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Battle Creek Enquirer, April 12, 2008

Letter to the editor

Graduation late fee questioned

I should graduate from Kellogg Community College's dental hygiene program this spring. However, I missed the application deadline for graduation. My schedule's tight (homework, boards, clinicals, work, family). It's still my fault. Two other classmates also missed the deadline. I tried the day after to submit it and discovered not only is there a stiff late fee, but encountered a rude attitude on behalf of one of the staff! The late fee's $75, and the staff member insinuated I'd still have to beg to graduate.

We were told the $75 is so students say "whoa!" and not do this again. Again?! Neither KCC's Web site nor the application form indicate a late fee will be charged; never mind that it's comparable with what loan sharks demand. A classmate paid the fee while being goaded by the same staff member. The point made was we needed to share the pain when that staff member needed to stay late processing these forms. The receipt showed the $75 as "cap and gown."

If this is a late fee, why was it recorded as "cap and gown"? Is this really what KCC wants for future alumni? Staff members treating the students rudely and possibly extorting money? To compensate for the "pain"? Because I'll remember this pain every time I receive a donation request when I finally graduate.

Stephanie Cameron

Battle Creek