Decision on the Discontinuation of the Winter Commencement Ceremony at CCSU

To:  Chancellor Carter

Chancellor Carter:

Many undergraduate students of Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and their family members are disappointed by the recent decision to discontinue the University’s Winter Commencement as of the 2008-2009 school year. The names below represent some of the Undergraduate students and their family members who would like to express their concerns over their graduation plans due to the recent decision.

As the only University in the CSUS that holds a Winter Commencement, many Undergraduate students plan their last year or two at CCSU with the expectations of graduating at the end of the fall semester. We feel that it is extremely unfortunate that many graduates will have be inconvenienced six months later by a commencement ceremony as a result of last week’s decision. Graduates will be starting their careers, relocating due to job opportunities, or even teaching overseas. It is unfortunate that based on the decision, many students will not get to walk with their graduating class and make their families proud of their accomplishment at the completion of their studies.

As students, we are willing to compromise on a smaller, less extensive commencement ceremony to save on overall costs and even hold the Winter Commencement after the holidays. Regardless if the graduation rate has not increased, we feel that our efforts at CCSU should still be recognized. Some students even prefer to graduate in the winter because it is a more intimate ceremony, and in the long run, CCSU may lose out on tuition money because students will no longer have the privilege of extending their studies that extra half-semester. Many of us are the only college graduates of our families. We turn to you, and ask that the decision be overturned and current seniors be allowed to walk both in the fall of 2008 and the fall of 2009.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Decision on the Discontinuation of the Winter Commencement Ceremony at CCSU Petition to Chancellor Carter was created by Students of Central Connecticut State University and written by Julie Harris (harrisjua@ccsu.edu).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.