THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 10, 1995 TAG: 9510100249
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CARIN PRESCOTT, CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
The faculty of Virginia Wesleyan College has turned down a proposal from seniors to begin holding a winter graduation ceremony.
But in a compromise, the professors suggested that students be given their diplomas whenever they complete their graduation requirements.
A group of seniors petitioned the college to begin holding a December ceremony so students who completed their requirements early wouldn't have to wait until May to get their diplomas - and participate in a commencement.
Faculty members said the graduation could not take place before finals in December, because seniors still taking courses wouldn't be able to get their diplomas.
If the graduation were after finals, they said, there would be different problems.
Finals end on a Wednesday, but to give parents a chance to attend, the ceremony would not be held before Saturday. However, keeping students on campus for three more days would be a burden to them and the college, the professors said.
``Administration was inclined to accept the will of the faculty,'' said Stephen Mansfield, interim vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college.
``We'll present that to the executive Board of Trustees, and my assumption is that they'll accept it.''
Bobbi Adams, Wesleyan's registrar, described the faculty plan as a ``good substitute. If the Board of Trustees approves it, whenever anyone completes their graduation requirements, they will receive their diploma at that time.''
At a meeting Friday, some professors said they thought students were more concerned about getting their diplomas early than having an early ceremony.
Others said that holding a December graduation was simply impractical.
Senior Wendy Clear was disappointed by the decision. ``I was so upset,'' she said. ``I was crying in class. I personally feel betrayed because certain figures of authority misled me to think the outcome would be different.''
Another senior, Susan Fussell, said, ``I'm upset we couldn't have a ceremony in December, but I'm at least thankful faculty members realize the importance of issuing degrees.''
She added, ``When you choose to graduate a semester early in December, you're making certain sacrifices, and at Wesleyan one of those sacrifices is not graduation ceremony.'' by CNB