Megaphone (Georgetown, Tex.), Vol. 94, No. 13, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 27, 2000 Page: 4 of 12
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4 January 27, 2000
OPINIONS
Is your diploma worthless?
Computer-generated
diplomas upset
students, diminish
satisfaction of
graduation
Clint Rain
Special to the Megaphone
As I begin my final semester here at SC,
there have heen many changes. In my three
plus years tenure, 1 have seen the construc-
tion of several buildings (as well as the mov-
ing of others), the employment and retire-
ment of several key professors and members
of the administration, and a face-lift to the
academic program such as the elimination
of the traditional First-year Colloquium
However, I feel an even mote important
change is needed. Sadly, many students are
unaware of this injustice. Although it may
seem as if this editorial is only directed to
the seniors, this pertains to every student at
SU whether he or she be a first-year or a sev-
enth-year student. The University fails to
show respect to its students at one of the
most important days in their lives—c om
mcncement. How exactly docs SU do ibis?
By giving its graduates second-rate diplomas.
Modem technology has made many ad-
vances.ITiis technology, however, can some-
times take away the beauty of more tradi-
tional methods The advance in laser print-
ers have lead some universities, including
ours, to start printing their diplomas off these
printers.The more traditional diplomas were
printed on larger parchment (known as
sheepskin) with fancy raised lettering. Now
laser-printed diplomas on average are three
inches smaller in length and width
A Savannah Morning Neivs article on
April 12,1999, stated that “With new diplo-
mas, the graduates'names are smaller, letters
are lighter, and fewer words are elevated."
The article was printed concerning this di-
ploma controversy at (icorgia State Univer-
sity (GSU) and the University of North Caro-
lina at Chapel Hill (UNC). GSU changed to
the cheaper diplomas causing an outrage
among students. UNC considered the change,
hut after students voiced their negative opin-
ions, the university recanted its position on
the laser-printed diplomas.“They did not like
the idea that it was not an engraved diploma,"
stated David Lanier, the UNC registrar "They
want to be able to run their fingers across it
and feel those engraved letters"
Those schools which have turned to the
laser diplomas do so because it is cheaper
and it takes less time. Moreover, these diplo-
mas can be printed much closer to the date
of graduation thus enabling the registrar to
print only the diplomas of those sure to
graduate.
Aside from this, there really is no strong
argument for these “newer" diplomas. Opin-
ion writer R.L. Day remarks, “There is still
({nm^thino irth»*r»*nili' :iKont :l
HuUU'fMtlJ ill otlT 0.
diploma finished on a laser printer”
W'hcn I asked Ron Docrnbach, Southwest
ern University's Registrar, about the diploma
paper he said,“Virtually no one uses sheepskin
or real parchment "But according to the article
in the Savannah Morning News, only 25% of
the universities across the nation use this newer
diploma. Thus, 75% use the traditional parch
ment paper, contrary to what Mr. Doernbach
asserts.
In the course of my interview, Mr. Docrnbach
corrected me insisting that our diplomas “are
NOT smaller than those found at other colleges
and universities.” When one measures our di-
ploma, it is roughly 8 1/2 hy 11, i.e. the size of
notebook paper. This was the size of my high
school diploma.
Most of the diplomas at universities are at
least 11 by 14 if not larger. My mother recently
graduated from a university and her degree was
11 hy 14. Before the laser printed diplomas,
GSU's diplomas measured 14 by 17. Compared
to our diploma, that is a difference of over 144
square inches! Even compared to GSU’s new
laser diplomas of 11 by 14, that is still over 60
square inches difference How much more
money have we paid to attend a private univer-
sity and be rewarded with less!
To his credit, Mr Doernhach did acknowl-
edge that the school has “experienced quality
control problems" with the former diploma pro-
vider and has switched to a new provider this
year. Why were the students not informed so
that THEY could decide what kind of diplomas
would hang on their walls? It is not the
registrar's diploma—it is OUR diploma.
If Southwestern University prides itself on
its academic excellence, why does it not hand
out diplomas that reflect that excellence? Just
peruse the SU web page for statements concern-
ing its excellence
“Fact- In a national survey of 800 high
schools, Texas guidance counselors gave
Southwestern University its highest ratings
in academics."Also,“The leading national lib-
eral arts college in Texas, Southwestern Uni-
versity maintains an unwavering commit-
ment to first-rate academic programs."
The web page states further that “South-
western University has a long tradition of
quality.This tradition has always elicited the
best efforts of those associated with the Uni-
versity and has brought the strong academic
program which exists today.” Clearly, from
these statements alone (and others can be
found as well),SU considers its academic ex-
cellence as one of its top priorities.
So I must ask again, why does SU give
graduating seniors substandard diplomas?
You might be saying to yourself, “Isn't the
term substandard a little harsh?" Just ask
Matt Moore, SU’s former Assistant Director
of Residence Life, who received a SMEARED
diploma at his commencement. Imagine hav-
ing paid close to $100,000 to attend one of
the finest liberal arts universities only to be
rewarded with a smudged diploma.
