Ledger

Team UWT represented by the student government competed at the first Frida bed racing contest sponsored by the Tacoma Art Museum. Team UWT won first place for having the fastest time. The team members were (left to right), Seth Leichsenring, Ray Shepherd, Whitney Rhodes, Marc Johnson, and Rachael York.

Graduating students hoping to end their academic careers with a bang may only get a fizzle this year.

Despite a recent show of support by students for a grand graduation party, the only thing booked for now is a small celebration in the oUWTpost. This stands in stark contrast to last year, when the graduating class celebrated with a cruise on Puget Sound.

The University of Washington Tacoma’s Graduation Committee failed to apply for event funds, despite the fact that chartering an “end-of-year party” is listed as a responsibility on their Web site.

Citing an initial lack of student input, confusion over who is responsible for throwing the event and an overall unorganized start to the year for student government, Graduation Committee Chair Heather Manske stated that no plans were made for a party.

“I’ve only had three people actually show interest on the committee. I’m not going to plan for people when they don’t come through,” Manske said.

Campus-wide emails sent in March soliciting feedback from students for a party returned only a few replies, Manske said. Ten people expressed interest in attending a planning meeting, but none showed up.

Manske was also uncertain as to her committee’s overall role. She contends that if she was informed earlier in the year of her responsibilities, things may have ended up differently.

“Had it been brought to our attention earlier, there’s a lot of possibilities that could have happened. I’ve never been prodded,” she said.

Instead, when it became apparent no one else was planning a party, the Student Activities Board – the group chartered with planning UWT events – set aside funds from their own pool of money. The only features billed for the event to be held in the 277-occupancy oUWTpost are food and free photos for the first 50 graduates.

More than 900 students are set to walk this graduation.

Meanwhile, the SAB is planning a large, end-of-year gala centered on the freshman class. When asked for the amount of money being spent on both events, the SAB failed to provide the Ledger with that information. They also turned down the opportunity to comment.

According to both Manske and Noah Schmidt, student body president, a lack of guidance has hampered ASUWT this year.

“All the committees struggled. I didn’t know what my duties were as a committee member when the year began ... Nick Bubb (former ASUWT president)  kind of sat us down and talked with us for a few minutes, but I only got pieces of what I was supposed to do. I didn’t have a binder or anything to go on,” Manske said.

Schmidt feels that more guidance from the ASUWT faculty advisor, Shellie Jo Enscoe, would be helpful: “Shellie Jo has been very busy this year with going back to school for her master’s degree, so it has been difficult at times. She trusts students to set and make their own deadlines for issues such as graduation [planning], but it looks as though it may require a more hands-on approach.”

Enscoe stated that ASUWT members were provided with numerous training sessions at the beginning of the year. “It is my responsibility to advise when requested or if necessary,” she said. “It is important to remember that Team ASUWT is a self governing body, each member has a responsibility to ensure they follow all the governing documents of the team.”

Manske also said that having to pick two commencement speakers on a tight deadline – one for this year, one for next – took up most of the committee’s time.

“The grad party hasn’t even been a priority,” she said.

“Heather kind of dropped the ball, but I failed to provide her with guidance. There’s been a lot on her plate. She’s been unable to get anyone involved on the committee and to participate.” Schmidt said.

However, Schmidt recently sent emails to the graduating class surveying sentiment for a party featuring a cruise and possible casino theme night. The survey received an overwhelmingly positive response. Schmidt said 65 interested graduates replied within the first day alone.

“Especially after seeing the survey, I know people definitely want something like this,” he said. In response, Schmidt and a few other students are trying to get a last minute contingency request pushed through for funds. However, the outlook doesn’t look promising.

Since only the SAB is allowed to apply for event funding during contingency rounds, a proposal backed by ASUWT might end up dead in the water.

Schmidt feels that the current bureaucracy at UWT – one that possesses multiple nuances for student funding and requires an inordinate amount of training for student organizations – has discouraged students from participating when it comes to holding events or starting student organizations.

“UWT is still relatively so young that the administration has not had a chance to develop a student life system that is totally student-friendly,” he said.

The need for student life to evolve, if UWT is ever to become a thriving institution, was also expressed by Schmidt.

“With the recent move to a four-year university, the student life issue is probably going to be on the chancellor’s agenda soon. It is important to all students to have an active and thriving student life, especially to the freshmen who have had no problem voicing their concerns already this year,” he said.

Depending on how far Schmidt’s plans for a party go, the freshman class might no be the only one voicing concern.

very busy this year with going back to school for her master’s degree, so it has been difficult at times. She trusts students to set and make their own deadlines for issues such as graduation [planning], but it looks as though it may require a more hands-on approach.”

Enscoe stated that ASUWT members were provided with numerous training sessions at the beginning of the year. “It is my responsibility to advise when requested or if necessary,” she said. “It is important to remember that Team ASUWT is a self governing body, each member has a responsibility to ensure they follow all the governing documents of the team.”

Manske also said that having to pick two commencement speakers on a tight deadline – one for this year, one for next – took up most of the committee’s time.

“The grad party hasn’t even been a priority,” she said.

“Heather kind of dropped the ball, but I failed to provide her with guidance. There’s been a lot on her plate. She’s been unable to get anyone involved on the committee and to participate.” Schmidt said.

Schmidt recently sent emails to the graduating class surveying sentiment for a party featuring a cruise and possible casino theme night. The survey garnered an overwhelmingly positive response. Schmidt said 65 interested graduates replied within the first day alone.

“Especially after seeing the survey, I know people definitely want something like this,” he said. In response, Schmidt and a few other students are trying to get a last minute contingency request pushed through for funds.

However, the outlook doesn’t look promising.

Since only the SAB is allowed to apply for event funding during contingency rounds, a proposal backed by ASUWT might end up dead in the water.

Schmidt feels that the current bureaucracy at UWT – one that possesses multiple nuances for student funding and requires an inordinate amount of training for student organizations – has discouraged students from participating when it comes to holding events or starting student organizations.

“UWT is still relatively so young that the administration has not had a chance to develop a student life system that is totally student-friendly,” he said.

Student life must evolve, according to Schmidt, for UWT to become a thriving institution.

“With the recent move to a four-year university, the student life issue is probably going to be on the chancellor’s agenda soon. It is important to all students to have an active and thriving student life, especially to the freshmen who have had no problem voicing their concerns already this year,” he said.

Depending on how far Schmidt’s plans for a party go, the freshman class might not be the only one voicing concern.

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