I applied to the University of Illinois Springfield, eager to pursue my academic dreams. However, when it came time to identify my ethnicity on the application form, I felt unseen and unrepresented. The current options only recognize Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and Natives, Hispanic or Latinos, Black, Asian, and White. This limited scope overlooks a significant portion of our diverse global community.

We are petitioning for the inclusion of Middle Eastern and Multiracial categories in the ethnicity section of the application forms at our college. Additionally, we propose an open-ended option for those who do not fit neatly into predefined categories.

According to data from the U.S Census Bureau (2019), approximately 2% of Americans identify as multiracial, while 1% identify as Middle Eastern. These figures represent hundreds of thousands of individuals who deserve recognition in all aspects of life - including university applications.

By overlooking these ethnicities on its application forms, the University of Illinois Springfield inadvertently sends a message that these groups are not acknowledged or valued within its student body. Inclusion matters; representation matters.

We urge you to join us in calling upon University administrators to revise their application forms immediately so that every prospective student feels seen and recognized by this institution they hope to call home. Please sign this petition today because no one should feel invisible when pursuing their education.