College Football Playoff School Taking Heat For Moving Graduation Time
12/11/2024 02:40 PM
A mere four months ago the idea that the Indiana Hoosiers would be in the College Football Playoff - even an expanded one - seemed laughable. But the team's ascension under Curt Cignetti in 2024 has not only inspired new confidence in the program, it has the entire school ready to make massive scheduling adjustments to support the Hoosiers at the expense of their graduation ceremony.
On Monday, the Indiana University-Bloomington campus announced that their upcoming Winter Commencement ceremony will see a change to its starting time in order to maximize the opportunity for fans to go see the College Football Playoff game between Indiana and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish next Friday. Per the announcement, the ceremonies will now take place at 9 a.m. and noon in the IU Auditorium.
"Important announcement regarding IU's Winter Commencement: Winter commencement ceremony times are changing so students graduating this December will have the opportunity to attend the IU football team's historic appearance in the College Football Playoffs. Commencement ceremonies on Dec. 20 will move to 9 a.m. and noon at IU Auditorium," the school announced.
Important announcement regarding IU's Winter Commencement:
— IU Bloomington (@IUBloomington) December 9, 2024
Winter commencement ceremony times are changing so students graduating this December will have the opportunity to attend the IU football team's historic appearance in the College Football Playoffs.
Commencement… pic.twitter.com/7JzZqeQTCu
But the news apparently hasn't been received well by some people, who have begun criticizing the school for the move. Some believe that Commencement should be entirely about education and that it shows a lack of care for that aspect by making special exceptions for the football team. Others believe that the decision is just being done to give the university officials more time to get to the game, at the cost of family members who now have to change their plans.
"This is pathetic. Higher Education should be focused on celebrating the achievements of their graduates and the contributions that they are about to make. Our world is so screwed when a game is prioritized over something that actually makes a difference in society," one user remarked.
"Just be honest. We all know that very few of the students will be able to attend the game. This is all about making sure that the president and other university officials will have plenty of time to get to South Bend," another wrote on Instagram.
"what an embarrassing excuse of a school. thank you for your consideration of hardworking graduates whose families now can't attend their graduation because you care more about football than your students. so disappointed i'm getting my degree from here," a third wrote.
Granted, some of these complaints sound so over the top that they could just be satirical. But if we're giving them the benefit of the doubt and assuming they're being serious, there's likely a lot more people who are going to be upset by the decision.
Related: Protestors Interrupted Michigan's Graduation Ceremony On Saturday
