Graduation Location Changed Back to the Quad

By: Stacey Axler and Catherine Collins

The location of the 2012 graduation ceremony has been changed to occur on the traditional venue of the residential quad.

This decision occurred after a Jan. 30 meeting between the senior class officers and the Hood senior administrators, in which the senior class officers discussed the preference held by many seniors, underclassmen and alumni to hold graduation on the quad.

“It was great to work with the senior staff. We had a very productive meeting and we are lucky to have such great advocates for students here at Hood,” said Zeppa Kreager, president of the senior class.

The administration had initially decided to hold graduation in the arena in the new athletic center. This decision had been made without consulting any students.

A large part of the senior class communicated their preferred location for graduation to Kreager, who could then show that there was overwhelming support for having graduation on the quad.

The senior officers were able to strike a compromise with the administration: the ceremony will be held on the quad, but not under a tent; in case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the arena.

This is the first year that the ceremony will be held in the open air.

“The absence of a tent affords the College the opportunity to provide additional seating for friends and family members as well as greater opportunities for socializing and photographs,” President Ronald Volpe said in a written “Message from the President” statement.

The cost of renting and setting up a tent (approximately $25,000) had been one reason why the administration wanted to use the new indoor arena.

Nonetheless, the senior class was able to effectively voice its collective opinion and reach a compromise.