Do you want to make your graduation meaningful for you and the world you live in? We should all think about making the graduation pledge part of the SCSU commencement ceremony.
The graduation pledge is a non-legally binding contract for graduates to sign that says, "I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of the organizations for which I work." The pledge suggests that graduates will make an effort to search for socially and environmentally friendly jobs after graduation. But at the same time it does not say that people cannot work for any company they wish. The pledge is optional and written in a way that means something for everyone who takes it, but leaves enough space for the individual to decide exactly what it means for themselves.
Many graduates from about 50 campuses around the United States are taking the graduation pledge. Some of the universities have taken the pledge in a variety of ways that are not difficult to add into the commencement ceremony. Some schools have had the pledge-takers wear green ribbons on their graduation gowns, a certificate for students to sign and keep, a poster for students to sign or give the students cards that say they have taken this pledge on one side and on the other information about where to look for socially responsible careers. Some universities also make some sort of note in the commencement program beside the student's names who have taken this pledge and also mention it briefly in the program itself.
I feel that SCSU should adopt the graduation pledge as a way of showing that its students are taking the initiative to take responsibility for their contributions to the world. It also shows that SCSU is taking the right steps towards diversity and social responsibility as a state university in a world that needs systems and people who take responsibility for their actions.
If you are interested in helping make the graduation pledge happen at SCSU send e-mail to SCSUpledgeproject @yahoogroups.com.
Jessica Karpinske
Senior
Social Work/Human Relations
