We, the undersigned students of the KSU Digital Animation program, formally request that students under catalog years 2024 and prior be allowed to continue their originally planned curriculum, rather than being forced into the newly implemented 2D concentration. Although 3D courses are not being eliminated entirely, they are now being moved exclusively to a 3D concentration, which forces current students to choose between a limited 2D track or extending their studies by 2-3 years by switching to the new 3D track. The removal of 3D courses for current students is unfair, disrupts our education, and negatively impacts our future careers. We urge the department to grandfather in current students, ensuring that these changes only apply to incoming students in 2025 and beyond.

Furthermore, the decision to remove 3D courses from the curriculum for current students is a significant shift. Many of us chose this program based on the original promise of a well-rounded education in both 2D and 3D animation. While it's true that 3D courses were technically offered as electives, the program was originally structured to provide a balanced and consistent mix of both 2D and 3D coursework. This shift to sporadic special topics does not align with the educational expectations many of us enrolled in, which is why this change feels like a significant step back for our curriculum. The sudden change has created confusion, frustration, and concern about the future of our education and careers. For many of us, 3D animation is not just an elective, but a core component of the skills we need to pursue our chosen careers in animation, VFX, game design, and more.

In addition, the current path reclassifies students into the 2D concentration, effectively eliminating the consistent availability of 3D animation coursework that was a cornerstone of the original curriculum. This reclassification forces us into a binary choice that was not originally presented: either accept a curriculum lacking in dedicated 3D education or incur a significant delay in graduation by switching to the 2025 catalog’s 3D track. While special topics electives may offer some 3D content, this is not an adequate substitute for the comprehensive 3D education we were promised. With 3D animation being an integral part of many animation careers, current students are now being placed at a disadvantage compared to their peers at other universities or institutions offering a more balanced approach.

Moreover, the option to update to the 2025 catalog would extend many students' graduation timelines by 2-3 years, creating financial, personal, and academic hardships. This is not a mere administrative adjustment—it directly affects our lives by delaying graduation and increasing our educational costs. This further complicates an already difficult situation and forces students to make choices that may not be feasible. The requirement for override and substitution forms only adds to the confusion and burden.

In summary, this petition is an urgent request for a fair solution. We ask that the department respect the academic path we began with and allow current students to continue their studies with the same access to 3D courses that were originally offered, without interruption or delay. The issue here is that the original, balanced curriculum has been fundamentally altered in a way that disadvantages current students. We strongly urge the department to implement the new changes only for incoming students in 2025 and beyond—or for those who opt to update to the 2025 catalog. We believe this solution will ensure that current students can graduate on time, with the education and skills they were promised when they enrolled in the Digital Animation program.

Finally, we ask for your support in ensuring that the KSU Digital Animation program remains a fair and transparent academic experience for all students. We urge the department to uphold the promise made to current students and ensure that any curriculum changes do not unfairly penalize those who enrolled based on the original program structure. The changes should not disadvantage the current students who trusted in that structure, and we need immediate action to address this issue.