This situation is something that actually affects the ENTIRE senior class...and a lot of the senior class actually is attending class this afternoon, unfortunately. Making a show of solidarity is difficult with so few people even ABLE to attend. We may lose some of our momentum, but I prefer to ask students to not come rally, rather than request them to come and only a small contingent of supporters to arrive.
Secondly, the administration on Monday and Wednesday proclaimed that within THREE WEEKS, students would be presented with choices for their graduation ceremony (after a committee had been chosen and it had weighed/evaluated ALL possible options using some sort of process).
Twenty-one days.
We're going to to give them their three weeks. Hopefully, we will not need to force the administration to follow its word. If we do, however, I trust the senior class will actually come together then -- at a time when we can truly show the administration how united we are.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Rally Postponed.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Friendly Student Rally: Thursday 1/17, 2 - 3:15pm
The administration has one forum and indicated that a committee will be re-evaluating all options. We look forward to getting more specific information at tonight's forum.
We must ensure, however, that the administration is aware of the importance of STUDENT INVOLVEMENT, TRANSPARENCY, EXPLANATIONS, and a TIMELINE! Ideally graduation would be at the Big House -- if not, we want evidence of a careful evaluation of ALL on-campus options!
If the administration provides us with this information and commitment at tonight's forum, we will not need to make a further large showing of unity. However, if they do not, we must show the administration and the Regents that our call for action is widespread. Our presence at an organizing meeting and the administration's first forum has been excellent so far. However, there are hundreds of more students whose voices may not be heard.
Greet the Regents: A Friendly Mass Student Rally before the Regent's meeting tomorrow, Thursday, January 17. We will gather by the Cube from 2:00 to 3:15pm, in a peaceful show of solidarity and commitment to finding a solution acceptable to all. This is an excellent issue which the administration and students can work on together and we encourage the administration to define a transparent process and timeline for decision-making, information release, and student involvement.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Monday Forum Highlights: "Big House is Still an Option"
1/14 -- Angell Hall Aud B (location was changed this morning)
Administrators Present: E. Royster Harper, Vice President for Student Affairs, Susan M. Eklund (Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs),
Kelly Cunningham (UM spokesperson), Michelle Pate (Events Director, University and Development Events), and one other unnamed official
~ 175 students present
This was publicized as the first opportunity for students to get answers from the administration. Editors of this website continue to wait, however, for substantial reasoning and evidence of a clear process to move us forward.
Takeaways:
- The Big House is being reconsidered as a possible graduation site. (!)
- The administration recognizes its mistakes and Vice President Harper made a sincere, unqualified apology.
- A committee made up of yet-to-be-named administrators and students will "reevaluate all options." (There is, however, no defined timeline, committee membership list, or committee structure.)
- The administrators present had no analysis of the feasibility of various graduation sites (including the Big House and Rynearson Stadium), nor did they have a complete list of possible alternative sites. Ms. Cunningham promised these analyses would be available "soon," but did not explain how they would be presented to the public or who was carrying out the analysis.
Vice President Harper:
- Apologized for the lack of personal response to emails, saying that administrators were spending their time remedying the situation and did not intend to disrespect those who had emailed them.
- Emphasized that administrators heard students' frustration and respected students' opinions.
- Trenches on the east and west wides of the stadium and 80' holes because of foundation construction work
- "All" water, electricity, and sewer systems will be unavailable.
- The tunnel may be unavailable, making field access difficult
- Number of entrances to stadium may be restricted, making emergency evacuation difficult
- Expected at least 31,000 attendees
- Concerned primarily with allowing each graduate to have eight tickets and with seating family and friends together
- Needed a wheelchair-accessible venue
- Wanted a venue that would allow graduates to return for other on-campus ceremonies during the day
- Stressed that we have a lot of time to make these decisions and encouraged students to get involved
- Indicated that any decision would likely be made in the next three weeks
- Suggested that students may be involved through yet-to-be-determined surveys and possible votes.
- Explained that MSA will appoint students to the yet-to-be-formed commencement committee.
90 minute Q&A - Student comments and questions covered a variety of topics:
- Students emphasized their respect for EMU and its generous offer, but made clear that their graduation ceremony is part of Michigan tradition and is significant largely because it takes place on their own campus.
- They shared ideas for making the Big House usable, suggested alternate venues, and volunteered their own resources to make a Big House ceremony possible.
- They challenged the administrators to provide specific reasoning and timelines for construction and decision-making.
- They expressed their displeasure that neither President Coleman nor a representative of the construction company was available to answer specific questions.
Forum Update
The administration's forums will be in Angell Hall Auditorium B tonight at 4pm and Wednesday at 5pm.
