Student petitions SA

Anonymous

Wed Mar 3 2010 23:03

Sat Feb 27 Anonymous here:

I must offer props for you to come and actually confront the comments that were posted at a previous time. I think that you offered a much better explanation for your petition than what was offered in the article [I understand space restrictions apply -- but that doesn't mean they couldn't go more thorough here online] and now it doesn't sounds quite as selfish as previous prevented.

I thank you for coming here to defend your feeling. I still feel that because you already had the opportunity to speak out at your high school graduation, you shouldn't here, but I still also feel that the process should be changed to allow all Cum Laude graduates too. A 3.4 is still a very good GPA, it reflects that students have worked hard to get there.

Nicole Herself

Mon Mar 1 2010 14:17

Hi this is Nicole!
And in regards to the comment that was posted a little while ago I would like to remark...

Well I do understand your point of view, about being selfish and wanting to speak again, a key point in the article that you may have missed is that my main goal from the beginning was to get the whole process changed. I thought the process was unfair, not just the fact that I wasn't allowed to speak. If the only change that comes out of this is that more of my peers are allowed to submit an application and get a chance to address the graduating class I will be thrilled.

Even with the changes now being set in place I am still not guaranteed to be able to address my fellow graduates. Myself, just like everyone else has to submit a speech and the best one is picked. There is still competition involved. But now even more people are allowed to apply.

And as far as my reasoning goes there are a number of reasons why I wanted to do it. Plattsburgh, as it has done for many other people, has shaped who I have becomes as an adult. It has done more for me in my 4 years than anything else I have done in my life. I want to relay to students how incredible an opportunity this was for me, and what could be accomplished when you apply yourself, and reach outside of your comfort zone. ALSO, I am not claiming I will write the best speech, many people have had an equally rewarding experience, but I at least wanted the chance to apply. Attention was and will never be my goal. The attention deserves to go to all of those graduating, for all of their hard work and diligence.

Thank you for letting me clarify that and if you would like to speak to be more about my reasons for doing this please feel free to get in touch with me personally

MAY THE BEST SPEECH WIN!

Anonymous

Sat Feb 27 2010 14:34

I don't want this comment to sound like her idea is a bad one, but I think there are many things missing here. First, the article makes it seem self-centered - wanting to give the commencement speech because she did it in high school. The way it is presented, it seems as if she wants people to praise her for her accomplishments, as she wants the attention. Is there a reason why she wants to give the commencement speech other than "I've done it before."? What makes her speech any different than the speeches that any other ineligible speaker would give?

As already stated, she already had the honor and opportunity of being able to speak before her classmates when she was in high school. Because of this, someone else should be granted this opportunity - someone who has never had the opportunity to speak before their classmates but wanted to.

With that said, I do agree that the requirement to speak at commencement should be lowered - to one of two figures: Either to cover all those graduating with honors (3.4 or higher), or because the Dean's List is set at this, 3.5 or higher. There are many people who do work hard, and excel in some classes, but there are other classes that are more of a challenge.

To Nicole, if you are reading this comment:

I know this post seems brutal, but look at the positives. You've already had the opportunity to speak before your classmates at a high school graduation, and since you have that tape, take a look as you look at how you have done as a Plattsburgh State student. You should be proud of your Cum Laude status. It is something that many students want to achieve, but only a few get to. In addition, you have pushed yourself for four years, and the end result will be you having a good GPA that you can boast to employers as you prepare for a career after Plattsburgh State. Personally, I know that if I leave here this semester in Cum Laude status, I will be very proud of the achievements that I have made, not disappointed because I was unable to speak before my classmates at graduation.

Anonymous

Fri Feb 26 2010 15:32

I highly doubt looking at the criteria for speaking at graduation was the very first thing on her mind. I applaud her for having the courage to seek change. Negative criticism is completely out of place here.

Anonymous

Thu Feb 25 2010 15:57

What I admire about NIcole is that instead of forgetting about it and moving on she decided to try and change the system. She truly cares about SUNY Plattsburgh and I would love to hear when she has to say.

Anonymous

Wed Feb 24 2010 23:45

the dec. 2009 speaker was horrible...and uninvolved in campus activities.

Anonymous

Wed Feb 24 2010 10:55

I know Ms. Immerso and she values academics very highly and does not in any way mean to belittle those people that have achieved excellence in their field of study. Rather what she was trying to get across was that any student walking at graduation has met the requirements to be there and should feel represented, not only a select few.

Anonymous

Sat Feb 20 2010 20:27

If Ms. Immerso is so adamant that she could give a better graduation speech than some of those from commencements gone by, let's hear what she's got. Cardinal Points next week?

D.L.

Sat Feb 20 2010 15:24

Why is it assumed that a person with a GPA of 3.7 or higher does nothing but study? I have a 3.74 overall, I have an on-campus job, I'm the president of a club and I'm the chairperson of an active academic-focused committee on campus. I participated in Hall Council when I lived in the dorms, and I was an R.A. for a semester. I'd say that's well-rounded. And you act as if the committee who reviews speeches doesn't take those extras into account - of course they do. Who is speaking is part of what makes a speech good and they know that. I think those who work the hardest should be rewarded with the honor of speaking at graduation.

Maybe I'll apply...

'07 Alumni

Fri Feb 19 2010 15:16

Nicole Immerso is the Rosa Parks of cum laude students! There is no reason to arbitrarily restrict cum laude students from speaking at graduation, in fact, it's academic elitism at its worst.

I had to sit through the worst commencement speech of all time in 2007 about the three freaking laws of thermodynamics from a summa cum laude. Everyone in the entire Stafford Arena groaned through the entire thing.

Immerso deserves to speak for the 2010 commencement.

Anonymous

Fri Feb 19 2010 12:17

I completly agree that a change is desperattey needed and that the criteria ought to be modeled on the criteria used for ODK. They are based on excellence in 5 areas of campus life - Scholarship, Athletics, Campus Governance& Religious Activities, Creative and Performing Arts, and Journalism and the Mass Media. Using these five criteria, you cover the need for a high academic standard of achievement but also cover the need for a more well-rounded campus citizen and leader. This method shoud get you a speaker who would be recognized by many graduates rather than the usual speaker in the past who nobody knows.

Anonymous

Fri Feb 19 2010 09:47

Maybe she should have LOOKED AT THE CRITERIA when she STEPPED ON CAMPUS with her lofty dream. That's what a smart person who REALLY wanted it would have done -- not wait until the last year.