Due to the shortage of graduates and potential for saving money, Baldwin Wallace University decided to cancel the Fall 2026 Commencement. 

At this point in our academic careers, Fall 2026 graduates consist largely of people going above and beyond to graduate early, or working extra hard to graduate as soon as they could. The decision to cancel this commencement disregards the effort, time management, and dedication of these students. While we acknowledge the need for schools to make financially responsible decisions, we don't want our individual accomplishments to go unacknowledged or not celebrated. 

Finding out this news could've influenced several of our decisions as to whether we want to continue with the workload it would require to graduate in this time frame. Balancing extra work on top of extracurricular activity is no simple feat, but one that was conquered by several of the students who are denied the opportunity to graduate when intended. To many of us, the lack of walking in the fall leaves the attachment of association here at BW, and if that symbolic attachment were to be maintained without a commencement, many of us could have had the opportunity to choose a lighter workload and more time to enjoy the social aspect of the university and choose to graduate in the spring instead.

Some families have already been informed and were planning on attending the original December Commencement date. Those who have notified their out-of-state family to make the appropriate plans have to now change plane tickets and travel arrangements. Additionally, more students might not even choose to walk, as plans, jobs, and finances can make it impossible for them to come back and have that special moment.

A couple of suggestions have been made by the student body to lessen the costs of commencement and ensure an efficient, but still special, ceremony

• Lessen the number of public speakers to those who are willing to volunteer their time
  • Options include keeping only Pres. Lee Fisher and the Student Body President
• Have film and media students perform the streaming for a fraction of the cost, or resume experience
  • Though the film program is teaching out, the media production program is still present and accepting enrollments
  • This includes student photographers as well as student orchestras or WBWC for music
• Increase ticket sales that are not a part of the immediate 6 guarantees for graduates

BW cuts have continued to devalue and invalidate the experience of the student. Cutting our majors and our graduations can be avoided with proper changes to the ceremony instead of eliminations entirely.