The Rice Thresher, Vol. 93, No. 24, Ed. 1 Friday, March 31, 2006 Page: 5 of 24
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THE RICE THRESHER NEWS FRIDAY, MARCH 31,2006
DIPLOMAS
From page 1
to mail them, they will be able to
do the work during the summer
when they have fewer responsi-
bilities.
Since the faculty does not
approve graduates until the
week before commencement,
students — particularly graduate
students — will benefit because
they will not have to pay for
replacement diplomas, Tenney
said.
In the past, the Registrar's
Office has had to order diplo-
mas by the first week of March,
which requires estimating which
students will receive each honors
distinction and which degree each
student will earn, Tenney said.
Occasionally students change
their degrees — usually from
a bachelor's of science to a
bachelor's of arts because they
do not have enough credit hours
— after the Registrar's Office has
submitted the list of graduates to
the diploma printers.
In addition, the University
Standing Committee on Exami-
nations and Standing formally
approves honors designations
the week before commencement.
Incorrect diplomas have to be de-
stroyed and new ones ordered.
Graduate students who cannot
defend their theses by gradu-
ation also have their diplomas
destroyed. Although Rice pays for
the first diploma, students who do
not graduate when they expected
or with the degree they specified
have to pay for new diplomas,
which cost about $120 each.
Tenney said that in past years,
about 30 percent of graduates
' Whether or not
you get a piece
of sheepskin [at
commencement I
marking your
graduation is not as
important as going
through the act itself.'
— Zachary McI>emore
Mattel College senior
did not receive diplomas at com-
mencement because of changes
in honors status or degree. While
Rice pays for diplomas that have
to be re-ordered due to changes
in honors status, Tenney said cost
was not a significant reason for
the change.
Tenney said the decision to
mail diplomas was made in Feb-
ruary after he spoke with other
administrators, recent graduates
and students.
"We've been in conversation
with students and it's been talked
about in an ad hoc basis for about
a year," Tenney said.
Former Student Association
President James Lloyd, a Brown
College senior, said he gathered
opinion from seniors after Ten-
ney told him of the idea. Lloyd
said response to the change was
significantly positive.
"Most people found it to be a
convenient (change)," Lloyd said.
"Most people didn't know we got
our diplomas 1 at commencement ]
in the first place. Upon learning
about the new idea, they thought
it would be helpful."
Of five seniors interviewed
Wednesday, four said they did not
mind not receiving their diplomas
at commencement.
Martel College senior Zachary
McLemore said commencement
is more significant than just
receiving a diploma.
"The important thing is the
ceremony," McLemore said.
"Whether or not you get a piece
of sheepskin there marking your
graduation is not as important as
going through the act itself."
Jones College senior Rachel
Wyatt said she is disappointed
she will not receive her diploma
in May.
"I hate that it's our year that has
to be the guinea pigs," Wyatt said.
"I would like to have my diploma
on graduation day. I've waited five
years, so it would be nice to have
it in hand."
Tenney said the decision to
mail diplomas is unrelated to the
enrollment increase for 2009.
"I realize that we're a small
school, and there are still a good
number of small schools who give
actual diplomas, but a majority of
schools [mail diplomas]," Ten-
ney said.
Tenney said graduates should
update their permanent addresses
in ESTHER. Since the diplomas
will be sent via certified mail,
someone must sign to accept the
package.
Other changes
There will also be other chang-
es to commencement this year.
Graduate students will sit with
students from their department
rather than just in alphabetical
order. In addition, doctoral degree
recipients will have their hooding
ceremony the day before com-
mencement at which they will
be hooded by faculty members of
their choice. Doctoral graduates
will still have their names read and
will walk across the stage at the
commencement ceremony.
'What we heard loud
and clear from many
of those [graduates] is
that they would prefer
their diplomas he
mailed ...so they get it
safely.'
— David Tenney (Sid '87)
Registrar
"This will make commence-
ment a little faster and will give
them the honor they're due at a
separate ceremony the day be-
fore," Tenney said.
MARSHALL ROBINSON/THRESHER
Engineering day
A high school student watches a marble go around a small-scale
roller coaster. The exhibit was part of Rice and Austin College
Engineering Day March 24. The Society of Hispanic Professional
Engineers hosted 30 high school students for the event.
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Brown, David. The Rice Thresher, Vol. 93, No. 24, Ed. 1 Friday, March 31, 2006, newspaper, March 31, 2006; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth443123/m1/5/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.