Check back here by 11pm each night for transcripts of the forums -- even if you can't make it to the forums, stay informed!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Friday Update
The rally (planned for Tuesday) will be postponed until further notice. The administration today announced two forums:
...to help us review the alternative venues and the tradeoffs associated with each. Open forums are scheduled for Monday, January 14 at 4:00 pm and Wednesday, January 16 at 5:00 pm. Both meetings will be held in the MSA Chambers, 3909 Michigan Union.We recognize the administration is now making efforts to hear student voices and we will wait until later next week to take more visible action if necessary. By attending the two forums and a Regents' meeting next week, we hope to get a clear explanation of the decision-making process, solid reasoning, and specific answers from the administration.
After Monday's and Wednesday's forums with the administration, a transcript of the forum will be posted on bighouse08.blogspot.com by 11pm, so that everyone will have a chance to see the answers that the administration provides.
On Thursday, we will have a student meeting for anyone to voice any additional concerns and questions that were not satisfied by the two forums. Location and time TBA.
We students have come together and have made the administration realize that we are not satisfied with the decision that has been handed down. This is only the beginning!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Take Action in Person
We are quickly coming together to form a unified force to get answers and seek a viable, acceptable solution! Congratulations on acting quickly to achieve change and seek transparency. In response to our initial coverage, students were featured on Fox2News' "NewsEdge" Wednesday at 11pm and WJR Radio today at 10am. Articles are in the Michigan Daily [article, multiple opinions] and the Detroit News and the Free Press [DetNews, FP1, FP2].
**Organizing Meeting this Friday 1/11, 5pm, located in MSA Chambers (Michigan Union 3rd Floor).
We shall share plans, voice our reactions, and devise a unified strategy, including our mass meeting and response to the administration (which is now planning a forum for next Wednesday).
**MASS STUDENT RALLY: Next Tuesday, 1/15, 6pm, on the Diag
This is where every student who comes will make a difference! Let us join together to show that we have a voice and we CARE about OUR commencement and the decisions surrounding it!
If you have ideas and plans for action: COME FRIDAY
To voice your opinion and show that you stand together with your fellow students: COME TUESDAY
Strength In Unity. If, together, we are hundreds of voices speaking as one, we will be that much more credible and effective. JOIN THE EFFORT!
Petitions and Letters....
We encourage you to get involved with letters and petitions; here are a few. In addition, get involved in person starting on Friday! Please remember that this site does not necessarily endorse the views expressed below but strongly encourages free expression of all opinions.
1 of 3: Online Petition Circulated by Michigan Student Assembly:
The University of Michigan family has called the Big House home for generations. Not only is it home to the winningest football program in college football history, it is also the greatest symbol of Michigan tradition.
The decision to hold the 2008 Spring Commencement ceremony away from the Big House and away from our campus is unacceptable to students. We are disappointed to see the lack of student input and disregard for this crowning celebration of our achievements. As members of the Michigan Student Assembly, we are equally outraged by the lack of foresight demonstrated by the University.
We are actively engaging the University administration and seeking a solution to this problem. We will fight to have the University re-evaluate every possible option. In this re-evaluation process, there must be greater transparency and a strong united voice. There is strength in numbers, and even for students not in the Class of 2008 the University's final decision will have an effect.
As Wolverines, we all look forward to our chance to walk across the stage and sing "The Victors" one last time as students in the Big House.
Join the effort and sign the petition to force the University to honor this Michigan tradition. Sign it at: www.bighousegraduation.com.
MSA Rep. Gibran Baydoun, MSA Rep. Stella Binkevich, MSA Vice President Nate Fink, Former MSA Rep. Jen Hsu
2 of 3: Open Letter from 3 Members of the Class of 2008:
An Open Letter to Provost Sullivan, Vice President of Student Affairs Harper, and President Coleman,
Four years ago we made one of the most important decisions of our lives. We chose to attend the University of Michigan, where we hoped to become a part of the maize and blue tradition. A tradition long held by countless other alumni who have proudly ended their Michigan careers at the Big House.
The move of Spring Commencement from the Big House is nothing less than an open disregard for Michigan tradition and the Class of 2008. First and foremost we are disappointed with the administration’s decision to move graduation to Eastern Michigan University’s Rynearson Stadium without any input from the Class of 2008.
Graduation is a time to honor our four years of hard work and our achievements at the University. If a tradition must be compromised, we deserve to have a voice. I ask then, having learned about the unavailability of the Big House last month, why did the administration not inform students until now? Why were we not a part of the process in choosing alternative locations for our graduation?
Second, unless all options have been exhausted, there should be no consideration of any location other than Michigan Stadium for our commencement ceremonies. We expect more from the administration than simply citing construction and the disruption of utilities as reasons to compromise our graduation. What exact options has the administration explored? Is there a possibility that construction can be halted to allow for graduation? Again we the students deserve to know these answers. Until the administration provides these answers, the Class of 2008 will not allow graduation to be anywhere other than the Big House.
I sincerely ask the administration to reconsider their decision to move Spring Commencement from the Big House. I urge the administration to consider all possible options to keep Spring Commencement at Michigan Stadium before exploring any other possibilities. At the very least, Spring Commencement should be held on the University of Michigan Campus. If the administration thinks the Class of 2008 will remain passive as we sit back and be robbed of our graduation ceremony at the Big House, they are dead wrong. We have worked four hard years toward our diploma and it is our time to shine at the Big House. The Michigan Difference is in our hands and we will not allow it to be compromised.
