This email I sent to President Barron outlines my reason for starting this petition: 
     
     Hello, my name is Cameron Pettinato, and I am a first year student at Penn State University Park, majoring in nutritional sciences with a concentration in premedical studies. I am sure you are getting a tremendous amount of emails concerning the state of the rapidly developing COVID-19 outbreak and its detrimental implications on students’ education; however, I hope that you take the time to read my email as I believe that the opinions that I hold are shared among the majority of the student body. I believe that education is an immensely important aspect of life and that knowledge truly enriches our experiences in day to day life. Unfortunately, in today’s competitive job climate, grades largely become the focus of our education, often due to the requirements of graduate schools. As a prospective medical school applicant, my grade point average is always at the top of my priorities. With the current, unfortunate state of this semester, every student in the country faces a threat to their grade point average. As you already know, online learning is the least ideal learning environment for most students. Not only does this transformation cause great distraction due to stress and confusion, but online learning also hinders the learning process by eliminating a lack of connection that is essential to said learning process. Additionally, not every student has access to stable internet connection, nor do they have consistent access to a computer source. I am well aware that you, along with other Penn State administrators have made accommodations for this problem; however, it is still a substantial source of stress, anxiety, and distraction. Likewise, many students, including myself, are experiencing a similar stress, anxiety, and other negative psychological and emotional effects simply due to the general state of the world at this moment in time. I am not ignorant to the fact that you have already considered all of these effects of the pandemic, but I do think that continuing to grade students as if there hasn’t been a vast shift in our focus and drive due to the changes in our environment and education is not equitable in any way, shape, or form. Many students cannot afford even one semester with an inadequate grade point average. Professors are simply asking way too much at this turbulent time, some outlining their expectations last night, the day before online classes started. I can go on and on about how poorly this situation effects each and every student at Penn State, and in the country, but I know you are already aware of that. I am asking that you please consider reworking the grading system for this semester, taking into consideration the considerable roadblock that this pandemic poses to our futures. I hope you stay healthy and safe, and please reflect on what I said knowing that the majority of students feel the same way.