The Graduate Salute: A Waste of Time?

The three-day event left many looking for moreby Seymone Kelly.Last week was a bittersweet moment for seniors. “The 2012 Graduate Salute,” organized by the Career Center, gave them a chance to buy their cap and gown, purchase diploma frames and take or schedule graduation photos.Though the three-day event was well-organized and well attended, many students felt like it was not a good use of their time. When asked if she got anything informative from it, MCA major Chantal Turnbull said “No, I just went for my cap and gown, then I left.” Most students did the same and had they known that there was an option to buy it online, the majority of them wouldn’t have come.When Raven Robinson, a political science major, was asked if she felt that the salute was necessary, her response was a simply said “no.” She believes that there should be a section dedicated to meet with advisers to make sure everything is fine with credits and grades.What was not mentioned at the graduate salute was how important it is to make sure you are graduating. Some students in attendance didn’t realize that before graduation they have to go to their department to make sure everything is in order. Others will be able to walk for the commencement ceremony, but won’t graduate. That means they will need to take classes in the summer or fall if they failed a class this semester. As grades won’t be available until after finals, some people are on the edge and unsure if they will be done with school or coming back for an additional course. In good news for would-be graduates, even if you have two classes left, you can take them after this semester is over but won’t receive your degree until the following semester.Perhaps next year, the one-stop-for-all event can inform students about what they need to know beyond cap and gown sizes.