A few 1995 December graduates say they agree that they would like to walk through commencement ceremonies, but do not think it is worth the hassle of returning to Carbondale in May to do so.

Jason Utley, from Belleville, will receive his forestry degree this December and will return in May to walk through commencement ceremonies. However, he said would not be returning to SIU in May had his parents not asked him to, and he wishes the school had a December commencement ceremony.

It would be an honor to walk, but it’s not worth the inconvenience of coming back, Utley said. It puts perimeters on potential time schedules as to my career path.

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Roland Keim, director of Admissions and Records and member of SIUC’s Commencement Committee, said the two main reasons why there is not a December graduation ceremony are the time of year and weather conditions.

Keim said when the fall semester ends students and faculty are in a hurry to leave town to go home for the holidays. Also, he said many families do not wish to combat the winter weather to travel to Carbondale for their students’ ceremonies.

Two other committee members also agreed that the holiday season and weather conditions are the current reasons behind the decision not to have a December graduation.

David Kennedy, a 1995 December College of Liberal Arts graduate from Park Ridge, said he does not see the holiday season as an excuse not to hold a winter graduation, because the ceremony would be held almost a week before Christmas. Kennedy also said the weather conditions excuse is so outlandish that he did not care to comment on it.

After dedicating the last four years of my life to my education it’s ridiculous that the University is unable to hold a winter graduation, Kennedy said.

Keim said in the past, a December graduation was not economically feasible, and the number of people who graduate in December is usually too low to warrant such a ceremony.

I don’t think money is currently an issue, Keim said.

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However, Keim said he doubts that money would be a problem today and said the number of December graduates has increased in recent years.

Keim said the graduate numbers last year were fairly close for August and December.

Obviously the May commencements are the largest, Keim said.

Duane Sherman, Undergraduate Student Government president and Commencement Committee member, said he does not think SIUC has ever had a December graduation and said he would like to take a look at past data about a December graduation.

Since the August and December graduate numbers are similar, Sherman suggested that a poll be taken when people are applying for December graduation . He said the soon to be graduates could be asked if they would attend such a ceremony if it was available. Based on the responses, Sherman said a trial December graduation might be an idea.

Sidney R. Miller, SIUC professor and chairman of the Commencement Committee, said he was surprised to find out that SIUC did not have a December graduation when he arrived here. Miller said the idea of a Winter graduation is worth exploring.