Graduation practice nixed

Graduating seniors received e-mails last week from university registrar Sherry Hood notifying them that the rehearsal for the May graduation ceremony was cancelled.

Hood and Glenda Rooney, associate vice president of Parent and Constituent Relations, made the final decision to cancel graduation practices, according to Rooney. However, a Web site was developed detailing graduation procedures for seniors to prevent confusion.

"We felt that developing a Web site and coming up with a better rehearsal scenario for the students who serve as faculty marshals to lead students, faculty and platform parties into the stadium would be a much better effort," Rooney said.

According to Hood, practice was cancelled primarily for two reasons: using the Web site, www.jmu.edu/commencement, for better organization and a historically low turnout in past graduation practices.

In explaining the reasons for the cancellation, Hood said that in past commencements, "The main problem has been keeping the lines [of the graduates] formed down through the aisle, this year, ropes will be secured to keep the lines in order."

According to Rooney, there never has been a significant turnout at past practices.

"We decided to cancel [graduation practices] because we simply were not getting the numbers of students to turnout for rehearsal to make it a worthwhile endeavor," Rooney said.

Because the Web site was established to address any confusions related to the day of graduation, Hood and Rooney agreed that the practices weren't necessary.

Some seniors have differing opinions about the change.

"It's just a hassle not knowing what is going on," senior Jennifer Smith said. "It (the change) should have been explained more clearly — the e-mail sent is very generic."

However, some of the graduating seniors said the decision to eliminate graduation practices has no effect on them.

"I think practice would have been beneficial, but it wouldn't really have been attended," senior April White said. Senior Steve Wellington agreed, saying, "I wouldn't have gone anyway."

Senior Jennifer Jones said, "I think it is better for it to be cancelled because of how busy graduation is, plus last-minute celebrations and finals."

On the Web site, seniors can find information about the main ceremony, the satellite ceremonies for each specific college and a map of the seating arrangements, as well as directions and parking information.

Rooney said an animated Web site that will show how commencement will take place currently is being developed. According to Rooney and Bill Wilson, director of the Madison Institute, the animated site was started last weekend and should be done by Monday or Tuesday of next week. Wilson said all seniors will receive e-mails upon the Web site's completion. Assistant band director Brantley Douglas is in charge of the animation, which will be done in Quicktime or Realtime format, Wilson said.

"The animated site will show the processional from line-up area through the two gates and into the seating area," Rooney said.

Wilson said he thinks this is the most effective way to prepare for graduation ceremonies.
"The e-mail and Web site are the way to go. They [will give students] more information then ever before," Wilson said.

Commencement begins at 9 a.m. May 4 at Bridgeforth Stadium. According to the Web site, seniors will graduate as a group at the main ceremony and then will be recognized individually at the satellite ceremonies at 11:30 a.m. This year's commencement speakers are Virginia Gov. Mark Warner and senior Kate Mercke.

Rooney says she is optimistic about this year's graduation and looks forward to graduation day.
"We've got some great planning that has taken place and we're very excited that Gov. Warner is speaking," Rooney said.

—assistant news editor Khalil Garriott contributed to this story