Thanks to the Memphis Grizzlies, The University of Memphis might have to reschedule spring graduation at FedExForum, moving the ceremonies from May 7 to May 8.
Since the FedExForum opened in 2004, U of M students have celebrated commencement in the stadium that also serves as home court for both the Grizzlies and the Tigers. The athletic department at The U of M holds a contract with the Forum stipulating that if a scheduling conflict involving the Grizzlies arises, the NBA team takes precedence over The University, assistant vice president of student affairs Stephanie Blaisdell said.
"The odds of this happening were so small, it would be akin to us communicating our earthquake plan for commencement," Blaisdell said.
She said if the Grizzlies win against the San Antonio Spurs tonight, Friday or Sunday and advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs, commencement will be pushed to May 8, Mother's Day, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. If the Grizzlies lose all three games and the best-of-seven series, which they currently lead three games to one, graduation ceremonies will take place as scheduled May 7 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
This is only the fourth time in the Grizzlies' franchise history that they have made it to the playoffs and the first time the team has won playoffs in its existence. Before this year, they had never won a postseason game.
Blaisdell said The University is exploring as many options as it can, and the administration was unprepared for the possible date change.
"We are in the business of helping students celebrate the biggest day of their undergraduate career," she said. "We plan carefully because we want this to be the best day possible for our students."
Blaisdell said The University will be graduating more students at one time this May than ever before, which made moving the ceremony to another site implausible.
"You have to understand that were graduating 2,280 students in May, and many students will bring a lot of guests," she said. "And we don't restrict guests. (The Forum) seats (roughly 18,000) people, and we will almost fill that stadium twice on graduation day."
Blaisdell said many students are concerned and have expressed that the one-day delay is a major inconvenience, but The University is doing its best to get the word out.
Brandon Doggett, music education senior, said although he's a Grizzlies fan, he would prefer if graduation were not moved unless it were pushed up a day early so he could "go ahead and get it over with."
"The only problem I have with it is when I think about others," he said. "Other people have already planned and sent out invitations."
Doggett said though he is opposed to the change, there isn't much that can be done about the situation.
Myiesha Griffin, senior broadcast major, called the change "unpleasing."
She said she doesn't want to be selfish about the situation, but she has already printed invitations and made arrangements for guests.
"My family has waited so long for this, and I've had invitations printed, and I have people coming from as far as South Bend, Indiana," Griffin said. "They have lives too."
She said it makes no sense for people to have to alter their plans at the last minute.
Senior psychology major Magellan Taylor said she was "very disappointed that the University would even consider changing graduation for an athletic event."
"This doesn't just inconvenience the students but the thousands of people planning to attend as well," she said. "It puts a bad taste in everyone's mouth about The University of Memphis."
Erica Curp, senior education major, said she doesn't really mind the potential change in the graduation schedule.
"I know it affects a lot of other people that are coming in town that are leaving on Sunday," she said. "But for (my circumstances), I really don't care, as long as I graduate."
