. Please note that these changes will not take effect until the December 2018 ceremonies.
In response to the numerous concerns expressed regarding elimination of the August Commencement ceremonies, it has been decided to retain the annual August events. We expect those ceremonies to follow the single-day schedule that we now use.
Our ceremonies will continue to include individual name recognition of graduates, along with the opportunity for each graduate to shake hands with the President and Stage Party members. When our ceremonies reach absolute capacity for the United Supermarkets Arena, we will begin to use software that will allow for use of an RSVP system. Finally, further respecting the input we received, Commencement speakers will be recommended to the President by a committee comprised of faculty, staff, alumni, and students.
Thanks for your support of our university’s valued Commencement ceremonies. We appreciate your investment in the process of redesigning some components of the ceremonies to accommodate our institution’s increasing number of graduates.
