I recently sent this email out to Dean Davis. Please e-mail, call, or talk with him in person about changing the 2 seat rule. I am sure that I am not the only one who would greatly appreciate your effort. We deserve to celebrate without constraint (or at least a lesser one)!
Dean Davis,
I received an e-mail a few minutes ago regarding April graduation and that we would only be permitted to bring 2 guests to our graduation. I am e-mailing you now to advocate that this limited accommodation be reconsidered. I personally have worked hard, exceptionally hard, for this degree and I have no doubt that all of my classmates would share a similar sentiment.
Personally speaking, I am the first of my family members to receive a masters level degree of any known generation. I travel four and a half hours to come to class one day a week so I can learn how to best serve my rural community that is now, more than ever, in need of educated, compassionate, evidence based, best practice services. I am a full time student that is giving it my all for this degree and what it represents, and as a child of divorce, someone who has a significant other, and other family and friends that would love to join this celebration, two seats do not suffice in order to celebrate this occasion to the level I feel I have not only worked for but have also paid a great deal for.
I hope that my fellow social workers will also email, write, call or talk with you in person and convey their sentiments, but I ask that we please not be limited to two seats. We are social workers and I know that we can surely find another way to accommodate our loved ones, and pay the proper respect to this student body that will be graduating in April that we so deserve.
Sincerely,
Kelly Berthold
Updates
November 12, 2016
Dean Davis hasn't replied to me yet which is honestly so frustrating because I'm just sitting here staring at my inbox while thinking about that four hour drive I have to make again soon. It feels like the administration is just hoping we will all get tired and drop this but I have been reading your comments about your own families and I am definitely not going anywhere.
19 Comments
My daughter has worked extremely hard for her Master's degree. We have a large extended family that has supported her and all are very proud of her. I understand that a scheduling mistake on the part of a University of Pittsburgh staff member is the reason you are scheduled in a smaller venue. This error on the school's part should not be held against the students and families that have earned this once in a lifetime achievement of walking at graduation. I sincerely hope that you can find an alternative solution to this problem and allow the students to invite their 'whole' families to this glorious occasion.
A month or two ago, I called the Social Work program to ask when graduation was and what the ticket situation was like, at the urging of my grandmother. I was told the date and that there would be a free-for-all kind of seating at Soldiers and Sailors. I then called my 80-year-old grandmother to tell her and she booked a hotel for her, my grandfather, and my mother. It's possible that other people have had similar experiences, and have even more people in their family coming to see them graduate.
I am also a child of divorce, and I have no idea how may parents can attend this event without the buffer of someone else present. Most likely one of them would decide not to come. On the other hand if I don't invite one of them, feelings will be hurt. With only two tickets, feelings are going to be hurt either way.
With only two tickets, the University is making me choose between my husband and parents. I would like to invite all who helped get me to this point. Two tickets simply is not enough. Students have given so much of their time, effort, and money for this degree. If there is any other option for graduation, it should be considered.
I would really like if we had the opportunity to have a few extra seats! With only 2, my parent would be the only ones able to attend. My fiancé and grandparents would not be able to attend. They have been my biggest support system through my time as a graduate student and deserve to be a part of this experience just as much as I do.
This saddens me as my daughter has worked very hard for this accomplishment and she has a rather large family. It would be very unfair to her to make her choose only 2 people to attend this exciting day.
5 kids in our family- we would all like to be there to see our sister graduate in May!
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I recently sent this email out to Dean Davis. Please e-mail, call, or talk with him in person about changing the 2 seat rule. I am sure that I am not the only one who would greatly appreciate your effort. We deserve to celebrate without constraint (or at least a lesser one)!
Dean Davis,
I received an e-mail a few minutes ago regarding April graduation and that we would only be permitted to bring 2 guests to our graduation. I am e-mailing you now to advocate that this limited accommodation be reconsidered. I personally have worked hard, exceptionally hard, for this degree and I have no doubt that all of my classmates would share a similar sentiment.
Personally speaking, I am the first of my family members to receive a masters level degree of any known generation. I travel four and a half hours to come to class one day a week so I can learn how to best serve my rural community that is now, more than ever, in need of educated, compassionate, evidence based, best practice services. I am a full time student that is giving it my all for this degree and what it represents, and as a child of divorce, someone who has a significant other, and other family and friends that would love to join this celebration, two seats do not suffice in order to celebrate this occasion to the level I feel I have not only worked for but have also paid a great deal for.
I hope that my fellow social workers will also email, write, call or talk with you in person and convey their sentiments, but I ask that we please not be limited to two seats. We are social workers and I know that we can surely find another way to accommodate our loved ones, and pay the proper respect to this student body that will be graduating in April that we so deserve.
Sincerely,
Kelly Berthold
Updates
November 12, 2016
Dean Davis hasn't replied to me yet which is honestly so frustrating because I'm just sitting here staring at my inbox while thinking about that four hour drive I have to make again soon. It feels like the administration is just hoping we will all get tired and drop this but I have been reading your comments about your own families and I am definitely not going anywhere.
19 Comments
While I understand that large guest accommodations may not be realistic, I find that only allowing 2 guests puts many graduating MSW students in a tough position to chose who gets to celebrate this special occasion. I have already emailed Dean Davis, who has not responded. I plan to continue reaching out to see if any attempt at increasing the guest count can be reached.
My daughter has worked extremely hard for her Master's degree. We have a large extended family that has supported her and all are very proud of her. I understand that a scheduling mistake on the part of a University of Pittsburgh staff member is the reason you are scheduled in a smaller venue. This error on the school's part should not be held against the students and families that have earned this once in a lifetime achievement of walking at graduation. I sincerely hope that you can find an alternative solution to this problem and allow the students to invite their 'whole' families to this glorious occasion.
A month or two ago, I called the Social Work program to ask when graduation was and what the ticket situation was like, at the urging of my grandmother. I was told the date and that there would be a free-for-all kind of seating at Soldiers and Sailors. I then called my 80-year-old grandmother to tell her and she booked a hotel for her, my grandfather, and my mother. It's possible that other people have had similar experiences, and have even more people in their family coming to see them graduate.
I am also a child of divorce, and I have no idea how may parents can attend this event without the buffer of someone else present. Most likely one of them would decide not to come. On the other hand if I don't invite one of them, feelings will be hurt. With only two tickets, feelings are going to be hurt either way.
With only two tickets, the University is making me choose between my husband and parents. I would like to invite all who helped get me to this point. Two tickets simply is not enough. Students have given so much of their time, effort, and money for this degree. If there is any other option for graduation, it should be considered.
I would really like if we had the opportunity to have a few extra seats! With only 2, my parent would be the only ones able to attend. My fiancé and grandparents would not be able to attend. They have been my biggest support system through my time as a graduate student and deserve to be a part of this experience just as much as I do.
This saddens me as my daughter has worked very hard for this accomplishment and she has a rather large family. It would be very unfair to her to make her choose only 2 people to attend this exciting day.
5 kids in our family- we would all like to be there to see our sister graduate in May!
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While I understand that large guest accommodations may not be realistic, I find that only allowing 2 guests puts many graduating MSW students in a tough position to chose who gets to celebrate this special occasion. I have already emailed Dean Davis, who has not responded. I plan to continue reaching out to see if any attempt at increasing the guest count can be reached.