Timing of commencement to change

Timing of commencement to change

In an effort to provide an opportunity for more students to attend commencement and to control the cost of room and board, Penn State’s graduation ceremonies will be held immediately after the final exam period beginning with the spring semester in 2012, eliminating the weeklong gap that has been observed in the past. Penn State also will change the way diplomas are packaged and distributed, beginning in the summer of 2011. Penn State President Graham B. Spanier discussed the changes at the Board of Trustees meeting in DuBois today (July 9).

University Registrar Karen Schultz said the movement of commencement to the end of finals week will bring Penn State into line with a majority of the schools in the Big Ten, where similar schedules are in place.

“We looked at a number of peer institutions that already are doing this,” Schultz said. “Graduating students who are rushing out to graduate school or new careers may now be able to attend their graduation ceremony before they leave campus. This also will eliminate a week of use in the residence halls for some of our students, and it will save money and help us to control room and board costs in the future.”

The change also will add another week each summer for the possible use of residence halls and other facilities for conferences and other events that draw people into Centre County and help the local economy. Spanier also indicated to the trustees that since the change will reduce the amount of down-time for students between the end of final exams and commencement, it will help in the University's ongoing efforts to combat dangerous drinking.

In addition to changes in commencement schedules, Penn State will change its diploma distribution and packaging methods.

Currently, all students who graduate in summer and fall have their diplomas mailed to them, while diplomas are available for students to pick up at spring commencement. Beginning in 2012, students who graduate in spring will receive their diplomas in the mail, as well.

Also, beginning in the summer of 2011, the University will distribute diplomas to students by mail in a protective cardboard sleeve. The padded diploma case currently used by the University is more expensive to purchase and distribute, and can be damaged in the mail.

“The reason for our decision to package diplomas differently is primarily because we will realize a cost savings, but it also is true that a certain number of the diplomas we send in the mail arrive damaged. The protective tubes that we intend to use are much smaller and will fit into mailboxes more easily.”

She said students who wish to purchase padded diploma cases will be provided with specific ordering information as the summer of 2011 approaches.