While Ashland University seniors are concerned with counting credits and meeting their final institutional requirements, they have also shown great concern with the fee included in a graduation application.

“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that Ashland University does not take the fee out of our tuition money. Don’t we pay enough?” senior Joe Paulucci said.

The nonrefundable graduation fee is 75 dollars and is due annually at the time that the graduation application is available. Along with this fee, if the application is not turned in by a certain date (November 1 this year) an extra 25 dollar fee must be paid as a late fee.

However, most Ashland University students do not have a full understanding about the graduation process and funding for the ceremony, or how the registrar coordinates the event.

Kathleen Hall, Ashland University registrar, has heard several of these concerns; however she believes that the process correctly fits the needs of Ashland University.

“The fee that is charged is to cover the entire graduation ceremony,” Hall said. “Some universities may charge the fee within the actual tuition; but a lot of our students do not graduate from this institution. If we were to charge each and every student, some students would be charged for a process that they do not even take part of.”

For perspective, 330 students are taking part in the December graduation ceremony as well as an approximated 650 to 700 for the May graduation ceremony. While the 75 dollar fee is charged for each one of those students, the fee is also assessed to those who choose not to walk.

Amy Ortiz, Ashland University registrar representative, works extremely close with the graduation process.

“The fee is not only for students who chose to walk and those who chose not to since we have so many students change their minds during the process,” Ortiz said. “Along with that, we still need funding in order to provide everyone with their diploma, caps and gowns, as well as supply for the logistics for the

actual graduation ceremony.”

The exact financial needs on the ceremony also differ from year to year. For example, last year the ceremony was held in the new Jack Miller Stadium which had several needs such as stage rental, the keynote speaker, as well normal facility fees.

Overall, Ashland University seniors who have the knowledge have been much more receptive of the fee as well as its necessity.

“After seeing the reason the fee is not in our tuition it makes sense on their part,” Paulucci said. “I would hate to be charged for something I don’t take part of. I just don’t see the need in the late fee.”

However, the late fee charge goes to supply all changes that have to be made due to the late application.

“There are changes that need to be made when late applications come in,” Hall said. “The charge also encourages students to get their applications in on time. We receive around 45 to 50 late applications per year.”

Despite any concerns on the fee, the ceremony is a beautiful event for all students as well as their family and friends and the fee is miniscule in comparison to the work put in by the entire university to make this event extremely memorable.