Commencement move opens up new tradition possibilities

Eastern Washington University’s fast approaching commencement exercises June 13 will be the last to be held in Cheney on the Red Turf at Roos Field.

In a press release, the university announced it had signed a multi-year agreement with the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena to begin holding commencement exercises at the Spokane facility beginning in 2016. With over 2,000 undergraduate and hundreds of graduate students receiving their degrees, and many more of their family members and friends in attendance to watch them walk, holding the ceremonies in Cheney has become a logistics challenge.

Part of that has always been that one element difficult to predict — the weather. While there have been those picture perfect “chamber of commerce” days of bright sunshine and mild temperatures, ceremonies are just as likely to see the extremes of rain, wind, or scorching heat. While the students might be able to endure this, family members, particularly the youngest and the oldest, will likely find it difficult.

Word of Eastern’s decision leaked out two weeks ago, and the reaction from some of Cheney’s business community has been less than favorable. In an email informing its members about the possibility of such a decision, the Cheney Merchants Association asked its members to contact the office of EWU President Dr. Mary Cullinan and explain how the decision will impact their businesses.

It should be noted that the decision did not come from the Office of the President, but rather from Student Affairs. Moving commencement is something that department has been studying for several years and is based upon feedback received from graduates and their families.

Moving commencement from the Cheney campus to Spokane will remove some of that collegiate feel the current ceremonies have — the chiming of bells across the morning air as graduates gather by their departments one last time to walk as a students past the commons and across Washington Street to Roos.

But from a practical standpoint, Eastern’s decision makes sense, and we hope city of Cheney officials and merchants will look at this not as a loss of revenue but as an opportunity to turn graduation into something unique.

Eastern said it would still hold other commencement-related activities on the Cheney campus, such as department ceremonies and receptions. The city and Cheney merchants could band together and hold similar events honoring the soon-to-be graduates that showcase the best qualities of the community.

Sutton Park would be a great place to stage a barbecue, with entertainment and food provided by local venues. Incoming freshmen go through an annual ritual of walking up College Avenue and entering campus to begin their college experience through the pillars at Showalter Hall. Perhaps a reverse of this — with graduates walking out of the pillars down College Avenue lined with cheering friends and family — might be considered.

Families whose students live in Cheney will likely find accommodations nearby, either with the student or at local hotels, as they do now, so local businesses shouldn’t see any loss of business. But families of students who live in Spokane, and there are still many as Spokane Transit Authority ridership figures attest to, don’t stay in Cheney, but rather drive out for the ceremonies and then leave — spending little time and even fewer dimes locally.

By creating commencement activities celebrating and honoring the graduates, Cheney businesses stand a better chance of attracting both sets of families to the community. That’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.