12 replies to this topic

[MaiAndy]

by ALFRED NG & ANDY MAI

For the first time in Brooklyn Tech history, a split graduation will be held for the graduating class [Class of 2011].



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[ClEMeNt]

This'll be fun to look at.
Wish graduation was held together, that way all of your friends can see you graduate. x;

[NickC]

It's really not that bad if you think about it - you're not going to be sitting with kids in other majors anyway.

[tycoonboy388]

The bigger news here is that graduates will have their names called out loud and will come on stage to receive a diploma (I don't know if it's the real diploma, you're usually given a blank or just the case). In years past, only the gold medalist of each major was named, and only one student received a diploma (symbolically) for the whole class. I hope this works logistically, even though the each ceremony will probably be longer than the unified commencement of previous years, the changes will mean more for each graduate. It really opens up the ceremony, as opposed to the only graduates who were named were a select few winning awards.

This is pretty similar to how most universities do commencement. They are usually split by school or college to receive their diplomas. Tech is following the same path. It works pretty well.

[Shariful]

Is Tech really that crowded or is it for other reasons?

[SoLR]

Shariful, on 14 April 2011 - 03:11 PM, said:

Is Tech really that crowded or is it for other reasons?

Yes Tech has a very large student body and it's hard to find a place that can host >1k student PLUS their parents. Assuming 1k, with both parents(probably more), you're looking at somewhere around a minimum of 3000-3500 seats required.

[tycoonboy388]

Plus many teachers like to attend the ceremony, so it just adds up. Also, I hope this policy hasn't continued, but members of student government and NHS (maybe BETA, I don't recall) used to receive an extra ticket for commencement. Altogether, the commencement is a packed house, which in late June isn't fun, so it's not surprising that Tech eventually had to implement a policy like this. Split graduations are not unheard of in HS, especially in the suburbs, although they're usually split by last name, because we're pretty unique with majors.

[Thatblacktechieboy123]

Why don't they have it in Fort Greene Park? I love the outdoors and the nice green quad. Eventhough the ground really isn't leveled. Rent a stage and a lot of chairs for everyone. Make the park nice and you can have it right outside. i like that better than being cramped in an auditorium. Plus it is inexpensive, so it keeps some money in your pocket.

[Leon]

Yes what a great idea. Get 1000 kids and and their parents and relatives, totaling up to over 3000 humans into a public park to perform their graduation instead of doing it in the auditorium, which is the second largest auditorium in NYC and is really cramped. Renting a stage and over 3000 chairs for people to use saves money, when we already have a stage and 3000 seats in school.

[NickC]

Thatblacktechieboy123, on 14 April 2011 - 10:56 PM, said:

<p>Why don't they have it in Fort Greene Park? I love the outdoors and the nice green quad. Eventhough the ground really isn't leveled. Rent a stage and a lot of chairs for everyone. Make the park nice and you can have it right outside. i like that better than being cramped in an auditorium. Plus it is inexpensive, so it keeps some money in your pocket.</p>

Because we can't forecast the temperatures a year in advance. You either burn to death or get washed away when its time for graduation, if hosted in the park - or any open space!

[Thatblacktechieboy123]

NickC, on 15 April 2011 - 03:38 AM, said:

Because we can't forecast the temperatures a year in advance. You either burn to death or get washed away when its time for graduation, if hosted in the park - or any open space!

Well i can reason with that, but sarcasm i can not.

[tycoonboy388]

We actually do have an open space that is maintained by Brooklyn Tech: our football field (Wang Field) is only a few blocks away from Tech and aside from Football games (maybe soccer games, I don't think we actually use it for track events because it's not a regulation track) we barely use the field. A lot of suburban schools use football fields for graduation ceremonies, so it's not unheard of.

But aside from the problem of weather, I doubt the field is big enough to host 1,100 grads and more than 2,000 guests. The split graduation would still probably be necessary. Also, the field is further from the subways and is surrounded by NYCHA buildings, which means that there would likely be restrictions on noise from the ceremony. On top of that, you'd need to rent a stage, a sound system and seating, which we don't have to do now when we use our auditorium. While an outdoor ceremony sounds nice, it's not a great idea, even after looking into the weather.

[R. Asher]

We looked at numerous options but other appropriately sized venues were either not available or far too expensive (Radio City wanted $90,000 for the day). We explored outdoor models as well as webcasting internally to classrooms with SmartboardsProjectors and air conditioning for auxiliary seating. The general consensus was that everyone wanted the "actual" ceremony and people would be unhappy with secondary rooms to watch on the screen. We hope to negotiate to use the new Nets arena which will only be a few blocks from Tech once completed.