EditorialThe tassel given to Aljanal Carroll, who earned a doctoral degree from Walden University, an online, for-profit school, after three years and tens of thousands of dollars in unexpected tuition costs, in Charlotte, N.C., Jan. 23, 2022. (Alycee Byrd/The New York Times)
EditorialA golden tassel, signifying high academic performance, belonging to John Gargano, who was released from prison after a clemency petition and recently graduated from New York University, in the Bronx, May 20, 2021. (Gregg Vigliotti/The New York Times)