Senior Harrison Waddell came into the spring not knowing if he would be able to participate in graduation. Waddell will be three credits short of Longwood University’s 120 credit hour requirement by the May 9, 2015 graduation date. But after the Longwood University Faculty Senate came to a vote, they passed the amendment allowing Waddell to walk.
“I feel very relieved and just,” said Waddell. “It is hard to describe how I feel currently, because I have worked for this for so long. Not only is it a victory for me, but for students in my situation for years to come.”
He continued, “I was very happy that they approved it after 45 minutes of discussion, at one point I was concerned that the policy would not pass due to the amount of discussion. I just want to thank the faculty senate for their efforts in regards to the graduation policy change.”
The amendment grants students who are one course and/or seven credits away from completion of the required hours, the ability to walk in the spring as long as they plan to finish up courses in the following summer, and/or fall.
The Faculty Senate moved to amend the current policy, which states that students who are in good academic standing, and have completed all requirements, shall be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony.
The senate moved to amend the policy to add seven credits or fever of one course shy upon graduation, the ability to walk at commencement. It was noted that in some cases there are students eight credits shy, which brought along discussion of the fact that students need 12 credit hours each semester in order to be considered full time. Faculty senate member, Dr. Jacqueline Hall, Associate Professor of Mathematics, made a point of clarification, “These are two different questions,” she said.
Senate then motioned to allow December graduates the ability to walk in their scheduled May commencement, rather than the May after, due to the shortage of credits needed in order to graduate on time. Dr. David Lehr, chair of Faculty Senate, called to question the amendment. Which stated that students would be allowed to walk, “Even though they haven’t completed requirements,” said Lehr.
Graduate student Leighan Worden spoke on behalf of the student section, stating many students who are running into the same problems upon graduation feel as though they are, “Missing memories.”
Dr. Tim Pierson, vice president of student affairs, said 2000 was the last year Longwood awarded actual diplomas during commencement ceremonies.
Jennifer Green, associate vice president of enrollment management and student success, estimated that ten to twenty students come forward to talk about this rule each year, but it directly affects countless more.
Lehr said, “Generally there is some flexibility allowing students to walk shy of their required credit hours,” referring to other colleges and universities policies.
It was noted that students would have to go to the department chair and registrar to make the approval of one course or the seven credit hour flexibility.
The motion was called to a vote on the additional one course change, reinstating students would be offered the ability to walk during commencement, seven credits and or one course shy upon graduation.
Student Constance Garner offered the student’s perspective, including she spoke with Dr. Pierson on the subject, while doing research from additional Virginia state institutions which have similar policies allowing students to walk credits shy of the required hours. “Going off the information on the website, students are allowed to walk if they can finish requirements within the summer following,” said Garner.
Dr. Lehr then called to close, calling a vote in which the motion passed, adding the amendment, allowing students one course and/or seven credits shy of requirements to walk during commencement. Waddell was thankful for his opportunity to walk with his fellow seniors and friends. “I just have a huge amount of gratitude towards Longwood University for what they have done for me over my four years here.
