Fall commencement at WSSU, a thing of the past

Approximately 550 students are expected to  graduate from Winston-Salem State this fall.
This marks the second year the University has not held a formal commencement ceremony in December.
The WSSU administration decided to cancel the fall commencement  ceremony after considering several factors, including fiscal advantages.
According to Nancy Young, director of public relations, the cost of commencement ceremonies vary from year to year. However, the most important determining factor  for canceling was the timing of the ceremony.
“Because of the academic calendar, there was no way that the commencement could take place,” Young said.
“The ceremony would interfere with the Christmas holiday, and in addition to that, students would have no time to appeal or question a grade.”
Young explained that if a student had to appeal a grade, the process would not be complete until after graduation. And if the student’s grade is appealed, there is a chance that the student could miss graduation and would have to wait an extra semester to be recognized.
Young said that the unpredictable winter weather played a minor role in the University’s decision as well.
“One year {2009] there was a large snow storm that shut down the roads, so we were forced to cancel the commencement,” Young said.
“Many families from out of state were upset after having to cancel hotel reservations.”
The University has encouraged the three schools and the College of Arts and Sciences to host mid-year celebrations for their students who have fulfilled the academic requirements, according to Letitia Cornish, assistant provost for administration and planning.
The College of Arts and Sciences is hosting a celebratory for its graduates Dec. 13 in the McNeil Banquet Hall. About 150 graduates will be recognized by their respective department chairs. Interim Dean Carolynn Berry will preside, and selected graduates will give reflections about their experiences.
Similarly, the School of Education and Human Performance will hold its seventh annual mid-year celebration Dec. 11 in K.R. Williams Auditorium.
 Jessica Bailey, dean of the School of Business and Economics, said her school is having a dinner where outstanding students will be honored.
“My personal opinion is that Winston-Salem State University is not out of step with many other schools in eliminating the winter commencement,” Bailey said.
“It is a costly undertaking.”
Bailey said while the mid-year celebrations will be hosted in December across campus, all fall graduates are welcome to participate in the traditional spring commencement ceremony.