It was first brought to my attention from a former graduate that there was an error in spelling on the diplomas that were issued to Colorado Mesa University graduates.  This affected students not only graduating this past spring, but for students dating back to 2012. 

I then looked back on my diploma, and sure enough, there was the error.  On the bottom right of the diploma, under Doug Quimby’s signature, it says ‘Chair-Coard of Trustees’ instead of ‘Chair-Board of Trustees’. 

When CMU found out about the mistake CMU President Tim Foster had written a letter apologizing for the error and told those affected how to obtain a new diploma free of charge. 

But, not all those affected were notified.  I sure wasn’t.  This was something that should have been sent to all alumni during those years.  Once you do go to order the replacement diploma, it is an easy process.  You are informed that the diploma will be sent to you immediately upon receipt of request and that it will be free of charge.

But the question is “which is worse?” The university for not catching the error or the graduates not catching it?  I believe that it is worse that the university did not catch it.  Especially since it has affected students dating back to 2012. 

When the name of the school changed from Mesa State College, there had to be changes made to the diplomas.  When the changes are made through the printing company, you are required to look them over and accept the finished product or make the necessary changes. 

So, when that occurred, whoever approved it did not thoroughly examine it.  Hence the error not being caught.  As a graduate, you aren’t looking at those areas.  You are excited that you finally did it and got that diploma. 

You are ecstatic that your name is on it and it shows what you achieved.  With the money, that we pay to attend classes to graduate here at CMU, we are expecting that the diploma is going to be correct.  Why shouldn’t we?