As many of you know, and have already been affected, SUNY Old Westbury has just recently changed their graduation requirements, yet again. Teacher Education seniors were able to attend May commencement, if they finished all of their coursework and 100 hour observation, while still being able to student teach in the following fall semester. Some have even had the opportunity to attend May commencement, while still needing extra classes AND student teaching. As of May 2009, neither option is allowed for graduating seniors. THE NEW RULE: Students are able to attend May commencement if they ONLY have 6 credits OR LESS to complete, if taken over the summer semester. This rule is bias against Teacher Education majors, seeing that student teaching is 12 CREDITS. In addition, we cannot student teach over the summer and have no choice but to wait until the fall semester to take student teaching. This issue does not affect other students, who have more vast options. Education majors are also, probably the only major where vital classes needed for graduation are only offered ONCE A YEAR. Another factor that effects our graduation process. Many of us scramble to take 5 classes a semester (or which is now been forbidden), over intercessions and take additional classes at NCC or local colleges, in order to finish up our coursework requirements in a timely fashion. It is UNJUST that graduating students, in other majors, are able to attend commencement while still missing 6 credits (or 1.5-2 classes). While Student Teaching is 12 credits, yet is not really considered a "class." Instead, Teacher Education students would have to wait an extra year to attend commencement. Finally, commencement is a ceremony. We are not asking to receive our diplomas early. Most students would like to attend commencement for the pictures, having a "graduation" and for our families. It is utterly bizarre to wait an entire year to attend commencement, while most of us will already be enrolled in graduate programs or will already have jobs. The majority of students in this category do not come back to attend commencement anyway. After years, stress and hard work... we deserve a cap and gown! INSTEAD: - Allow students to attend May commencement if they are student teaching in the following fall semester. Obviously, they will not receive their diplomas until they complete and pass student teaching. - Acknowledge that student teaching is 12 credits. Most students who are at this level have already completed their coursework. Students in other majors, who are allowed to attend May commencement, with 6 uncompleted credits, HAVE NOT completed their coursework. There is a vital difference. - If the above cannot be compromised: then add a summer or winter graduation ceremony, for students who will be student teaching in the fall. PLEASE SIGN & pass this along to other students at SUNY Old Westbury. This issue effects everyone. Hopefully we can do something before the May 2009 commencement ceremony (May 17, 2009). Students who already purchased their cap and gown were refunded and unregistered for commencement because of this very issue. OUR GOAL IS AT LEAST 100 SIGNATURES! ******* PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FULL NAME, in order to prove the validity of your identity. This way if the administration has an issue with our signatures, they can prove our existence. ASK FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS to identify the relationship of the person whom they are signing in honor for. ******* And please remember to keep comments professional.