Winter Commencements to Continue

December 04, 2009

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Dec. 4, 2009) - SUNY Plattsburgh President John Ettling announced today that the college will continue to host winter commencement ceremonies. In response to increasing budget cuts by the state of New York, the college had considered eliminating winter commencements as a way to reduce expenses.

"Although we will continue to seek ways to trim our budget in the face of reduced fiscal support from the state, we have decided that there are certain traditions that must be maintained," said Ettling. "Commencement is one of them, whether it is in May or December."

In announcing the decision to go forward with all winter commencement ceremonies, Ettling cited the difficulties to those students who would need to return six months later to celebrate their accomplishments.

"Doing so," he said, "would be a particular burden for our graduates who may have to travel a great distance to participate in a single ceremony."

While the administration feels this decision is best for students, its work of finding ways to reduce spending will continue.

"In the meantime, we are continuing to implement changes that reduce our budget but that have the least impact on our core mission of providing a quality education for students," said Ettling.