The crowd assembled for the graduation ceremony in the PPL Center erupts in cheers as President Harring shares her congratulations for the class of 2022. To celebrate, the students toss their caps into the air, marking their new status as college graduates by throwing a $74.95 cap away.
In general, college is an expensive endeavor, but after you paid your final tuition bill you are still left with the cost of graduation itself. The $74.95 price tag includes a gown as well as the cap and is a requirement for walking during the graduation ceremony, but these are not the only costs associated with commencement. In order for families to visit for graduation, they often have to pay travel costs to come to the PPL Center in addition to at least one night in a hotel room since graduation proceedings begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Hotels in Allentown for graduation weekend range anywhere from $76 to $427 a night. Muhlenberg’s “senior week” tradition—the week preceding commencement—includes a variety of free experiences such as a champagne brunch and baccalaureate, but the senior ball typically comes with a pretty hefty price tag.
For example, previous senior balls were held at venues such as the Woodlands Resort in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Not only would students have to cover the cost for the ticket, as well as a ticket for a guest, but there were additional costs such as transportation to and from the venue and accommodations in the Wilkes-Barre area.
This year, the senior ball is being held on campus, as it has been for the previous two years due to COVID. While many students believed this was due to COVID restrictions, the main reason for the decision to hold senior ball on campus was the financial burden it had been causing seniors. Allison Williams, dean of students, says they always planned to eventually shift senior ball to campus, but as the prices of event venues in the area have increased during the pandemic the move was expedited.
“There was this disparate gap between what it was costing and what students could really afford,” explained Williams. “Seniors in previous classes have brought it forth as a really important issue. What is the best way for us to celebrate as a class? Students didn’t want to have a portion of the class not there because they couldn’t afford to be there, or they can’t afford for their date to be there or what have you. And so that was an important consideration in bringing it to campus.”
“I’m not too excited about having senior ball on campus,” says Nayah Acosta ‘22, one of many students who aren’t thrilled about the switched location.
I’m not too excited about having senior ball on campus.
Nayah Acosta ’22
Acosta notes that since this is the senior class’ last big event, and past classes have been able to go to more lavish event venues, it feels like a disappointment to have the event in Memorial Hall.
Others, such as Alex Whittington ’22, are just excited to have the event at all. “As cool as it would be to have it off-campus, it will be what we make it, and it’s nice that we won’t have to pay for it if it’s on campus.” Whittington adds that they did a great job decorating for inauguration, transforming the gym into a beautiful event space. Since there’s no cost to rent out spaces, the budget is bigger for aspects of senior ball such as DJs, photographers, photobooths and more elaborate decorations to disguise the gym.
Acosta adds that while she was initially disappointed, her main priority now is to have fun with friends. “It’s our last semester together and I don’t want to be worrying.”
If it cost[s] money I probably wouldn’t go.
Brandon Herbst ’22
Other students, like Brandon Herbst ‘22, are relieved by the switch to on-campus, noting they would not have been interested in going if the event was expensive. “I don’t really care about the location, my main priority is good food and hanging out with friends,” says Herbst. “If it cost[s] money I probably wouldn’t go.”
Students are also able to apply for emergency grants or experiential learning grants, which are intended to allow students to engage in co-curricular and community aspects of the College, including experiences like senior week.“A lot of young alums who donate to the college donate specifically back to this fund, because now they know about it,” says Williams. “They can’t afford to give $1,000, but they’d really love to sponsor a cap and gown for somebody.” If you need financial assistance with the cost of graduation, applications for experiential learning and/or emergency grants can be found on the Muhlenberg College website.
