We, the students enrolled in the forestry program, believe Forestry is inherently a hands-on program and knowledge of industry as well as hands-on industry experience should be required for faculty teaching industry-related classes. 

Jim Schmierer, a long time employee and lecturer at the college, is one of the last bridges in the forestry program between students and industry.  As such, we who sign this petition believe that Jim Schmierer should be rehired and retained on the faculty in the “Lecturer in Applied Forestry” position.  Many of us and our peers found Jim’s teaching to be effective and informative relating to boots-on-the-ground forestry, and believe losing Jim could cause a significant decline in the quality of the forestry program.