Graduation ceremony petition started

Student petition directed to administration for creation of December commencement

A petition to create an additional graduation ceremony in December was drafted Wednesday by Cal State Long Beach students.

The winter ceremony, which would include graduates from all CSULB colleges, is estimated to cost between $50,000 and $60,000, said Karl Anatol, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs.

President Robert Maxson said that he would support a winter graduation only if Anatol recommends it, which is why the students addressed their petition to Anatol.

"Considering the amount of students who finish their education mid-year, it's about time that they receive proper recognition," said A.S. Vice President Alma Salazar at Wednesday's meeting.

Students may sign the petition at the Associated Students Inc. reception desk on the second floor of the University Students Union.

The petition was initiated by Daily Forty-Niner Managing Editor Virginia McCrum, who asked A.S. President Suzie Aramesh to bring the issue to the students through the A.S. Senate.

A.S. Administrator Jill Griffith volunteered to organize and supervise the petition project and has asked the A.S. Senate members to collect signatures from their interested constituents.

For more information, call (310) 985-4251.