Now is the time for joint commencement
This is the Our View, prepared by the Editorial Board and the institutional voice of The Record.
The 40-day countdown to graduation started this weekend. Soon, the 2022 graduating class will walk across the stage and receive their diplomas in the way CSB/SJU tradition dictates: separately.
On Saturday, May 8, the College of St. Benedict will hold its Commencement Ceremony for the graduating class of 2022 in Clemens Field House. The following day, St. John’s University will hold their Commencement Ceremony at the Abbey Church.
With the announcement of the first-ever joint president of CSB/SJU and closer relations between our institutions, now is the time to rethink this tradition.
As a prospective student, students either apply to St. Ben’s or St. John’s. From that point forward, there are very few structural aspects of the CSB/SJU experience that separate Bennies and Johnnies. Classes, clubs and events are shared, the faculty is one body, and now we are led by one president and shared boards of trustees.
However, when it comes time to celebrate the culmination of four years, only half of the people who made up that experience will be sitting next to you in a cap and gown.
The Record surveyed 112 CSB/SJU seniors about this issue. When asked “How should future commencements be structured?,” 82% of respondents chose “Joint” over “Separate.”
Often, the primary argument against holding a combined commencement ceremony orients around the logistical issues, mainly what location can accommodate both the CSB and SJU graduating classes.
In addition, advocates for separate graduation ceremonies cite the unique identities of each college as a deterrent for full integration.
However, there is precedent in this situation. On Sept. 13, 2021, joint commencement was held in Clemens Stadium for the class of 2020 after their commencement was canceled due to COVID. Students gathered in the bleachers, listening to a CSB commencement speaker, SJU commencement speaker and each campus’ transitional president.
Acknowledging that such a plan is dependent on nice weather, the Clemens Fieldhouse at CSB and Sexton Arena at SJU could provide an accommodating rain location. With capacities over 2,500, there would be plenty of seats for the graduates, parents, faculty, staff and other attendees.
Separate commencement ceremonies at CSB and SJU have been the norm on our campuses since 1857. However, as our campuses continue to integrate, we must shift from the outdated and pursue what is long overdue: joint commencement.