We won. The auditorium is officially ours for graduation.
February 4, 2015
Final supporters
UPDATE:Attention Roosevelt Students: For those of you who have been following the NFL Draft/Commencement conflict, I had a very positive meeting this morning with President Middleton and there will be an announcement made later today. I don't know how many details will be included in the announcement but he seemed committed to keeping commencement at the Auditorium Theatre and determined to make sure proper accommodations (including housing and CTA) are made for those students who may need to to say on campus longer if graduation is pushed a week back.
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Roosevelt University is hosting the NFL Draft. While one can appreciate Roosevelt's excitement about the NFL draft being held at the University, it is wrong for the University to put another group of people ahead of its students. The class of 2015 graduation date is set for the same weekend of the draft (Graduation= May 1st, Draft= April 30th- May 2nd). Graduation was planned further in advance than the draft, which means the class of 2015 may not get to have graduation in the iconic Auditorium Theater like many classes before us. Additionally, Columbia College will have their graduation ceremony at Roosevelt University's Auditorium Theater on May 16th. If Columbia College students get to use our venue then so should Roosevelt University students. The lack of transparency is disappointing to say the least.Roosevelt University needs to, at the very least, change the graduation date so that the 2015 seniors can still walk across this historic stage. Decisions must be made now so that families and students can plan accordingly.
The Auditorium Theater was opened in 1889. During WWII it was used serviceman's center- where more than 2.2 million servicemen were fed, housed, and entertained between 1941 and 1945. The building fell into disarray and was scheduled to be demolished when Roosevelt University purchased the building (some say for just $1) in 1946. Since then this great building and auditorium has been a quintessential part of Roosevelt University and almost every student imagines themselves one day walking across that historic stage.
Roosevelt University has not made any final decisions regarding 2015 graduation but it is time for our voices to be heard before anything becomes final. Please sign and share.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
November 20, 2014
November 19, 2014
We are hitting 250 signatures soon. Keep pushing until the official announcement drops today.
Reached 100 supporters
November 4, 2014
62 Comments
It is our responsibilty as students to hold Roosevelt University accountable for valuing people over their profits to challange their corporatization.
People have family members coming from out of town. And there are other events happening that have been planned for. CCPA's senior showcase being one example. To uproot these plans is just plain inconsiderate of a group of people who have funneled a great deal of money into this school. It doesn't seem right for a University to devalue it's graduating class in this way.
sure the draft might be a "once in a lifetime" opportunity, but so is the hopes of these students that have worked for the "once in a lifetime" opportunity to walk the stage and get their degree in that location.
I understand the great opportunity hosting the NFL draft would be but pushing graduation back one day to allow for the draft to conclude is not that much to ask. This is important to the students and, therefore, should be important to the staff. Please reconsider.
I've looked forward to graduating on this stage for four years...not negating the draft, but we're important too. We give our time, energy, and money to this school. I don't want disappointment at graduation to be what I remember about Roosevelt.
Unfortunately guys, Roosevelt and the Auditorium theater are two separate entities and RU played no role in allowing the NFL to use the theater for the draft. Stop vilifying our school and get the facts straight.
If students do the work they should get the reward they were promised. No exceptions.
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We won. The auditorium is officially ours for graduation.
February 4, 2015
Final supporters
UPDATE:Attention Roosevelt Students: For those of you who have been following the NFL Draft/Commencement conflict, I had a very positive meeting this morning with President Middleton and there will be an announcement made later today. I don't know how many details will be included in the announcement but he seemed committed to keeping commencement at the Auditorium Theatre and determined to make sure proper accommodations (including housing and CTA) are made for those students who may need to to say on campus longer if graduation is pushed a week back.
----
Roosevelt University is hosting the NFL Draft. While one can appreciate Roosevelt's excitement about the NFL draft being held at the University, it is wrong for the University to put another group of people ahead of its students. The class of 2015 graduation date is set for the same weekend of the draft (Graduation= May 1st, Draft= April 30th- May 2nd). Graduation was planned further in advance than the draft, which means the class of 2015 may not get to have graduation in the iconic Auditorium Theater like many classes before us. Additionally, Columbia College will have their graduation ceremony at Roosevelt University's Auditorium Theater on May 16th. If Columbia College students get to use our venue then so should Roosevelt University students. The lack of transparency is disappointing to say the least.Roosevelt University needs to, at the very least, change the graduation date so that the 2015 seniors can still walk across this historic stage. Decisions must be made now so that families and students can plan accordingly.
The Auditorium Theater was opened in 1889. During WWII it was used serviceman's center- where more than 2.2 million servicemen were fed, housed, and entertained between 1941 and 1945. The building fell into disarray and was scheduled to be demolished when Roosevelt University purchased the building (some say for just $1) in 1946. Since then this great building and auditorium has been a quintessential part of Roosevelt University and almost every student imagines themselves one day walking across that historic stage.
Roosevelt University has not made any final decisions regarding 2015 graduation but it is time for our voices to be heard before anything becomes final. Please sign and share.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
November 20, 2014
November 19, 2014
We are hitting 250 signatures soon. Keep pushing until the official announcement drops today.
Reached 100 supporters
November 4, 2014
62 Comments
As a recent graduate from Roosevelt University I have to say that I find it apalling that once again Roosevelt shows that it does not care about its current students who are on their way out.
It is our responsibilty as students to hold Roosevelt University accountable for valuing people over their profits to challange their corporatization.
People have family members coming from out of town. And there are other events happening that have been planned for. CCPA's senior showcase being one example. To uproot these plans is just plain inconsiderate of a group of people who have funneled a great deal of money into this school. It doesn't seem right for a University to devalue it's graduating class in this way.
sure the draft might be a "once in a lifetime" opportunity, but so is the hopes of these students that have worked for the "once in a lifetime" opportunity to walk the stage and get their degree in that location.
I understand the great opportunity hosting the NFL draft would be but pushing graduation back one day to allow for the draft to conclude is not that much to ask. This is important to the students and, therefore, should be important to the staff. Please reconsider.
I've looked forward to graduating on this stage for four years...not negating the draft, but we're important too. We give our time, energy, and money to this school. I don't want disappointment at graduation to be what I remember about Roosevelt.
Unfortunately guys, Roosevelt and the Auditorium theater are two separate entities and RU played no role in allowing the NFL to use the theater for the draft. Stop vilifying our school and get the facts straight.
If students do the work they should get the reward they were promised. No exceptions.
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As a recent graduate from Roosevelt University I have to say that I find it apalling that once again Roosevelt shows that it does not care about its current students who are on their way out.