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Go for the information, not the food

Many students simply see Fall Convocation as the reason professors cancel classes on a Tuesday in the middle of September.

To them, it’s a small but welcome break from the weekly grind. A very small percentage of the student body actually attend the ceremony.

Few realize that Convocation is actually a good opportunity to find out what’s going on with the university’s administration, to see which professors are going above and beyond their job descriptions to help students or do research and to listen to various student musical groups.

You can get some free food too, but it shouldn’t be your main reason for attending.

Those who went to this year’s Convocation Tuesday were treated to a joke-filled State of the University speech from Chancellor Boschini that covered topics, such as the increase in graduate and undergraduate enrollment, the new core curriculum and the search for a replacement for Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs William Koehler. After the ceremony, Dining Services provided a variety of fruits, vegetables and other food, completely free of charge.

However, people who didn’t attend Convocation don’t know any of that.

Sure, some students took advantage of the free food without actually attending the ceremony. But they still don’t know what’s going on with the university.

More students should be attending Convocation. Sleep may be important, especially when the rare opportunity to sleep in on a Tuesday comes up, but so is actually knowing how your school is doing.

Next year, don’t hit the snooze button on your alarm.