UCI is holding a combined ceremony for all of its undergraduate and graduate students at the Anaheim Angel's stadium in honor of UCI's 50th Anniversary, with potential guest speaker President Obama. Although the gesture is greatly appreciated by the students of UCI, and most certainly wanted, this brings up a few issues.

1. The combined commencement ceremony is in place of smaller, individual school ceremonies. This means student names will most likely not be called, and students will not get to walk, as originally planned. Even if all students were able to walk, the process would be long, inefficient and tedious. Essentially, this is not the forum to have students walk.

2. As such, the Graduating Class of 2014 suggests that IN ADDITION to the previously planned Stadium graduation, all schools also have their own graduation ceremonies, as in years past. This would allow for a ceremony to celebrate UCI's 50 years, as well as seperate ceremonies to celebrate individual students' achievements.

3. In recognition of student individuality, the Class of 2014 also suggests bringing back the tassel format of years past. Previously, student's have had the option of purchasing University and individual school tassels. This year, the school tassel was removed as an option. The individual school tassel system made UCI unique in being one of the only University's to offer the option, as well as allowing students to maintain their individuality. Removing the option diminishes individuality, as well as making the bonding of students from the same school more difficult.

4. MOST IMPORTANTLY, we request that the University keep the graduating class in the loop about significant changes made to commencement ceremonies and graduation in general. No students were emailed or contacted about this change, and the rapid change in the short period before graduation has come as a huge shock to many students. Many students and their families have already made travel plans, taken time off, and booked flights and hotels for the dates given to us at the GradExpo. Furthermore, the change comes at a great cost to the company printing the graduation announcements. This abrupt change is not only coming at a great inconveinence, but is costing many people hundreds of dollars, which is unfair to both the students, and their supporters.

We thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

University of California - Irvine

Graduating Class of 2014