Graduates can finally celebrate their newfound alumni status on the weekend.
Starting spring 2012, diplomas will be mailed to graduates after the commencement ceremony.
By mailing diplomas, the commencement ceremony won't be dependent on professors posting grades, and they will have an extra day to complete the grading process.
"A happy professor makes for a happy grade," said Laura Forest, Auburn University registrar. "The stress that is taken off instructors is phenomenal."
Diplomas will be mailed in a tube that comes with the Auburn seal. Previously, all diplomas were delivered before grades were completed and then organized by college, alphabet and honors.
Two or three diplomas are ordered for each honor student, because honors status is unknown, and the correct one is pulled at graduation or mailed to the recipient.
"We pull the one that is right and we shred the other two," Forest said. "So I just shredded $26. Just put it in the blender."
Forest is responsible for implementing this new cost-effective system, condensing multiple diplomas for $13 each to one packaged and mailed diploma for $9.85.
Brian Isbell, senior in aviation management, said he supports the new mailing system, especially if it saves money.
"It makes sense," Isbell said. "I'm glad they finally realized they could do it for cheaper."
Forest said last spring's graduation cost about $30,000 for diplomas.
She hopes to save $12,000 by printing and shipping the diplomas and even more by eliminating much of the human resources that have previously been required.
Robert Samac, three-time Auburn graduate, said he had his diploma mailed every time.
"I'm all for Auburn saving money," Samac said. "I never had a problem with my diplomas being mailed to me."
Aside from the financial aspect, students appreciate not worrying about picking up their diplomas.
"Cars are nowhere near where the actual ceremony is, so we have to walk over after sitting in the sun for six hours, pick up our diplomas in this crazy fort, then walk forever back to the cars and put it somewhere safe," said Helen Goggans, Auburn graduate. "I was constantly worried about it becoming damaged even though it was in a plastic sleeve."
Goggans said she would never go through the graduation process again.
"Picking up the diploma was a bit stressful, and some just left before the alma mater," Goggans said. "I was in the second to last row, so I had to stay the entire time. I was completely drenched in sweat walking to the arena for my diploma with sunburns on my hands, and then I walked to the arboretum where the graduation picnic was\0xAD--all that in heels."
Traditionally, six weeks prior to commencement, students are given a choice to have their diploma mailed to them or to pick it up the day of graduation.
"Every institution in the SEC mails out their diplomas," Forest said. "Our way is a tradition, but it is also very archaic, particularly since we have a population of 26,000 students."
A supplement package from the Auburn Alumni Association will come with the diploma that will have information and an application to join as well as a mini diploma that can fit in a billfold.
*Correction: Spring 2012 graduation will be held Monday, May 7. We regret the error and any confusion.
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