Ohio State students wishing to voice their opinions regarding the choice of the keynote speaker for spring commencement are being encouraged to do so by the Undergraduate Student Government.
“Students have always had the opportunity (to suggest speakers),” said Aftab Pureval, president of USG. “We are just making it more accessible and reachable.”
It is significant for students to voice their opinions, Pureval said.
“(USG) really feels it is important that students give their choices and have a say in who speaks at their graduation,” he said.
Pureval also serves on the commencement speakers committee, which consists of 12 members – three student representatives and nine faculty and administrators – and makes the final recommendation to OSU President Karen Holbrook.
“I receive the student e-mails and I provide that list to the committee for our determination of what list goes to the president,” Pureval said.
Part of Pureval’s job also includes the sorting out of serious candidates from those that are not.
Pureval said he personally tries to weed out over-the-top student suggestions, such as G-Unit or 50 Cent.
“There are standards involved in being the speaker,” he said.
Committee chairman Bill Murphy said he feels there are certain credentials a spring commencement speaker must have.
Interest to students, speaking ability, name recognition, a link to important issues and having something to say are all important factors the committee discusses before suggesting a name to President Holbrook, Murphy said.
Keeping a wide mix of speakers from different walks of life in mind is important to the committee, he said.
“Over a period of time we really like to see some diversity in the speakers,” Murphy said. “That is, people from a variety of different fields, both men and women who represent people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.”
The entertainment value for all in attendance is imperative to having a good commencement speaker, Murphy said.
“The primary thing is that the audience is not just students, it is families too,” Murphy said. “You want someone who brings a message and whom they are going to enjoy listening to.”
By persuading students to suggest speakers, USG also hopes to curb any displeasure by students about speakers.
“Apparently last year a lot of students expressed discontent with the speaker so we are trying to get an early start this year,” said Alison McCartney, USG press director.
“We are just trying to make students as happy as possible,” she said.
Murphy hopes students, regardless of rank, take advantage of the opportunity to propose potential speakers.
“Students, whether they are graduating or not, should think hard and make some suggestions on who they would like to hear,” he said.
Interested students should e-mail their selections to [email protected] by the Friday deadline.
For more information about USG, visit www.usgonline.net/.
