Inclusion of School Presidents in Graduation Processions

Introduction 

This motion proposes that the elected School President of each academic school be formally included as an optional participant in their own school’s graduation procession, alongside the existing student representatives. 

The purpose of this motion is to enhance student representation at graduation ceremonies, strengthen the visibility of school-level leadership, and improve the sense of connection between graduating students and those representing them, while remaining fully supplementary to existing arrangements. 

General information 

Background 

Historically, graduation processions included only the DUSA President and Vice President of Academia.  More recently, this has expanded to include the full DUSA Executive, as well as the Sports Union President or their Deputy.  The Independent Student Member of Court also participates.  

While this development has broadened representation, it has also created two challenges: 

• Availability pressures on the DUSA Executive when multiple ceremonies occur over short periods.  

• Potential disconnect for graduating students, as many of whom may have had little or no interaction with the DUSA Executive, Sports Union leadership or Student Independent Member of Court.  However, may be more familiar with their own School President as their primary academic representative. 

Rationale 

Including the School President as part of the academic procession: 

• Provides visible, familiar representation for graduating students, particularly those who may be nervous to cross the graduation stage.  

• Recognises the role of School Presidents in academic advocacy, community building, and student engagement. 

• Supports DUSA’s charitable objectives relating to the advancement of education, citizenship, and student experience.  

• Creates a flexible and resilient system of representation by offering an additional option when Executive availability is limited. 

• Strengthens partnership working between Schools, DUSA, and the University. 

Crucially, this proposal is not intended to replace or diminish any existing participants in the academic procession.  Instead, it provides an additional, optional role which may be exercised at the discretion of the School President and DUSA Executive. 

In addition, participation in the academic procession offers a meaningful and symbolic final responsibility for School Presidents at the conclusion of their term.  It allows them to play a pivotal role in celebrating the achievements of their peers, reinforcing the sense of academic community within each School. 

Practical Considerations 

Potential challenges include limited space on stage and within the robing room. However, discussion with the Examinations and Graduation Manager has confirmed that this needs to be considered, but does not make the proposal unachievable. He also mentioned that no current University statutes or regulations prohibit such inclusion.  The optional nature of the role allows flexibility to accommodate logistical constraints on a case-by-case basis.  

Given that School Presidents have not historically been involved in the graduation procession, there is no nominated gown for them to wear.  An agreement would need to be reached with the University as to what gown the School President would wear, whether an existing DUSA Executive gown or a new gown.  This then raises questions about how this new gown would be funded.  

Conclusion + Motion  

Graduation is a milestone academic event that celebrates student achievement and the institutional community.  By enabling School Presidents to participate in the graduation procession of their own school, this motion enhances the authenticity, relevance, and inclusivity of student representation at one of the most significant moments in the student journey. 

The SRC is therefore asked to approve the following: 

1. That DUSA and the University formally recognise the School President of each academic school as an eligible, optional participant in that school’s graduation procession. 

1. That this role is supplementary and does not replace any existing DUSA, Sports Union, or University representatives. 

1. That DUSA works in partnership with the University’s Graduation Team to implement this change where logistically feasible. 

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