Hillsdale's convocation flop
Ryan Thompson
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: Opinion
Another semester and another convocation I did not attend. Why would I want to attend convocation? While I do enjoy the speeches by President Arnn and seeing the faculty, I could care less about most of the other pomp and circumstance behind the event. I think a significant portion of the student body would concur in this sentiment.
Why should anyone not involved in the Greek society system go to convocation? The only students really rewarded at convocation are the Greeks, with the awarding of the Scholarship Cup to the fraternity and sorority with the highest average GPA. Because the awards don't apply to most of the student body, the majority could care less about the event.
While I have nothing against the Greek system, I do have a significant problem with the college exclusively focusing on them instead of the student body as a whole. If the college wanted to get more students to attend, they would develop some sort of reward that could reach across the student body.
One idea that keeps coming to my mind would be recognizing the top 10 percent of seniors in each major while retaining the Greek scholarship cup. This would broaden the appeal of convocation somewhat while retaining the traditions that already exist.
Right now, convocation is nothing more than a ceremony where the Greeks pat each other on the back for getting average GPAs compared to the student body as a whole. If the college, specifically the administration, cares about the "silent majority" of students, they will broaden the appeal of convocation.
Hillsdale College Collegian, 2007
Why should anyone not involved in the Greek society system go to convocation? The only students really rewarded at convocation are the Greeks, with the awarding of the Scholarship Cup to the fraternity and sorority with the highest average GPA. Because the awards don't apply to most of the student body, the majority could care less about the event.
While I have nothing against the Greek system, I do have a significant problem with the college exclusively focusing on them instead of the student body as a whole. If the college wanted to get more students to attend, they would develop some sort of reward that could reach across the student body.
One idea that keeps coming to my mind would be recognizing the top 10 percent of seniors in each major while retaining the Greek scholarship cup. This would broaden the appeal of convocation somewhat while retaining the traditions that already exist.
Right now, convocation is nothing more than a ceremony where the Greeks pat each other on the back for getting average GPAs compared to the student body as a whole. If the college, specifically the administration, cares about the "silent majority" of students, they will broaden the appeal of convocation.
Hillsdale College Collegian, 2007
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
me
posted 11/13/07 @ 8:28 PM EST
There is a new GPA related award for sports players now given out at convocation, they also announce the all school GPA. Along with fantastic choir music, and seeing which professor is honored with the Daugherty award, I'm not sure why convocation wouldn't appeal to the campus as a whole. (Continued…)
confused
posted 11/14/07 @ 2:11 PM EST
Does Convocation really need to sell itself as a meaningful event? After all, it is not primarily intended to be entertaining, like some sort of carnival or Centralhallapalooza. (Continued…)
Greek Confusion
posted 11/16/07 @ 4:39 PM EST
Among many complaints and accusations pointed towards Convocation, Thompson makes the pointed attack that:
"Right now, convocation is nothing more than a ceremony where the Greeks pat each other on the back for getting average GPAs compared to the student body as a whole. (Continued…)
A Non-Athlete
posted 11/17/07 @ 1:12 AM EST
Say whatever you want about the other aspects of convocation, but the athletes awarded this year were certainly worthy of recognition. Any student at this school with above a 3. (Continued…)
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