May 25, 2016
John J. DeGioia, President
William Treanor, Dean
Other faculty
Georgetown University Law Center
600 New Jersey Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
Dear Dean Treanor, President De Gioia and other faculty,
We are writing to regrettably report our disappointment in Sunday’s graduation ceremony.
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We are now proudly LL.M. graduates and we are grateful to have fulfilled our Master of Laws at Georgetown University Law Center. Georgetown chose us to be part of this extraordinary program and experience for having the academic and professional background of an outstanding lawyer. It is for that exact reason that if we did not write to you to express our utter disappointment in Sunday’s graduation ceremony, it would contravene valuable principles inherent in our profession and character.
There were initially very little guidance and a lack of staff on the ground to inquire for directions to each location as we are not familiar with the main campus. We must further take for granted the assumption that all staff responsible for organizing Sunday’s event had access to some trustworthy weather forecast, making them able to predict that it would not be favorable for the ceremony to be held outdoors. Students were waiting for over an hour in the rain, and were then demanded in the most impolite manner to sit on wet chairs on muddy grass and in puddles, in our graduation attire, whilst listening to lengthy speeches. The attendees were not only parents, but also young children and most importantly elderly grandparents. Our families were in the rain and provided with no shelter, but even worse, no consideration of the circumstances. It is very hard to see why no tent could also have been provided for guests, as was for faculty. Considering the reputation and wealth of Georgetown University Law Center, the lack of shelter and other conveniences are difficult to justify.
Further, we did notice that during all this time J.D. graduates were waiting indoors, in a warm and dry space. This seems rather unfair. What is the characteristic that qualifies J.D. graduates to be granted the privilege of shelter on their graduation day, and what differentiates LL.M. graduates from being granted the same privilege? Surely some space could have been arranged for LL.M. students and their families to also wait indoors. Waiting in the rain for two hours is not merely uncomfortable but also a threat to one’s health. There are several students and family members that have become ill as their clothes, regalia and shoes all became soaked.
For us students and our families, graduation day is a special day. For our grandparents that had boarded a 10-15-hour flight to witness their granddaughter or grandson graduate from Georgetown with a Master of Laws, this was also a special and proud day. In complete neglect and recklessness, we did not feel very special. In fact, we felt disrespected. Our families felt disrespected. We had planned and had been looking forward to this day from the moment we received our acceptance letter, to only be utterly disappointed.
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Moreover, on the overall lack of organization, structure and consideration, aside from the absence of guidance, we were also given misleading information and false directions regarding the diploma distribution, resulting in confusion and chaos. The initial understanding was clear. Weather permitting, the ceremony would be held outdoors and should it rain all would resort to the indicated rain sites subject to the popular rain site tickets. What in fact happened, was that the website was updated to indicate that the ceremony would be held at the rain sites, which is where we sent our families to await the beginning of the ceremony. Whilst waiting, we were informed that the ceremony had begun on Healey Lawn where we then proceeded to wait two hours in the rain. Upon completion of the ceremony we were informed that the diploma distribution for some would take place there despite initial instructions otherwise. This was rebutted a few minutes later after we had once more informed our families to change location. During the distribution, the manner in which the certificates were given lacked the etiquette and organization expected from a graduation ceremony. Certain names of graduates were even left out despite the list provided seemingly as an indicator of sequence. Similarly to this, there was also confusion surrounding the regalia return location as it was initially intended to be at the Kennedy Building but upon arrival there, students had to figure out for themselves that the location had changed and then walk in the rain to a farther location.
Overall, the prestige and properness of Georgetown Law as well as the majesty of alumni achievements, seem to have faded on Sunday. We are well aware that not much can be done for all this at this point in time. An apology, however, to say the least, seems appropriate. Our families have not only spent time but also provided us with great support to see us graduate from one of the most renowned law schools with a Master of Laws. We feel strongly that not only students and friends, but most importantly our families did not deserve to go through such trouble on our graduation day.
We do hope that this letter serves as an indicator that next year’s ceremony be better organized so that students and families be treated with utmost respect so they may enjoy their special day.