NUMBERS TALK, MEADOWS WALKS…TO MCFARLIN?

by Tom Rodgers

The original meeting was to take place in the Greer Garson Theatre, however too many 2007 graduates showed up forcing the meeting to be moved. Once inside the Hope Theatre the crowd seemed much smaller.

Fifty-one seniors, six faculty and staff and one parent participated in the discussion to keep Meadows graduation ceremony outside along the Owens Art Center.

The attempts from the crowd to convince Dean Jose Bowen did not seem to be enough.

After an hour and a half of watching Bowen defend his decision it was obvious to the students and parent that the meeting was designed to simply ease the most angered.

Suggestions and complaints were given, but the only idea Bowen even remotely responded to, saying “this one has legs,” was a suggestion to simulcast the event in McFarlin, while the traditional ceremony take place in its usual setting.

A parent and alumni stood and said, "I represent five seniors who had to attend the RTN...RTD...or something in Vegas." She told a story about how her daughter was anticipating walking the same outdoor stage her friends traveled across in 2006.

After the first hour past, dancers could be heard tapping their feet in the doorway to the Hope Theatre and the meeting was forced outside next to the fountain on Hillcrest. Thirty students and one parent continued to suggest, question and implore their Dean into giving them another chance.

One senior also continued to keep her stand and agreed with Bowen's decision calling it wise and a much better option- referring to the weather and heat. Bowen took her point and reminded the crowd four times about the hailstorm that swept through SMU's campus the previous Friday.

"That kind of storm would cancel the entire event and everyone would just get their diplomas from each division or mailed. We won't be able to quickly get everyone inside if the weather was like that," the Dean said.

Bowen also mentioned lawsuits from previous years, excessive heat, bad acoustics and poor site lines as reasons why he ultimately moved the ceremony to McFarlin, claiming the Auditorium has the equivalent amount of seating.

At 6:30 pm Bowen, 30 minutes late for another meeting, stood up and said "sorry" then left. Those who remained behind focused on" what next" while others mumbled "I just won't go."