Film students at Howard University-- both at the graduate and undergraduate level, are unable to adequately complete their coursework due to the lack of access to necessary equipment and software. Below is a list of grievances that cover the concerns we have with the program in its current state. The faculty of the film program has been diligent in helping students the best they can, but they can only do so much. The power to rectify these issues lies in the hands of the Dean of the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, Dr. Gracie Lawson-Borders. We are organizing as a program to right these wrongs.

To contextualize the issues, it should be understood that we are going into our 7th week of courses and have had absolutely no access to any production equipment. This equipment is necessary for all levels of instruction to complete coursework.

A list of grievances has been provided by various members of our program: 

We have no access to equipment to complete the curriculum. (Cameras, light meters, tripods, etc.) The person employed to run our tech center is not qualified to manage the equipment.

The equipment we are supposed to have is either outdated or not functional.

We have no access to software(s) to complete the curriculum (Final Draft, Avid, Adobe Suite, etc)

There is an unaccounted for, but collected, “technology fee” (in addition to tuition)

We do not have classrooms to complete instruction. Our classes have been interrupted due to these conditions, students have been removed from in-person training and forced to hold classes online.

We are paying out of pocket for resources that the university should be providing and we continue to do so, regardless of its status of delivery.

This is absolutely unacceptable and change must occur immediately. Sign this petition to support us as we move forward to reclaim the educational experience that we were promised and have paid for.