Students recently received a letter from Provost Cheryl Jacobsen announcing that Loras will no longer be holding a December commencement ceremony.

Jacobsen’s letter explains that it certainly was not a snap decision, that there was much deliberation regarding the mid-year ceremony. The letter adds that Loras is allowing December graduates the option of walking with their class at the spring commencement, either the May prior to or following their acceptance of a diploma.

The lack of a December ceremony is a controversial one among students. Student Body President Will McIntee talked about Student Union’s role in the decision.

“The letter that was sent to students leads you to think that the Student Union agreed with the decision to cancel the commencement ceremony, but we’ve actually never really been in favor of it,” he said.

Last semester, the issue was brought up in the Academic Council, which discussed whether the mid-year ceremony was worth the cost given the relatively low number of students involved. The idea also was discussed at a Student Senate meeting.

“Most of the Senate was outraged at the thought,” said McIntee, who added that the Senate assembled a committee to circulate a petition requesting that the ceremony remain. “We had a pretty substantial amount of students sign the petition — about 300 students in only two days.”

But in the end, it was a losing battle.

“It’s disheartening be-cause most of the meetings on this issue have been the administration talking about how there are just about 50 students involved in December commencement, so they don’t think it’s worth it,” McIntee said. “But at Loras, that’s a big chunk of students. It’s sad because students come to Loras for that personal experience, and then to be shooed out the door at the end of your four years is kind of a shame.”

Michael McCarty, student body vice president, said the Senate now is trying to think of alternative ways to enhance the experience for mid-year graduates.

“We’re hoping to create a situation in the following years that would be very similar to the commencement ceremony that happened this past December,” he said. “Instead of an academic ceremony, we hope to still have a Mass or prayer service in the Chapel with Fr. John Haugen and President Collins. Basically, it will be the same as last year, just without the actual handing out of diplomas.”