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SOU, Ashland High may end Lithia Park commencements By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune ASHLAND - Southern Oregon University and Ashland High School are debating whether the tradition of holding their commencement ceremonies in Lithia Park is fraught with too many liability and safety concerns. Uneven ground, narrow walkways and too few seats at the Butler Memorial Band Shell may make graduation unsafe for the large crowds that are drawn to the ceremonies, particularly spectators who are disabled or elderly, school officials say. And the size of SOU's graduating class - numbering 1,244 last year compared to 1,054 in 2000 - may have outgrown the capacity of the park. Moving graduation ceremonies elsewhere has drawn strong protest from students at both schools, upset they might have to walk at less appealing venues. SOU's student body leaders, who on Tuesday drafted a resolution opposing the change in tradition, have organized a rally at 12:30 p.m. Thursday to protest moving the commencement ceremony to Raider Stadium. Ashland leadership students also will encourage the community to start a letter-writing campaign to keep commencement in the park. "This is the only SOU tradition that we have and it has been going on ever since this school has been a school," said Danielle McNeill, director of student governmental affairs. "The school advertises in recruitment literature that we will graduate in beautiful Lithia Park." McNeill believes the administration is not doing everything it can to keep the graduation ceremony in the park. "We've got a different impression than they do," she said. "It's been quite a huge dispute." SOU associated student body president Kansas Callaway said, "We're not denying the safety concerns. We're fully aware of some of the problems." Students have suggested solutions, including splitting the commencement times between graduates and undergraduates and improving walking areas. SOU president Elisabeth Zinser was not unsympathetic to the students' wishes. "In my heart of hearts, I'd rather have it at Lithia," she said. Mounting safety and liability concerns - including past incidences of a broken leg and sprained ankles - make Zinser believe that the days of graduation at Lithia Park are numbered. "I cannot, frankly, in good conscience put this university at risk for financial exposure," she said. "I am seriously considering making a shift this year." Whether the university pulls out this year or next, Zinser plans to have some kind of ceremony at Lithia each year to remember this past tradition. If the decision is made to stop using Lithia, Zinser said, "I'm sad with everybody. I'll go down and have a wake with everybody if we have to." Superintendent Juli Di Chiro said Lithia tentatively has been reserved for this June, but no firm decision has been made yet. "If it was my decision, I would move it back to the high school," she said. Di Chiro cites a history of problems at Lithia Park, from lack of space to access problems for grandparents and those with disabilities. "We don't want families fighting over the seats," she said. "The parking issues are extreme." By having the graduation at Raider Stadium, the high school could provide rows of seats for parents of its 300 graduates as well as an area for spectators. "We want to find what's the best way to have a dignified ceremony that honors their accomplishments, provides security and a seat so grandparents can come," she said. Co-student body president Brad Rahmlow said the class of 2002 is being penalized for the actions of the preceding class, which disrupted ceremonies by throwing an inflatable sex toy into the audience. "The main issue for students and parents is that Lithia Park is a much nicer place to hold the ceremony, and they want to change it because of what one class did," he said. Co-student body president Brady Brim-DeForest said, "They (the administration) need to make up their minds. I feel they're kind of playing a game with us." With less than five months left until graduation, Brim-DeForest said students need to know where they will graduate. "It is important for the community to get involved," he said. "We will be encouraging a letter-writing campaign to get the public involved." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.