Today, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that all SUNY and CUNY universities "will move to a distance-learning model until the end of the spring semester, as a precautionary measure, starting on March 19." Us students are going to be taking online classes as a precautionary measure.

From a safety and health standpoint, I respect this decision in order to protect the well-being of students, staff, and the general public. However, this is not the education that we paid for.

(It has also been said that Cuomo made this decision without directly consulting the schools themselves, but I cannot prove this statement as fact, so take that as you wish.)

My name is Chloe. I am currently a freshman Film BFA student in the conservatory at SUNY Purchase. Many majors and stand alone classes require hands on learning, equipment, rehearsals, and other aspects. There are so many situations like this, including but not limited to: Film, Dance, Acting, Music, Science Lab classes, Visual Arts, and many more. There are also people with learning difficulties such as ADHD, Autism, ADD, and others, that might find it more difficult to learn in an online setting. Also, commuters have paid for parking, but now have no reason to come on campus. What about their meal plan and parking passes? Refunds for those?

I propose this petition for a discount, refund, or any type of reimbursements for this issue. Not a complete refund, but something impactful. A lot of students had trouble paying to be enrolled in the first place. We love what we do and what the schools do for us, but this is not the education that we paid for.

Please, I ask you to share this around to anyone you know however you can. I will try my best to post some links and sources of information to better prove the statements made here, and to help your understanding.