Dear Editor,
In response to Michelle Chin’s ‘Exit Fees Won’t Fly,’ we, as student co-chairs of the All-Campus Graduation Celebration, would like to address a few concerns. Chin left a few elements out of the story, including the fact that a 7 percent participation rate at last year’s event was largely due to a last-minute cancellation by our keynote speaker, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The organizing committee is sensitive to event costs, making efforts to book a well-known alumni speaker who is not charging a fee and using money left over from last year to fund the event.
The idea for ACGC was originated by students. Because of student input, it was recommended in the Undergraduate Student Experience and Satisfaction Committee (USES) report.
This year, we expect nearly 3,000 graduating seniors, their families and friends to enjoy the festivities at ACGC, including a wine and cheese pre-reception, a short program featuring our keynote speaker and 1985 alumnus Mike Judge of ‘Office Space’ and ‘King of the Hill’ fame, and a post-reception with food, drinks, a performance by Lady Dottie and the Diamonds and farewell fireworks. None of these things were mentioned in the op-ed in last Monday’s issue of the Guardian.
We hope that all seniors will take this opportunity to celebrate their achievements at the event. ACGC will take place on June 12, at RIMAC Field from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office, FREE for graduating seniors and $10 for guests.