Students Outraged After USC Cancels August 2016 Commencement
Start writing a post
Student Life

Students Outraged After USC Cancels August 2016 Commencement

University to "experiment" with new commencement calendar.

20
Students Outraged After USC Cancels August 2016 Commencement

The University of South Carolina has decided to eliminate the August 2016 graduation ceremony, forcing students who would have originally walked the stage during this time to wait until the December ceremony.

Those planning for their August commencement are outraged by the short notice decision, which was quietly announced after students had already been advised, and some even registered, for the spring semester. The official announcement stated that the university is to “experiment with a new commencement calendar in 2016” that would include only May and December ceremonies. It attributed the change to “several years of declining interest in the August ceremony among graduating students and participation rates well below 50 percent of eligible graduates.”

In addition, the school states that eliminating the August commencement will encourage students to graduate in four years, “rather than assuming the additional cost of an extra summer term.” This, however, insinuates that all students are capable of graduating on a 4-year track.

Katie Ricks, a senior sports entertainment management major, was told at her freshman orientation that she was entering a four and a half year program. Because of this, Ricks planned on graduating in August of 2016 since entering in Fall of 2012.

“I've worked for four years to walk across the stage when my time comes, and now they're not giving me that opportunity,” Ricks said. “Now I have to wait four months to walk. What if I have a job that won't let me take that leave? What if my entry-level position doesn't pay enough for me to travel back?”

Ricks is not the only student with concerns about waiting an extra four months to graduate.

USC senior Lauren Gubosh is double majoring in international business and accounting, and does not believe she should be penalized for needing a little extra time.

“I would love to say that I will be able to attend December commencement, but it's not that easy,” Gubosh said. “I want to work overseas. This would really hinder my ability to get back to South Carolina, especially since I would have already completed my graduation requirements six months prior.”

Even more infuriating to the student body is how quietly the university announced their decision. It can be found in a small hyperlink featured in the weekly e-mail newsletter, but it is not posted on any social media sites, nor has anyone received direct notification regarding the decision.

“An advisor told me I was the first person to ask about the commencement cancellation in the business school,” Gubosh said. “Do you know how frustrating that is? We deserve to know that the date we’ve looked forward to for our entire collegiate career is no longer happening. We should have been notified before advisement, before we all signed up for our last full semester.”

The school has stated they will “collect feedback and track participation in ceremonies before making a final determination about the 2017 commencement calendar,” which leaves the class of 2016 wondering why they were chosen to be the guinea pig, and how the university could possibly gather the information they seek in a short 10-month period.

“It bothers me a lot,” Clare Kelly, senior criminal justice student, said. “This date was too close. The fairest way to do this would have been to cancel August commencement for the incoming freshman class so that they can prepare their course schedules. And that way USC would find out if it truly encourages people to finish in four years or not.”

Currently, the December commencement ceremony is set for the 12th. In an updated version of the university's announcement, it stated that students will still receive their diplomas in early fall if they meet their graduation requirements during the summer term.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52051
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33437
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956274
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181186
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments