Do you think Spelman was right to lock the doors on late parents?

6 Comments

  • Lateica - 11 years ago

    I understand the importance of being on time , but when you have a much earned, expensive, once in a life time, family supported event how do you not make provisions for late, lost, didn't get the memo loved ones. First of all Spelman gets paid enough in tuitions to secure a venue that can hold everyone's family members scheduled to attend, provide ushers to quietly seat early or late arrivals and be more respectful of the fact this is a milestone long awaited by many and those attending deserve the courtesy of showing up when ever they can. You don't know the circumstances of why a person is running late. There have been several times I've heard one say, "I made it just in time". Work, that is different, they're paying you to be there, a graduation, you paid Spelman a lot of money to be there. If you came 1 minute before the end, that's on you and yours. Spelman's job is to provide a venue large enough to accommodate all scheduled attendees, and ushers to direct all late people to the back of the room somewhere as not to disturb the ceremony all ready in progress. It's not that serious.

  • A. Hailes - 11 years ago

    There are some who have no regard for being punctual and therefore, do not understand that tardiness is disrespectful. To be "early" is to be on time and to be "on time" is late. Those family members should have been seated at least an hour before the event started. In areas that we control, we have to plan accordingly so that we stop blaming others and place the blame where it rightfully belongs-on ourselves.

  • Al Brooks - 11 years ago

    Even if the graduation exercise was over 3 days, this father chose to attend on the third day as obviously this is the day the graduate would walk up and receive their citations. The question is , why were the doors closed 30 minutes before the scheduled time ?? and were the threats of arrest really necessary ?? I am curious as to the % and ethnic make up of the graduates , this should be revealing !!!!

  • D - 11 years ago

    We may never know the truth about any situation. This is 1 side's version. Tuskegee also has a similar policy when capacity is reached. Even on my graduation, I had my family arrive at 8:00AM. Yes, it was a long time before the event started, but I wanted them to sit and be in place without worrying if they were able to get in. (I did not allow CPT to be an option, and glad I did because capacity was reached. People were mad and some did not get in the building.)
    Be careful before giving an opinion, if there is a security concern and/ or capacity issue, the university/ institution is liable. There may have even been an incident in the past that led to the current policy.

  • Cheryl Lattimore - 11 years ago

    Actually, Spelman's graduation ceremonies are a 3 day process, beginning on the Friday prior...so Dad was 2 days late. The College sent out very clear and concise instructions regarding the timing. We've got to do better as a people regarding being prompt.

  • Cheryl Lattimore - 11 years ago

    Actually, Spelman's graduation ceremonies are a 3 day process, beginning on the Friday prior...so Dad was 2 days late. The College sent out very clear and concise instructions regarding the timing. We've got to do better as a people regarding being prompt.

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