Hello, we are students at Seattle Pacific University. First of all, we wish everyone a happy and safe Spring Break. Within the past few weeks, we have seen the magnitude of unforeseeable circumstances that have impacted our educational process. We commend the faculty and staff for all of their hard work in their efforts to continue the students’ education in an online format.  While we understand that negative effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on the university and students were unavoidable, it does not stand to reason that the students of the university should bear the financial burden of the same tuition rate. 

A reduction in tuition rate is feasible and necessary for several reasons. One of the most important reasons is the potential mitigation of student loan debt, which increases for many students year after year due to rising tuition and housing costs. Additionally, many students work on campus, and no longer have those jobs as a source of income. Given that SPU would only have to pay faculty salaries and the overhead cost of maintaining the unused buildings, it seems perfectly reasonable that tuition should be lowered to assist all families and students of SPU. 

Not only that, but online learning does not provide the same caliber learning as an in-person format. We must keep in mind that students have different styles of learning, and while some may be successful in an online format, others will struggle to learn in this new environment. This may be due to a number of factors including individual learning styles as well as internet and technological availability. These students have chosen this school over distinguished online colleges that are being offered in this present day. This includes a preference of a centralized classroom that is filled with community, a predetermined availability of professors, and motivation to keep up with the academic rigor that the university presents. The adjustments that have been made to accommodate us, thus far, have been greatly successful. But we must bear in mind the difficulties that this will eventually present during a full quarter of online learning. 

The first step in creating a change is the support system that we hope to build with this petition. Constructing a clear support system starts with your signature under this document. We hope you understand the overall possible financial and educational difficulties that this upcoming Spring Quarter will present for the students of Seattle Pacific University. We urge you to be proactive in your educational community and to sign if you agree.