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Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Senior pushes to walk in May

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Commencement

Senior, Harrison Waddell, is a Communication Studies major with a concentration in Mass Media. Currently Waddell will not be able to walk during his graduation ceremony in May of 2015, just shy of three credits. According to Longwood’s graduation policy requirements, students who “have completed all of their degree requirements,” are permitted to walk during commencement ceremonies, as stated under Longwood’s graduation requirements page online.  The graduation policy requires a completion of 120 semester credits in order to participate in the commencement ceremony, “unless otherwise noted for a major degree program,” stated on Longwood’s graduation page.

Waddell’s major required course needed to walk was not available at the time, however he spoke to his advisor, Professor Jeff Halliday, associate professor of Communication Studies, regarding the issue. Waddell brought an idea up to the Department Chair of Communication Studies, Dr. Naomi Johnson, to see if he there was a possibility he could take the course during the summer intersession.  

“In the Communication Studies department, we work with students as much as possible to help them reach their target graduation date,” said Dr. Johnson. That includes offering summer and winter intersession courses each year. “Instructors have the option to cancel summer classes if enrollment is too low. So far, Communication Studies classes offered online over the summer have all been made, so we have been able to continue to assist students who need options outside the regular fall or spring semesters,” said Dr. Johnson.

Waddell took the proper steps in order to petition to walk in May with 117 credit hours, speaking with Jennifer Green, associate Vice President of Enrollment and Student Success, “she believed I had a case to be able to walk,” said Waddell.

Last semester Waddell spoke to the Student Government Association’s (SGA’s) senate, explaining that many of Virginia state universities’ graduation policies offer a little more lenience, allowing students just shy of their requirements, six credits or less, to walk.

According to SGA’s President, Joseph Gills’, open letter to faculty senate, in which he addressed commencement policies of in-state Virginia universities and colleges, James Madison University states that students are allowed to participate in the May ceremony if “all requirements for graduation will be completed during the subsequent summer session, but the diploma will be not awarded until the end of the summer term.” Much like Waddell’s request to be given the opportunity to walk in May, and finish his required course during the summer intersession. Otherwise he would have to return for the fall 2015 semester, in which he would have to take an additional nine credits in order to be considered a full–time student.

Old Dominion University’s graduation requirements include a similar request stating, “Students who apply for graduation one week prior to the deadline for summer graduation may participate in spring commencement.”

Also, William and Mary states, “undergrads walk in May ceremony if they complete their degree requirements in either: May, the December/January preceding the May ceremony, the August following the May ceremony,” according to Virginia Institutions for Commencement policies in the open letter to faculty senate.

Longwood does not follow other Virginia state university policies that offer plans for students to walk six or less credits shy of graduating. Longwood has a policy of 120 credit hours must be completed in order to walk the commencement ceremony in May, and does not offer a fall or summer graduation ceremony. However, participating in the commencement ceremony is not mandatory in order to receive a final diploma.  

Waddell is planning on attending the first Faculty Senate meeting of the semester, Thursday, January 22, in where the topic of discussion has been on the agenda.

“We’re asking what are the criteria to be able to walk at the graduation ceremony should be,” said Dr. David Lehr, Chair of Faculty Senate. Faculty senate will explore the question Dr. Lehr addressed, “what if students are just shy of meeting graduation requirements, should they be able to walk during ceremony,” said Lehr. The general issue that will be called to attention during the meeting and the senate will revisit the policy and explore the option “to create flexibility,” said Lehr.

Dr. Lehr included that the faculty senate will look at the current policy and anticipates a productive discussion and vote on this topic, “one that students will be satisfied with for students who’ve done their requirements who are just shy,” said Dr. Lehr. 

Waddell is prepared to speak on behalf of students who may be in the similar situation by presenting his case to the senate.

Policy changes made by the faculty senate will be approved if the policy is sound for votes. Waddell was told by the office of Enrollment and Student Success if policy is passed, it would go into effect during this academic year, allowing Waddell to walk and finish up his major requirement course this summer. However, if the policy does not reach a conclusion, the policy vote may be pushed or tabled to revisit in February.

Waddell is still given the opportunity in May 2016 to walk, however if that was the case, he would have to wait a full year, “I would not come back to walk, I’d have to wait a full year, I don’t see the point to that,” said Waddell. After he spoke with Green, she described how this would affect a very small amount of people, it is estimated that under 50 students each year come to the office of Enrollment and Student Success who are two or three credits shy upon graduation.

However, when Waddell spoke with Enrollment, he mentioned that a money issue was among reasons for not allowing December or July walks for students in the same situation. 

Waddell stated he is pushing for him and other students to be able to walk because he is working hard to get his credits in on time, while taking 25 credits – 19 this spring semester, and six over the winter intersession. “It would be nice if the university would help out one of its students,” as Waddell spoke about how much he loves this university, supports Longwood athletics, and actively works on projects in academics.

“Really one of the main reasons I want to walk in May is for the closing of one door and the opening of another door,” said Waddell. Spending four years at college, Waddell has prepared to “go into my professional life, much like opening a new door, and putting a close on college,” without commencement Waddell added he feels that wouldn’t close the door of college, not feeling like he actually graduated.

Waddell mentioned commencement ceremonies are part of that closing of that one door, “it’s a big deal,” allowing family members to watch that celebration. “I’ve got family that are asking me now if I will be walking in May, who will come see me walk, and I’m telling them I don’t know, that’s hard.”  

Waddell added that if Longwood followed many of the other Virginia state university policies to allow students just shy of a few credits to walk at their commencement ceremony, he believes that would improve alumni relations. “I know I’d be more willing to give back to the community if they were willing to accommodate me and people in my situation,” said Waddell.