Let the Class of 2026 walk at graduation
Let the Class of 2026 walk at graduation
Recent signers:
Gevelle-Marie Sam Lezama and 19 others have signed recently.
The Issue
Graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone. For many of us, it represents overcoming immense personal and structural challenges. Walking the stage is not optional—it is the recognition of our journey. We, the Class of 2026 at Hunter College, have spent years pouring our heart and soul into achieving our academic dreams. For most of us, this has meant navigating rigorous coursework, working multiple jobs, and enduring financial sacrifices, all while striving to succeed academically.
Now, we face a decision that threatens to eclipse all our hard work: the debilitating news that we will not be allowed the opportunity to walk across the stage during our commencement ceremony. Graduation should be a time of celebration and recognition, yet this exclusion diminishes the completion of our degree to a mere administrative transaction.
Research shows that the opportunity to walk at graduation ceremonies enhances students' experience, providing closure and celebration which are crucial for mental well-being and motivation for future endeavors (Huffington Post, "Why Graduation Memories Matter", 2018). The tradition of walking across the stage to receive one's diploma has long been a symbolic reward for years of academic effort—recognition that we, students of Hunter College, firmly believe we have earned.
By signing this petition, you support our request to the administration of Hunter College to rescind this decision and immediately reinstate the tradition of letting students walk at graduation. We propose that the administration consider the venues to safely accommodate the ceremony, explore creative alternatives like staggering commencement over multiple sessions, or implementing a reservation system to comply with space restrictions or health guidelines.
The Class of 2026 hopes the administration values our journey as much as we do. Join us in asking Hunter College to make our graduation a meaningful commemoration of our effort and perseverance.
Please sign this petition to help us walk the stage we rightfully deserve and acknowledge our hard-earned achievements.
Now, we face a decision that threatens to eclipse all our hard work: the debilitating news that we will not be allowed the opportunity to walk across the stage during our commencement ceremony. Graduation should be a time of celebration and recognition, yet this exclusion diminishes the completion of our degree to a mere administrative transaction.
Research shows that the opportunity to walk at graduation ceremonies enhances students' experience, providing closure and celebration which are crucial for mental well-being and motivation for future endeavors (Huffington Post, "Why Graduation Memories Matter", 2018). The tradition of walking across the stage to receive one's diploma has long been a symbolic reward for years of academic effort—recognition that we, students of Hunter College, firmly believe we have earned.
By signing this petition, you support our request to the administration of Hunter College to rescind this decision and immediately reinstate the tradition of letting students walk at graduation. We propose that the administration consider the venues to safely accommodate the ceremony, explore creative alternatives like staggering commencement over multiple sessions, or implementing a reservation system to comply with space restrictions or health guidelines.
The Class of 2026 hopes the administration values our journey as much as we do. Join us in asking Hunter College to make our graduation a meaningful commemoration of our effort and perseverance.
Please sign this petition to help us walk the stage we rightfully deserve and acknowledge our hard-earned achievements.
Dwright WardPetition Starter
1,147
Recent signers:
Gevelle-Marie Sam Lezama and 19 others have signed recently.
The Issue
Graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone. For many of us, it represents overcoming immense personal and structural challenges. Walking the stage is not optional—it is the recognition of our journey. We, the Class of 2026 at Hunter College, have spent years pouring our heart and soul into achieving our academic dreams. For most of us, this has meant navigating rigorous coursework, working multiple jobs, and enduring financial sacrifices, all while striving to succeed academically.
Now, we face a decision that threatens to eclipse all our hard work: the debilitating news that we will not be allowed the opportunity to walk across the stage during our commencement ceremony. Graduation should be a time of celebration and recognition, yet this exclusion diminishes the completion of our degree to a mere administrative transaction.
Research shows that the opportunity to walk at graduation ceremonies enhances students' experience, providing closure and celebration which are crucial for mental well-being and motivation for future endeavors (Huffington Post, "Why Graduation Memories Matter", 2018). The tradition of walking across the stage to receive one's diploma has long been a symbolic reward for years of academic effort—recognition that we, students of Hunter College, firmly believe we have earned.
By signing this petition, you support our request to the administration of Hunter College to rescind this decision and immediately reinstate the tradition of letting students walk at graduation. We propose that the administration consider the venues to safely accommodate the ceremony, explore creative alternatives like staggering commencement over multiple sessions, or implementing a reservation system to comply with space restrictions or health guidelines.
The Class of 2026 hopes the administration values our journey as much as we do. Join us in asking Hunter College to make our graduation a meaningful commemoration of our effort and perseverance.
Please sign this petition to help us walk the stage we rightfully deserve and acknowledge our hard-earned achievements.
Now, we face a decision that threatens to eclipse all our hard work: the debilitating news that we will not be allowed the opportunity to walk across the stage during our commencement ceremony. Graduation should be a time of celebration and recognition, yet this exclusion diminishes the completion of our degree to a mere administrative transaction.
Research shows that the opportunity to walk at graduation ceremonies enhances students' experience, providing closure and celebration which are crucial for mental well-being and motivation for future endeavors (Huffington Post, "Why Graduation Memories Matter", 2018). The tradition of walking across the stage to receive one's diploma has long been a symbolic reward for years of academic effort—recognition that we, students of Hunter College, firmly believe we have earned.
By signing this petition, you support our request to the administration of Hunter College to rescind this decision and immediately reinstate the tradition of letting students walk at graduation. We propose that the administration consider the venues to safely accommodate the ceremony, explore creative alternatives like staggering commencement over multiple sessions, or implementing a reservation system to comply with space restrictions or health guidelines.
The Class of 2026 hopes the administration values our journey as much as we do. Join us in asking Hunter College to make our graduation a meaningful commemoration of our effort and perseverance.
Please sign this petition to help us walk the stage we rightfully deserve and acknowledge our hard-earned achievements.
Dwright WardPetition Starter
429 people signed this week
1,147
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Petition created on 5 May 2026