May commencement shows decline in number of undergraduates

Students planning to graduate on May 15 can expect a few changes from previous graduation ceremonies. Between tickets, parking spaces and an increase in the number of graduates receiving their master's and doctoral degrees, the A&M-Commerce campus is preparing for a busy day.

Undergraduate ceremonies will be ticketed, with the College of Arts and Sciences allowing 10 tickets per graduate, as well as the College of Business and technology. The College of Education and Human Services graduates will be given 15 tickets. However, according to University Registrar Paige Bussell, the graduate school ceremony will not be ticketed this year due to fewer attendees. Bussell also said that additional parking and a shuttle to accommodate outer parking areas will be available.

"The nice thing about this ceremony is there are 200 new parking spaces that will be open, so that's a plus for our students and guests," she said.

According to the Office of the Registrar, the number of undergraduates receiving their diploma is 536, down from the May 2009 total of 616. On the other hand, the number of students receiving their master's degree this May is 445, an increase from last year's 313. The number of graduates receiving their doctoral degree is up as well, at 19 versus eight last May.

Bussell also noted that the 2010 numbers will not be final until after the commencement ceremony, which usually results in a decrease of these numbers. These numbers also do not include ceremonies on other campuses like Navarro.

Any questions regarding commencement ceremonies should be directed to Graduate Coordinator Marlena Cameron.