Arizona State University has very few faculty members that can teach plant classes and mentor students. There are currently only 4 faculty members that are qualified to mentor students in the plant sciences, and only 2 of them have more than one student in their lab. Additionally, several of the remaining plant science faculty members are close to retiring and many have already been lost without replacement. As recently as the last semester (Fall 2023), two plant science faculty members retired and were not replaced. Though ASU has a partnership with the Desert Botanical Garden, staff of the garden cannot currently be the primary chair for graduate student committees. Additionally, most of the garden staff do not teach plant classes. 

This issue impacts both undergraduate and graduate students. Knowledge of plants is necessary for research in the life sciences, environmental sciences, and beyond. Plants are pivotal to human existence as they serve as food, medicine, shelter, and more. Even the study of animals requires an understanding of what plants are being eaten and how habitat functions. Without an available understanding of plants, all other natural sciences at Arizona State University will be lacking. 

To continue to be innovative and competitive with other universities, Arizona State University needs to hire more faculty members that specialize in the plant sciences. For comparison with other universities in the state, the University of Arizona in Tucson has over 20 faculty members that can teach plant classes and mentor students. In Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University has at least 6 plant science labs that can take students. 

This petition will serve as a starting point to show Arizona State University that students are interested in taking plant classes and that additional faculty who specialize in the plant sciences are desired.