This petition requests that the Neuro and Psychiatric 2 test scheduled for Friday, April 3, 2020, for RUSM (Ross University School of Medicine) semester 5C and the mini 3 test for semester 4X students be postponed to Friday, April 10, 2020. 

In light of the challenges that the COVID-19 has posed to everyone of all walks of life, including everyday working people, students, and medical personnel, our world leaders have urged institutions small and large to work and accommodate in order to ease the challenges faced by millions.

Industry leaders in all sorts of institutions small and large have forged ahead alongside political leaders in the local, state, federal, and international levels to come up with innovative solutions to ease the stress and disruption that this pandemic has caused.  Ross is among those that had to revamp their entire curriculum to accommodate distance learning and we applaud them for that.  But, we now ask them to continue to help in any small way they can with the fight for our lives, literally.

Banks have taken the unprecedented step of allowing many to forgo and postpone payments on mortgages, rents, and loan payments.  Many state governments have put a moratorium on evictions due to the loss of 3.5 million jobs in America alone.  Medical schools and licensing boards have allowed medical students, nursing students, retired medical personnel to join the corps of healthcare workers in the fight against this epidemic by easing licensing requirements.   

In order to be a successful student, especially for those that will be in the front lines in the next pandemic, there must be an environment conducive to the study free from distractions.  For many who are sick, have family members that are sick, are quarantined, or face family stressors such as having family members unemployed, the environment is far from conducive to successful study.  The mere stress of trying to line up for hours to get basic necessities such as toilet paper can only add to the distraction faced by all.  Many students are also parents themselves, and now they are not only caregivers but must also play the part of teachers because their children's schools have also closed.  Not to mention many students also have elderly family members, which they now have to shop for and sustain because the elderly have been ordered to stay at home.

In a time where successful medical personnel such as doctors are needed desperately, Ross should do everything in their power to help make the next crop of medical warriors.

Since RUSM was closed for four days so that students could get home to their families, those four days were lost and there was definitely no studying done by any student traveling during that time.  Therefore, the test should be postponed at least for four days.  Also in light of the fact that there is uncertainty in the STEP test availability, there is no need for extra time from the end of the semester for the STEP test studying, therefore, postponing this test will not negatively affect the timeline for this.

Another reason for the postponement is the changing situation with the airlines.  The airlines, which had previously promised there would be weekly flights throughout the end of the semester so students can leave after the exams, are now saying that the last flight out is this Saturday.  Students are now stuck in the predicament of scrambling to pack and get ready to evacuate while trying to also study for this exam and final.

Please as students of Semester 5C and Semester 4X sign this petition using your Ross email to show that you support what I say in urging our great leaders of RUSM in postponing the Neuro and Psychiatric 2 test and Semester 4X mini 3 test scheduled for Friday, April 3, 2020, to April 10, 2020.