Oakwood seniors concerned about graduation status days before ceremony

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - In just two days, Oakwood University’s Class of 2025 will receive their diplomas, but there’s a lot of confusion about who will be eligible to walk across the stage.

Oakwood’s senior class leaders have been going back and forth with the school in the past week.

In a letter to the university last Saturday, the senior class president said many students were told they were good to go for graduation earlier this year, then told recently that they owe thousands of dollars in fees, which must be paid before this Saturday’s graduation.

The class president claimed on Saturday that because of this financial confusion, only around 30 of the 256 students in the class are cleared to participate in graduation.

She also cited concerns about grades being entered late, with some students unsure if they’re getting the credits they need this semester.

However, the university told WAFF 48 on Thursday that around 75% of the senior class is on track to meet requirements, and they expect that number to increase before graduation.

But senior officers say that because there are still “unresolved financial system issues”, they want the school to let every senior walk on Saturday.

When asked about this request, an Oakland University spokesman said, “There is currently a long-standing policy in place that states students must be 100% financially cleared, a condition the majority of the class has met.”

Some Oakwood seniors expressed their concerns on Thursday, saying this is a very delicate situation for everyone.

School officials declined to speak on camera but said to expect an update from them on Friday.

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