Though the most apparent difference has been the earlier graduation date this spring, there have also been a few other subtler changes to graduation, noticeably with the “no-walk policy” for seniors. The no-walk policy explains the situations in which seniors can receive diplomas but can’t participate in the graduation ceremony, and this year, there have been two major changes to this policy.
These changes limit the instances in which the school can bar students from walking and receiving a diploma during graduation. Dean of Students Mr. James Stanley commented, “There are now fewer instances in which not walking would be the consequence for disciplinary actions.”
For one, under the changed policy, a student would only be barred from walking during graduation if he or she had been suspended during the last week of school. This also applies if a student is serving a prior suspension that is still in effect on the day of graduation. In the past, if a senior was suspended any time after Spring Long Weekend, he or she would not participate in graduation, but the diploma would be sent through the mail. In addition, if a senior was placed on probation any time after Spring Long Weekend, he or she would also not be able to attend graduation. The case used to be that if a senior broke any school rule after the end of classes, whether it was a probation-level offense or a major school rule violation, that senior would not be allowed to walk at graduation.
The rationale behind the alterations to the policy is to change the punishment so that the consequence affects the student more and the family less. Mr. Stanley explained, “Talking with families about their child not being able to walk at graduation is one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do. It’s utterly heartbreaking for the parents and for the siblings, and that is not the point of discipline. The point of having consequences at this time of year is to ensure that people continue to live within the expectation of the school, but the consequence should be tied to that individual more than to their family.” However, he continued, “There are violations so egregious that we cannot have the student walk across the stage.”
Most of the faculty members were in support of this policy. According to Mr. Stanley, “The faculty voted very strongly in favor of the changes to the no-walk policy when it was presented at our faculty meeting.”
This new no-walk policy will also be easier to enforce because of the earlier graduation date. In particular, enforcing “holdover” will be easier. Holdover occurs when a student, usually a senior, stays on campus after the term for three to five days if she had committed a probation-level offence, and the Dean of Students believes that a punishment after the term is appropriate. Seniors who are held over will still take part in graduation, but will not receive the diploma until the holdover ends. This year, seniors under holdover will stay on campus to do supervised work crew. In previous years, enforcing holdover was complicated, as all underformers were gone from campus, and major buildings such as the dining hall and health center were closed. However, the earlier graduation date this year has eliminated several of the obstacles for holding a student when campus has shut down.
Most seniors have reacted positively to the changes to the policy. Nat Kerman ’16 said, “I like the idea that it’s not going to hurt the families as much. I’m rarely of the mind that the administration is out to get you, so I like this way that the policy doesn’t completely eliminate blame on the student whilst helping the families.”
Grace Tully ’16 also viewed the changes positively. She remarked, “I think it’s a good change because not walking at graduation is more of a punishment for the family and not for the student. Just imagine a family flying across the country to see their child graduate and not having the opportunity. It would really put more stress on the family, not the student.”
However, some seniors have more mixed feelings about the changes to the no-walk policy. Katie Overstrum ’16 commented, “It’s hard to know whether I support it or not, because while it protects the students and allows them to have that last opportunity to be with their class, it de-emphasizes the values of Choate. I think you should still be acting like a Choate student in order to receive your diploma.”
