Due to the spread of novel COVID-19, the University of Louisville, as well as many other colleges and educational institutions around the country, has decided to discontinue face-to-face instruction and proceed with virtual instruction for the remainder of the semester. While this decision greatly serves the American population and our communities by limiting social interaction and exposure to the virus, it puts the students of UofL at an educational disadvantage for a variety of reasons.

First, this system of learning through virtual instruction prevents meeting with professors and TAs in person. While we can still interact with our professors and TAs through email, phone, and video-calling, there are limitations including one's time zone, WIFI availability, logistical organization, etc. Additionally, by no fault of their own, many professors and students are simply not prepared for this transition. This pandemic has put both students and professors in inconvenienced teaching and learning positions.

Furthermore, virtual instruction will cause a great deal of difficulty for professors and TAs. Classes in which participation is weighed heavily will be difficult to grade by just considering the first half of the semester. It is unfair for both the professors and the students to have to find alternative ways to measure and quantify this part of education, which is especially prominent in fine arts classes, foreign language classes, and hands-on labs.

Moreover, the University of Louisville is a very diverse community with students coming from all parts of the globe. International and domestic students living outside of Kentuckywho are now expected to return to off campus homes after March 29th will ultimately be forced to stay up or wake up at strange times to "attend" virtual classes, which can lead to lack of sleep, an increase in anxiety and additional stress. For instance, lectures starting at 8 am in Louisville would require that students living on the West Coast be up at 5 am to participate in the class. For international students who returned home, this means even earlier/later times. We have over 600 international students from approximately 43 countries, and it would be an injustice to discount their academic needs during this crisis. To expect our students to follow a straining regiment in the middle of a semester puts students at academic risk. As we take the time to express our unique experiences as students living in what some of us still think is nothing but a dream, some fellow classmates are even being expected to take online exams beginning March 18th. Meanwhile, the incessant chimes from our emails indicating further alterations to our lives do not seem to come to a halt. Our unique and subjective situations are now being hindered from all aspects of life, and the sudden switch to online classes has not made the situation any easier.

The move to virtual classes also jeopardizes the mental health of a plethora of students. They must continue studying, doing homework, "attending" class, and figuring out when to eat and sleep while maintaining a regularity that is simply impossible with this new system of isolation. Those who already suffer from depression, anxiety, addiction, eating disorders, PTSD, etc. are also more likely to have increased symptoms and/or relapse when they don’t have the structure and stability they’re used to. Additionally, the sudden financial stress of many low-income students falling into temporary unemployment while trying to support both themselves and their families can consequently harm students mentally, physically, and academically. Offering a pass/fail option for classes of a student’s choosing would be a positive first step in alleviating some of these stressors, while simultaneously demonstrating to students that UofL truly cares for their academics and well-being.

UofL students are driven and passionate, but under these circumstances, the amount of work and engagement can be exhausting and potentially detrimental to the success of our student body. Giving students the option to make their classes pass/fail wouldn't discourage students from doing well academically, but rather, would allow some cushion for those in tough situations. There isa plethora of challenges our student body is currently facing. Unfortunately, simply switching to all online classes does not accommodate those who do not have the privilege of a home environment that’s conducive to learning. UofL has done well in allowing an open campus for those who may have issues at home, food insecurity, financial instability, etc. This is recognized and commended. However, it is a necessary next step for UofL to make the option for classes to be pass/fail in order to truly serve the needs of its students in this ever-changing crisis. We hope you will take this petition into consideration as the University of Louisville continues to assist and protect us students.