Commencement exercises remain unchanged

As commencement exercises near for graduating seniors, misinformation has been circulating on campus regarding possible changes to the event. The correct information is that the Health Science Center will continue the tradition of holding separate commencement events for each school.

The Health Science Center's Executive Committee for several years explored ways to make the five schools become more cohesive and multidisciplinary as a single health science university. The committee focused this exploration on the Health Science Center's missions: teaching, research, patient care and service. The thought was that a single commencement ceremony, coupled with separate school celebrations for graduating students, their families and friends, would convey to graduates the concept that each health professional is part of the health-care team. Selection of the commencement speaker, and the speaker's comments, would further reinforce this idea.

At its April 18 meeting, the committee considered all the issues surrounding commencement 2001 and decided that it is in the best interest of the graduates, their families and friends to maintain the tradition of holding separate commencement exercises for each school. Each of the five Health Science Center schools will decide whether to hold its commencement exercise at Laurie Auditorium or in the Health Science Center's auditorium.