The Bowdoin Orient

April 6, 2001
Volume CXXXII, Number 20

College Dishes Out Diplomas and Suck

EDITORIAL

   At 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 26th, Bowdoin College will hold its 196th Commencement Exercises. This will be a time when students of the class of 2001 celebrate Bowdoin by recalling their memories and accomplishments during the past four years.
   And, if we are to believe, the Commencement Weekend pamphlet recently distributed by the College to graduating seniors and their families, this is also a time when Bowdoin will be "celebrating [the] success and bright futures" of its departing students.
   If we read further on in the Commencement schedule it is clear that the College plans to waste no time in sending its students forth into these "bright futures." The last event on the calendar, scheduled for that very Saturday: "6:00 p.m. College Housing closes for all students."
   After all, since "the Class of 2001 is an outstanding class," surely its members will happily and easily be able to handle the task of loading a year's worth of belongings into the car, on a day likely to be among the busiest and most emotional of their young lives. Moreover, who could imagine a better culmination to such a proud day than extended heavy lifting? And what a bonding experience for the family, too; "Grandma, thanks so much for coming, now just grab that sofa right there."
   Of course students could limit this stress by accomplishing some of this evacuation procedure earlier, but that would pose several problems. Even in the simplest case, for a Maine resident who owns a car, this would still necessitate missing some of the commencement schedule and precious last moments with friends, to make one or more trips homes.
   For those students who do not live nearby, or do not have a car, the process of packing threatens to consume even more time. While not being able to "join librarians to view plans of ongoing renovations" might not bring tears to the eye, missing a final lunch with a friend because Bowdoin insists on a Saturday departure, is a real shame.
   We cannot stay forever; we know that. But, it probably would not do the College any great harm to allow students to leave a mere 24 hours later. Nor is this scheduling particularly wise for Bowdoin on a purely financial level. Bowdoin has already stepped up the campaign to siphon money from its students as they prepare to make their way into the workforce. Wouldn't the alumni purse strings be just a little more loose if students' last memories of the College were not being thrust out the very second they received their diplomas?
   Bowdoin's administration pontificates a lot about how the college experience is about personal growth, cultivating a lifelong love of knowledge, and helping our community. When the College expels its graduating class just a few hours after commencement, the experience seems to be more about money. Thanks for the cash, and don't let the door hit you on the way out. "Bowdoin, from birth, our nurturer and friend / To thee we pledge our love again, again…"