In a letter to about 800 graduating students at OU, university President David Boren said he was concerned families might be stranded in Norman if heavy snow hits. Because of power outages from the ice storm earlier this week, many hotels and motels are full.
“Of course, your safety must always be our paramount consideration,” Boren wrote students.
At UCO, commencement ceremonies planned for Saturday also were canceled because of travel concerns.
In a letter to students, UCO President Roger Webb said the decision was difficult.
“However, after very careful thought and consideration about safety issues for the students, their families and friends, faculty and staff who are traveling, as well as concern for the safety of the many elderly and people with disabilities who visit our campus for commencement — and others who may be adversely affected by ice and snow — we believe the decision to cancel commencement ceremonies is the best option for everyone involved," he wrote.
At both OU and UCO, all fall 2007 graduates were invited to participate in the spring 2008 commencement ceremonies.
At OSU, U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, is scheduled to speak at commencement ceremonies Saturday for bachelor’s degree candidates. Graduate students were to be honored today.
The ceremonies are planned at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Gallagher-Iba Arena.
OSU spokesman Gary Shutt said the events are optional for students, who also may participate in spring commencement in May.
East Central University in Ada plans fall commencement for 10 a.m. Saturday in the Kerr Activities Center.
Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson is scheduled to speak.
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Micah, I've walked across three different college stages. The fact that they pulled together and made the effort to show up for you is most important. I don't have any pictures, didn't order any, and I quite frankly don't know where those pieces of paper are that I got a month after graduating. All they give you that day is the display folder. My last degree at O.U. I actually bypassed the big falderall because I didn't want to see yet another person with the last name Gaylord getting another fake doctor's degree in letters. I did attend my college's convocation. That was to support my fellow students and faculty. I think it would be a mistake to cancel that event.
I think that this cancellation is horrible. I've, along with many others, have worked hard the past four years to accomplish our goal of getting a degree and going on with our lives. Families are in town, plans had been made, and now due to weather that has not even come into the area, we must all cancel our plans and go on like it's just another day. Walk in may? No thanks, I graduate in December, and I leave for my career a week later, and now i won't have a chance to experience what it's like to fully graduate.
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Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
Micah, I've walked across three different college stages. The fact that they pulled together and made the effort to show up for you is most important. I don't have any pictures, didn't order any, and I quite frankly don't know where those pieces of paper are that I got a month after graduating. All they give you that day is the display folder. My last degree at O.U. I actually bypassed the big falderall because I didn't want to see yet another person with the last name Gaylord getting another fake doctor's degree in letters. I did attend my college's convocation. That was to support my fellow students and faculty. I think it would be a mistake to cancel that event.