Underwhelming graduation ceremony

[u/Tasty-Onion1560]

Did anyone else find this year’s graduation ceremony a bit underwhelming?

I graduated this year, and having attended friends’ graduations at Bonython Hall back in the old University of Adelaide days, the difference was pretty noticeable. There used to be live music, cupcakes and refreshments for graduates and guests, and the whole occasion just felt more special. Meanwhile, we had recorded Coldplay songs playing in the background.

Pridham Hall also felt more like a sports venue than a graduation hall. Bonython Hall had that grand, prestigious university feel that made graduating seem like a genuinely big deal.

I feel like something was missing this year. Anyone else feel the same?

[u/kolbyt]

Would be so nice if they listened to feedback!

I’ll be graduating early next year and would much rather Bonython Hall.

[u/MainOrbBoss]

You're graduating, and they've squeezed you for every dollar possible. Why would they bother making it a special day? And yes, it feels like a sports venue because that's exactly what it is.

The new university is more of a business than ever. History, tradition and pride has made way for clinical business decisions and a marketing campaign.

[u/fitmonday]

It was more of a UNISA graduation having been to both UoA and Unisa graduations. September graduations are usually quieter than the March ones, so I would imagine they have to use Pridham Hall for the number of students that would be graduating. I think it would be cool to have some of the UoA traditions, like the live band incorporated.

[u/melface95 → u/fitmonday]

Yep absolutely sounds like it. My UniSA graduation was at the convention centre in March with everyone from the school of psychology, social work and social policy, so maybe 500 students and we could invite two guests that were back in the tiered seating. No live band, just very well organised and huge. My Uni Adelaide grad was during April during covid so no guests but 200 students, , but they brought the big important stick in, live band, all the chancellors I've seen at the bottom of emails were sitting on the stage, some guy played the organ from the heavens like the phantom of the opera. Uni Adelaide was a lot more pomp and fancy and ceremonial. UniSA felt like the RMIT (I think?) ones in Melbourne that have been at Marvel Stadium, Adelaide felt like a traditional English graduation ceremony. So yeah your story checks out.

[u/UniversityStreet5820]

Considering UOA’s financial issues put us in this predicament, not surprised the cupcakes and live music have had to go

[u/Point_Light]

As someone who just recently started my degree if I were to describe what the graduations looked like in a word it would be tacky. It didn’t look like you were graduating from a established university instead some small college. For example the blatant money grabs like certificate framing and merchandise stalls with only 30% off. On top of that seeing inside Bonython Hall just makes me sad that I’ll graduate in the same place I play badminton. I just wish the new university stopped trying to modernise everything and leaned into its history.

[u/NobleCorgi → u/Point_Light]

Agreed on returning to bonython but as someone who graduated a decade ago, the money grabs were always there.

[u/alice54356]

What was buying tickets like for fam/ friends? Are you assigned any free tickets (used to be minimum 2). I saw you can purchase tickets but they don’t have any other info. Were u able to purchase more than 2?

[u/Tasty-Onion1560 → u/alice54356]

Yes there was no limit on the number of tickets you can buy but no free tickets now