For decades, Michigan State University has allowed seniors who complete their degree requirements in the summer to walk at the spring graduation ceremonies. On March 9 2021, MSU announced that this would not be the case for 2021, and summer graduates will have to wait until the following December to celebrate their graduation with a commencement ceremony. This is unfair, as many seniors strategically planned their courses and schedules with the intent to walk in the spring. Many graduates plan to secure full time jobs, or move out of state and cannot return to East Lansing 6 months later for a ceremony. MSU announced this change 2 months into the semester, well past the drop/add period for classes, so students can’t alter their schedules to be able to complete requirements in the spring. Until the day this change was announced, the commencement page still read that summer graduates could participate in spring graduation. This is punishing those who take summer classes due to double majoring, financial reasons, learning disabilities, etc. Graduation is one of the most anticipated events of ones college career, and after such tumultuous academic year, MSU is stripping many students of this opportunity due to this decision. While we recognize that covid restrictions require low numbers for gatherings, ceremonies are by individual colleges in parking lots, creating small numbers and the ability to distance already. There are already multiple smaller ceramonies, what is a few more? We call on MSU to make an exception for summer graduates in some way, allowing them to walk in their hard earned graduation ceremonies. This could  mean allowing students with under a certain number of summer credits to walk, or creating additional ceremonies during commencement weekend for summer graduates. There are many possibilities. MSU, do what’s right.