Graduation mementos deplete seniors' wallets

After forking over four years' tuition to attend Princeton, seniors are now finding that they have to pay their way out of school as well.

Between thesis binding, graduation announcements, diploma frames, yearbooks, event dresses and class rings, graduates-to-be can easily spend thousands of dollars in celebration of their big day.

"You've worked so hard, so it feels like a lot to celebrate," Kim Nakamaru '06 said. Eight of Nakamaru's relatives will be attending the various ceremonies at graduation, including Baccalaureate, Class Day, Commencement and the senior prom.

Parents and relatives who plan to come from far away will need to pay for flights and hotel rooms. Guests who also plan on attending brunches held by the eating clubs will need to procure tickets as well.

"People's parents are proud of them and don't consider it so much an expense, but a celebration," Karis Gong '06 said. Six of Gong's relatives will be attending Commencement.

The Nassau Herald, the senior class yearbook, costs $100. Class rings vary from $200 to $1,200. Wristbands for admission to Reunions cost as much as $100 if bought the week of the festivities.

"It's for the parents, since they're only here three to four days for graduation, they need the mementos," Hart Ku '06 said.

"[My parents are] proud of me. They paid all this money for me to get here," said Amy Averell '06, whose parents chose to spring for a diploma frame and class ring.

In anticipation of the annual surge of friends and family members, local hotels are offering special packages, which, though a bit cheaper than the regular rates, are far from cheap.

The hotel closest to campus, the Nassau Inn, charges about $200 a night for a standard room. Reservations for the next year's graduation typically become available the day after a class graduates.

Hotels further from campus, like those situated along Route 1, may have cheaper rates and more amenities but come with the added hassle of finding parking near campus.

For parents looking for cheaper lodging, the University offers "Operation Mattress," a program that allows guests to stay in dorm rooms during Commencement events for $50. Sheets and towels can be purchased for $35. Room availability is limited, however.

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Paul Thompson '06 said that his parents booked a hotel room a year in advance. "The dorm rooms do not have the amenities of a hotel," he said.

But the expenses are worthwhile, many seniors said.

"It's a rite of passage. You only do it once. It's kind of a big deal," Thompson said.

"I think it's an important event, and people do things to remember it because it's a once in a lifetime opportunity," Michael Kennedy '06 said.

"By the time you're a senior, you realized what an amazing community you're a part of as an undergraduate, but what a phenomenal community there is beyond the gate," Nakamaru said. "So many alumni come back. There's such camaraderie."