Dear Liz
Answers from Southampton below!
Robert
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* Dr Robert Green
* Senior Assistant Registrar
* University of Southampton
* Southampton SO17 1BJ
* Tel: 023-8059-3062
* Fax: 023-8059-3037
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1. Does your University charge graduates or their guests to attend a ceremony and if so, how much did you charge in 2002?
SOUTHAMPTON MAKES NO CHARGE TO GRADUANDS OR TO GUESTS. TWO YEARS AGO, WE LOOKED AT THIS VERY SERIOUSLY BUT THE PROPOSAL (TO CHARGE GUESTS) WAS TURNED DOWN BY OUR SENATE BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR BAD PUBLICITY. GRADUANDS OF COURSE HAVE TO PAY HIRE CHARGES FOR THEIR ROBES, AND SOME DEPARTMENTS CHARGE FOR ATTENDANCE AT POST-CEREMONY RECEPTIONS. OTHERWISE, NO COMPULSORY CHARGES AT ALL.
2. Are your ceremonies held at an external venue?
NO, WE DELIVER 34 CEREMONIES OVER SIX DAYS IN JULY AND THEY ARE HELD AT TWO ON-CAMPUS VENUES, THE TURNER SIMS CONCERT HALL AND THE NUFFIELD THEATRE. A FEW YEARS AGO, WE DID A TABLETOP EXERCISE TO SEE IF USING THE SOUTHAMPTON GUILDHALL WOULD BE BETTER BUT DECIDED AGAINST IT. FOR US, THE ADVANTAGES OF 34 SHORT (circa 50 MINUTE) CEREMONIES IS THAT THE PRESIDING OFFICER CAN SPEAK TO EACH GRADUAND; AND GUEST DON'T HAVE TO ENDURE 3 HOURS OF BOREDOM FOR TEN SECONDS OF EUPHORIA.
3. Is the charge made to specifically cover venue hire costs, hospitality, or general "graduation costs"?
NOT APPLICABLE.
4. If a charge is made to cover hospitality, what do you offer graduates and their guests please?
SOME DEPARTMENTS CHARGE FOR ATTENDANCE AT RECEPTIONS: OTHERS ARE FREE. THE QUALITY OF RECEPTIONS WILL VARY ACCORDING, I GUESS, TO WHAT A DEPARTMENT CAN AFFORD.
I couldn't trace a recent survey of graduation charges on the mailbase - if there is one, please would someone point me in the right direction? Thanks.
Thank you, in advance, for any replies.
Liz
Liz Woodward
Assistant Registrar (Conferments)
Brunel University
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Tel: 01895 203283
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