In conclusion, I hope this editorial serves
a three-fold purpose: l)To help those respon-
sible for ordering and purchasing the diplo-
mas that they might see the errors in their
ways and hopefully rectify this situation by
May. 2) To inform the students at SU as to
the injustice going on, encourage them to
speak out and demand respect for this atroc-
ity, and not settle for this abuse until it is
changed. 3) To make the faculty aware that
their academic excellence is not folly repre-
sented in the diplomas their smdents receive
and ask their help in this endeavor.
Opinion writer R.L. Day sums all of this
up best: “Students sweat for and pay for a
college education, and they deserve a cer-
tificate worthy of their efforts.”
Important message from the Financial Aid Office:
All SU students applying for any need-based financial assistance for the
2000-2001 academic year must complete and submit the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) [or renewal FAFSA] and the Southwest-
ern University Financial Assessment Form (SUFAF) by March I, 2000.
If you completed a FAFSA for 1999-2000, you may have received your
renewal FAFSA at your home address. This form should be reviewed, up-
dated and returned to the federal processor by March 1,2000. If you did not
receive a renewal form you should complete the FAFSA. We encourage you
to complete the FAFSA [or renewal FAFSA] on the web, available at: http:/
/www. fafsa.ed.gov/
If you prefer to complete and submit a paper application, blank FAFSA
forms are available in the Financial Aid Office. Make certain that you desig-
nate Southwestern University, University Avenue, Georgetown, TX as a school
that is to receive the information you provide. Southwestern University’s
code is 003620.
A printable version of the SUFAF is available on the Southwestern Uni-
versity web site. The link to the printable PDF file may be found at: http://
southwestem.edu/admission-finaid/print_admission_and_finaid_fonns.html
You may also pick up a copy of the SUFAF from the Financial Aid Office.
REMEMBER: Both forms must be completed and sent in by March I,
2000. If you are late in submitting your forms, you will lose some of your
financial aid funding!
Please contact the Financial Aid Office at ext. 1259 should you have any
questions.
MTV generation
finds cure for
boredom
Michael Moy
Indiana Daily Student (Indiana U.)
(U-WIRE) BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A new
phrase has entered the world of college fresh-
mcn They are not only required to familiarize
themselves with the words dorm, meal points
and beer funnel, but it appears they must also
know the term “academic disengagement.”
A University of California study of first-time,
foil-time college freshmen revealed that 40 per-
cent of those students were bored during their
senior year in high school. This was the high-
est percentage in the 34-year history of the
study where students were academically dis-
engaged.
And this study is not limited to just Califor-
nia students. The study is a good representa-
tion of the average college freshman because
of its scope.The group that conducted the sur-
vey, the Los Angeles Higher Education Research
Institute, polled more tf in 260,000 students
at 462 two- and four-year schools.And research-
ers theorize that students’ attention spans are
shorter in today's world.
It’s no secret young adults are becoming
more and more a product of an MTV-laccd
world. Information needs to be sliced into bite-
sized consumption, or it risks not being con-
sumed at all. It is truly sad that students could
probably come up with more names for shows
trying to give people a million dollars than they
could come tip with answers on any of those
shows.
Other findings in the study also revealed
that the thirst for knowledge among today's
young adults is not the same as in past genera-
tions. It appears students will only do things if
it will help them reach a personal goal. This
was most apparent when the students were
surveyed about community service.
Although the results of the survey showed
that a record number of high school seniors
were active with community programs during
their last year in high school, they also revealed
only 36 percent of the students thought it was
very important or essential to “influence so-
cial values.”
These numbers make it clear that most stu-
dents have no idea why community service is
important. Perhaps they just lent a helping
hand because it would look good on a college
application.
The point is not to make the freshmen out
to be self-absorbed, self-centered pieces of
dung. They are not the only ones. Our entire
generation is self-absorbed and self-centered.
That will probably never change, but it’s
time some other things did.
Our generation needs to take a long look in
the mirror, and then it needs to smash the glass.
It’s time we gave ourselves a little face-lift, and
the best place to start is wit* a kick in the ass.
We need to become more active in every-
thing we do.The only people who ever become
bored are lazy people. It's time we started giv-
ing our brains a better workout.
Learning is not a bad thing. And this has
nothing to do with studying for class. Studying
can become tedious and nerve-racking, but it
is not the only kind of learning. This world is
foil of ideas that are just waiting for someone
to take L:!______
Now, if it sounds like too much to take on
some new reading materials, watch some tele-
vision. But don’t tunc in to “Judge Judy"or any-
thing that resembles “The Jerry Springer Show."
film on the Discovery Channel or Animal
Planet and learn about why your dog Insists
on humping your leg. If you have no interest
in animals, then tune into CNN and find out
why all the presidential candidates are talking
about a flag on a South Carolina capitol build-
ing.
We need to spend more of our time learn-
ing and less of it merely existing.
We are capable of learning so much about
the world around us.
Let s never be bored again.
.'.V
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Megaphone (Georgetown, Tex.), Vol. 94, No. 13, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 27, 2000, newspaper, January 27, 2000; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth634710/m1/4/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Southwestern University.