OpinionsEditorials

Student input dismissed

On March 14, the University announced a change in venue for spring 2018 commencement, from Citizen’s Business Bank Arena to Campus West.

The announcement came via official email – as a done deal.

In response, Kassandra Yepez, senior business administration major, drafted a petition asking that student voices be heard regarding the decision. The conflict surrounding this change reveals a larger problem of transparency between ULV’s administration and its student body. In this case there was a lack of communications between commencement organizers and graduating students.

Students had expected that their graduation would take place at Citizen’s Business Bank Arena, as it had since 2012, only to be notified of the venue change halfway through their last semester of college. It is evident through the petition, to date signed by 600 students, that students’ main concern was that they felt blindsided by the decision.

The official email, from Associate Dean of Student Affairs Ruby Montaño-Cordova, explained that the University had always planned to bring commencement back to campus. However, in a recent interview, Montaño-Cordova told the Campus Times that she had considered other off-campus venues, such as the Fairplex and Ontario Convention Center for spring graduation as well.

The official message also indicated that CBBA had raised its price this year, which is probably what prompted the University to explore other venues in the first place. The University could have avoided student pushback – before it started – by bringing students into the conversation before the decision was made, through hosting open forums, or inviting student government representatives into the discussion early on.

Campus Safety, for example, hosted at least six open forums for students and faculty regarding safety equipment. The methods employed in the case of commencement would not have to be identical. They simply have to allow room for student voices without treating them as an afterthought.

Other Stories

Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Campus Times Editorial Board.

Previous article
Spring Celebration event features egg hunt
Next article
Community gathers for Passover meal

Latest Stories

Related articles

Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

As a graduate of the University of La Verne and an adjunct professor here for the past 26 years, I would like to express my opinions regarding certain issues I feel are important to the University.
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor

The student-run grassroots organization Lordsburg Liberation urges the University to reform its inadequate ICE policy in response to escalating aggression of immigration enforcement in the surrounding areas.
News

President Dickson shares vision for ULV

After nearly two years serving as interim president, Risa Dickson was officially named 20th president of the University of La Verne earlier this month. 
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

The Associated Students of the University of La Verne, in collaboration with the Graduate and Adult Student Government, recognize significant concerns regarding the university’s calendar transition that warrant broader campus attention.