We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Robert Gasior
LSA Class of 2008
Michael V. Radtke Jr.
LSA Class of 2008
Kelly Wang
Ross School of Business Class of 2008
3 of 3: Letter Template from seniors Rachel Prior and Paul Tassi
My name is (insert name). I am an/a (alumni of the University of Michigan, relative of a student attending the university, member of the Ann Arbor community, affiliate with Ford Motor Company…) writing in regards to the announcement that spring commencement will be held at Eastern Michigan's Rynearson Stadium. I am extremely disappointed in the administration's decision to hold commencement at a facility other than the Big House.
The members of the graduating class of 2008 have worked extremely hard, not to mention the fact that their families have contributed substantial financial amounts to this institution. It is an insult that the administration would deprive them of their right to commemorate graduation in the appropriate and traditional fashion. I, for one, was looking forward to watching my (son, daughter, grandchild, close friend) walk on the field at Michigan Stadium and I know they were just as excited at the prospect. It is a kind gesture for Eastern to offer their stadium, but another college is not an appropriate location for a University of Michigan graduation, the institution has too rich of a tradition to watch it be casually discarded with little thought to those involved.
As an/a (alumni of the University of Michigan, relative of a student attending the university, member of the Ann Arbor community, affiliate with Ford Motor Company…) I would like to see the university make the appropriate provisions to provide for a spring commencement in the Big House, the only place I want my (son, daughter, grandchild, close friend) to graduate. The administration's final decision regarding this matter will have a significant effect on my charitable contributions in the future.
Sincerely,
Your Name Here
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Graduate at the Big House...
We are registering as an official student organization, Graduate At The Big House.
Fox2 News at 11pm will feature a piece about graduation tonight (Wednesday) at the top of the hour - check it out for student reactions. The Michigan Daily and the Detroit Free Press will feature pieces on the issue tomorrow.
We are serving as a unifying group for all student voices. Email bighouse08@umich.edu to join our mailing list.
We will have an organizing meeting FRIDAY at 5pm . On Friday, we shall share plans, voice our reactions, and devise a unified strategy including a mass student meeting on Tuesday. Latest news suggests that the the administration is (belatedly) planning an open forum for later next week. If, together, we have hundreds of students behind us, we will be that much more credible and effective. JOIN THE EFFORT!
Wednesday Morning Update
this group has reached the news: -michigan daily-
group organizing meeting -- friday january 11 5pm -- email bighouse08@umich.edu if you are interested
campus-wide student MASS MEETING-- early next week - check back for details
to join the mailing list or send comments, email bighouse08@umich.edu. letters may be posted on the site.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
And the News Comes In...
... After exploring all other options, the planning committee has decided to hold the all-University ceremony nearby at Rynearson Stadium at Eastern Michigan University. ... This alternative venue is the best option available to us this spring because it is close to our campus; it offers the capacity to continue to provide eight tickets for each undergraduate degree recipient and four tickets for each graduate degree recipient; and it has excellent parking. .....The Michigan Daily reports:
The commencement website claims:Royster Harper, the University's vice president for student affairs, said the University chose not to move this year's commencement to Crisler Arena because it would reduce the amount of tickets available to graduates from eight to two or three per graduate. [Link]
The obstacles at Michigan Stadium include:Other venue options on U-M's campus would limit the graduate to 2 or 3 guests. In the past, U-M has provided 8 tickets per bachelor's degree recipient, and 4 tickets per graduate (master's or doctoral) degree recipient. [Link]
- No power, water, or bathroom facilities
- Greatly reduced number of tickets per graduate
- Reduced number of accessible/wheelchair seating areas
- Major safety concerns
But is this change really necessary? Temporary restroom facilities can be placed on stadium grounds, the length of the ceremony can be shortened. Power generators also exist. There is something to be said for an administration that moves graduation to another school's facilities without consider the significance of graduating from one's own school. At the very least, keep the ceremony on our own campus.
Where is the Michigan tradition we know, love, and live?
What Can We Do?
We must organize and make our voice heard. Alert your friends! Join Facebook groups, etc, to spread the word, and keep
Email school officials -- we encourage you to remain respectful and clear.
marysuec@umich.edu (Mary Sue Coleman, President)
tsull@umich.edu (Teresa Sullivan, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs)
harperer@umich.edu (E. Royster Harper, Vice President for Student Affairs)
Regents' Email Addresses:
jdarlow@umich.edu
ldeitch@umich.edu
omaynard@umich.edu
rmcgowan@umich.edu
afnewman@umich.edu
richner@umich.edu
taylorsm@umich.edu
kewhite@umich.edu
Michigan Daily: http://www.michigandaily.com/letters/
Ann Arbor News: http://www.mlive.com/mailf
Detroit News: mail to letters@detnews.com
