The current pandemic is a threat to the health and safety of faculty, students, and visitors of all college campuses. At this time many universities have not announced concrete plans for the fall, Eastern Michigan included, with less than two months left until the beginning of the semester. It is now the time to demand that we as students are able to be supported in our choice to pursue our education online, without additional costs, because we deserve the protection of our health and safety. 

Currently, the fee for online and hybrid classes sits at $80 per credit hour -- a full time schedule of 12 credit hours will cost an additional $960, the average is 15 credit hours which will cost an additional $1200. 

Students should not have to pay additional fees for options that will limit their exposure to other people and decrease their risk of contracting COVID-19. 

Lab/studio fees range from $0-$132

In the event that labs or studios are not able to meet in person, additional fees for these courses should not be charged, as those fees generally cover supplies, facility maintenance, etc. -- all things that students will not have access to in an online setup. 

The REC/IM fee is $50 

Students should not be charged for a facility that they will not be able to access and actively use. 

Student teaching has an additional fee of $200

If the K-12 school system goes online then students who are student teaching for the semester should not be charged, as in person instruction is essential to preparing future educators.

Demands:

• Waive the fees for ALL online and hybrid courses, including courses that move from face to face to online
• Waive lab/studio fees for courses that can not meet face to face
• Waive the REC/IM fee for every student, without the completion of a form
• Waive the student teaching fee if schools move online 

Please consider signing today and support health and safety in education at Eastern Michigan University!

If you want to take additional action, you can contact the following people directly to make these same demands:

EMU Board of Regents - Phone: 734-487-2410 Email: emu.regents@emich.edu

EMU President, Dr. James Smith - Phone: 734-487-2211 Email: president@emich.edu

A protest is planned for Sunday, July 19th at 4 PM, starting at the Pease Auditorium Lot and ending at Welch Hall. Masks and social distancing are required, signs and bringing along a friend is encouraged!