Search for 2009 commencement speaker begins, application numbers skyrocket

02/11/09 - The University of Rhode Island's Student Senate is currently accepting applications for the position of 2009 commencement speaker until March 2. Vice president of the Student Senate and Chairman of the Commencement Committee David Bedard said applications are much more accessible this year. Last year's applications were not available online and the candidates had to pick them up in the Student Senate office.

As of yesterday, there were approximately 85 application downloads, Bedard said, as opposed to last year's 10 submissions.

He said they provided a reasonable deadline in order to give students more time to fill out the applications. Along with the application, students are required to turn in a resume and a paper stating why they want to be a commencement speaker.

When all applications are submitted and the deadline is met, a group of senate members called the Commencement Committee come together and examine the applications.

This year's committee has yet to be determined, but there will be five members. Last year's four-member commencement committee posed a problem when there was a tie, and the final decision was directed to the senate as a whole.

The Commencement Committee examines the three components of the application. The requirements include the written commencement speech, a resume and a short paper stating why they want to be a commencement speaker.

Each aspect of the application is judged on a point system. The speech is worth the highest amount of points, and the other aspects of the applications are meant to assist in the decision-making process. Sometimes there are many well-written speeches and making a final decision becomes more difficult. In this case, the committee tends to review why the applicant wants the opportunity, and whether he or she has a significant or sentimental reason.

"In the past, people said they wanted to share their college experience," Bedard said.

The written speech was worth about 30 points last year and the other components were about 10, Bedard said, also noting this year's point system has not been decided yet.

The commencement committee's main focus is the speech, but they are looking for a decent grade point average along with extra-curricular activities. Bedard said they examine their participation on campus and how active they are in their organizations.

"[Your] GPA won't hurt you if you are greatly involved on campus," Bedard said.

In the first round of review, the Commencement Committee, along with a Writing Center employee, examine the applications. Bedard said the member of the Writing Center is there to give the committee advice, and he or she is not involved in the final decision-making process.

After thoroughly examining each aspect of the applications, the committee chooses the top two or three best applicants. Those who are chosen are given a few days to edit and review their speeches. Around mid-March, they will be asked to recite their speeches at a senate meeting. The Commencement Committee then chooses the winner based on the candidate's composure, pronunciation, creativity and overall connection with URI students.

Applications are available on the Student Senate page on the URI Web site and are to be turned into the student senate office.

The winner is expected to be announced March 25 at the Senate meeting.