The University of Chicago’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1892

Chicago Maroon

The University of Chicago’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1892

Chicago Maroon

The University of Chicago’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1892

Chicago Maroon

Is the Class Day Speaker Paid? Spokesman Says That’s Confidential

“The speaker agreement is confidential.”

The University of Chicago will not officially say if it has a monetary agreement with its Class Day speaker. 

Unlike many schools, the University has not invited distinguished speakers to address its graduating students in recent years. 

Class Day is a new event this year scheduled the day before Convocation. It will feature New York Times columnist David Brooks (A.B. '83) as an invited speaker.

A University spokesperson said over e-mail that “the speaker agreement is confidential.” The statement did not say if it is a financial agreement.

A 2016 Associated Press survey found that while some colleges pay five- or six-digit speaker fees, many schools do not pay graduation speakers at all. Seven of 10 surveyed private institutions said that they do not pay graduation speakers.

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