Zero Degrees
Chris Corradotrf
Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Before this semester began, I received an e-mail stating that I wouldn't be able to graduate in December.
The message, sent to me and a number of other seniors preparing for graduation, said that we would not have the minimum 124 hours to graduate and/or 40 hours needed from classes numbered 299 and above. The scary part is that failure to meet these requirements means no graduation.
I thought I had all credits necessary to finish off my college career fall semester, but the letter said otherwise.
I needed to figure out what to do next - graduating in December was definitely a high priority.
I looked over my handbook, checklist and final audit to uncover the problem.
I couldn't find anything missing.
I spoke with another concerned senior who received the same e-mail.
Geoff Blackman, a senior mass communication major from Maryland, said that if he had to wait around another semester it would disappoint his parents, cause him to pay more out-of-state tuition and affect his health insurance since he only receives full coverage for being a full-time student.
Director of student services in the college of arts and sciences, Lynn Harand, said that clarification was made within 24 hours but it is unfortunate that incorrect information was sent.
She said she heard an unusual amount of complaints from Winthrop students.
I was frustrated and concerned myself.
I have been working and going to school full-time for the past three years and I have done everything I was advised to do, but I discovered that it wasn't good enough from a simple e-mail.
I searched for an explanation.
The program in the computer was run incorrectly, according to Tim Drueke, registrar in Tillman Hall.
A whole semester was erased - like it never even happened.
It's required that every student must have at least 40 hours in classes numbered above 299 to graduate, but the computer system didn't recognize some of those hours, Drueke said.
The problem with the computer program was probably a mistake and seniors, like me, can breathe again.
But this e-mail, that paralyzed many seniors with fear, shouldn't have been sent until humans - not machines - properly reviewed and decided the rest of our academic career.
The message, sent to me and a number of other seniors preparing for graduation, said that we would not have the minimum 124 hours to graduate and/or 40 hours needed from classes numbered 299 and above. The scary part is that failure to meet these requirements means no graduation.
I thought I had all credits necessary to finish off my college career fall semester, but the letter said otherwise.
I needed to figure out what to do next - graduating in December was definitely a high priority.
I looked over my handbook, checklist and final audit to uncover the problem.
I couldn't find anything missing.
I spoke with another concerned senior who received the same e-mail.
Geoff Blackman, a senior mass communication major from Maryland, said that if he had to wait around another semester it would disappoint his parents, cause him to pay more out-of-state tuition and affect his health insurance since he only receives full coverage for being a full-time student.
Director of student services in the college of arts and sciences, Lynn Harand, said that clarification was made within 24 hours but it is unfortunate that incorrect information was sent.
She said she heard an unusual amount of complaints from Winthrop students.
I was frustrated and concerned myself.
I have been working and going to school full-time for the past three years and I have done everything I was advised to do, but I discovered that it wasn't good enough from a simple e-mail.
I searched for an explanation.
The program in the computer was run incorrectly, according to Tim Drueke, registrar in Tillman Hall.
A whole semester was erased - like it never even happened.
It's required that every student must have at least 40 hours in classes numbered above 299 to graduate, but the computer system didn't recognize some of those hours, Drueke said.
The problem with the computer program was probably a mistake and seniors, like me, can breathe again.
But this e-mail, that paralyzed many seniors with fear, shouldn't have been sent until humans - not machines - properly reviewed and decided the rest of our academic career.
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