MEREDITH
THE HERALD
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December 7, 2022
SAAC Stoles Survey for Student-Athlete Graduation Recognition By Evelyn Summers, Senior Copy Editor
The Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) hopes to garner community support for graduation stoles (Photo by Aminah Jenkins)
For years, college graduates have been displaying their academic success, participation in honor societies, fraternity or sorority affiliations, or recognition of their military service by wearing stoles to graduation. This year, members of the Meredith College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) pushed for athletes to receive recognition for their hard
work as student athletes during graduation ceremonies. The Herald spoke to Grace Olufemi-Ajayi, Class of ‘23 and Vice President of SAAC. "The objectively tiny pin (that is often covered up by the hair of graduates) is simply not enough recognition for years of tears, blood, sweat and passion given to the athletic [program] at Meredith College," she explained.
During this semester, Olufemi-Ajayi wrote the "Student-Athlete Stole & Recognition Proposal" and released a Google Form asking the student body their thoughts on this issue. In the proposal, it was written that "[The SAAC] believe[s] this is a more inclusive way of celebrating all student-athletes, regardless of their GPA or academic performance, something which Chi Alpha Sigma lacks." Chi Alpha Sigma is a chapter of the National College Athlete Honor Society, which "recognizes student-athletes who excel in both the classroom and in competition," according to the athletic program’s website. The "Student-Athlete Stole & Recognition Proposal" Google Form asked the questions "Do you think student athlete[s] should be allowed to wear a graduation stole that says ‘Student-Athlete’ on graduation day?" and "Do you think that a student's status as an athlete should be announced and recognized on graduation day?" Within five days of the Google Form being sent out, SAAC received 240 responses, with the majority being in favor of
this initiative. The Herald also spoke to Isabella Saudo,‘23, a member of the SAAC proposal committee, to hear her opinion on the matter. Saudo commented that "[she] was the one who actually brought up the idea to push for the studentathlete [stoles]." She also mentioned that "[she] think[s] stoles are a fantastic and simple way to recognize all student-athletes at graduation," especially since "Meredith already has wonderful ways of recognizing academics and certain clubs with stoles, so adding in the athletic perspective would really show how wellrounded and diverse the students of Meredith are." Saudo shared that she holds this opinion as a result of "seeing [her] teammates and other student-athletes not only going through the normal pressures of school but also going [through] and dealing with the pressures and strains that being an athlete [has] on [athletes’] bodies, minds and ability to perform [their] best outside of just [their] sport." The proposal has not yet been approved.
Section Editor Reflection: Features By Freya Dahlgren, Features Editor The purpose of the Features section is to produce Raleigh or Meredith-centric content typically containing interviews. The Features section of The Herald is committed to providing the Meredith community with accurate, timely information on things happening on and around campus. As 2022 comes to a close and the fall semester wraps up, it is fitting to reflect on accomplishments and highlights from the Features section of The Herald this semester. The Herald covered content such as security concerns, housing experiences, ring dinner, Cornhuskin’ and much more. Our Features content sparked conversations across campus and incited change and responses from groups like Residence Life. None of what we accomplished with the Features section of The Herald could have been done without our Meredith Community readers and support. In the upcoming semester, our hope is that the Features section will continue to engage the Meredith community and provide
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honest, well-researched and relevant reporting. Herald Reporters carry themselves with grace and honesty. I look forward to working with our Herald staff as I step away from the Features section and into an Associate Editor role. Through education, respect and willingness to explore, the Features section will thrive and continue to fulfill its mission. Editing for The Herald for the past year and a half has helped me to engage better with the Meredith community and grow as a person into the writer I am today. Stepping into this new role comes with greater responsibility and I look forward to fulfilling the position to the best of my ability. Student willingness to interview with us at the drop of a hat and to voice concerns for us to investigate situations around campus is truly a gift. The Herald sincerely thanks you for reading and engaging with the publication in every way that you continue to do. The Features section of The Herald would not be the same without you.
Responses compiled by Evelyn Summers, Senior Copy Editor Graphic by Freya Dahlgren, Features Editor
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