The College of Charleston has stated that students completing their degree requirements in the Summer term of 2022 are allowed to walk in May 2022 Commencement Ceremonies, however if these students are eligible for Latin Honors by having a GPA of 3.5 or higher, they will not be acknowledged for this achievement at the ceremony. 

All Latin Honors are awarded presumptively, thus students graduating and walking in May receive the honor they cumulatively achieved during the previous fall semester. In other words, there is no provided explanation for this discrepancy between Summer and Spring graduates. 

I am a student at the College of Charleston being directly affected by this policy. As a Geology major, I am required to complete a field studies class that is only offered during summer terms. In light of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, this class has not been offered in person for the past two years and I have been repeatedly advised to wait until this summer to take the class, which is now offered in person. 

I have already exhausted my options by appealing to President Hsu and other officials to change this policy, and have been denied without explanation. Please consider signing this petition to help myself and others in similar situations be recognized for achieving Latin Honors through years of dedication!