Hey, my name is Andrew Nelson Van Saders and I'm an incoming senior majoring in acting at Marymount Manhattan College (MMC). Recently, MMC has informed its performance majors that we will be returning to remote learning for the fall semester. I would like to strongly implore Marymount Manhattan College, President Kerry Walk, and the school's Board of Trustee's to reconsider the decision to keep tuition the same for next semester. 

This is not simply about remote learning vs in person learning. Not only are students being asked to pay the same amount for an education that does not translate entirely to online, but we won't be allowed to use the school's facilities such as the rehearsal/dance studios, library, and the city of New York. At mmm.edu, MMC prides itself with the slogan "the city is your campus." However, in this newly virtual world, many performance majors will likely stay in their hometowns, away from "our campus:" New York City. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has done more than damage the school's enrollment. It has directly caused financial hardship for students and their families. I understand the instinct to stick to your guns and keep the tuition the same. Personally, I would prefer to stay at Marymount and finish my senior year strong. However, without a price reduction, I find myself asking if it would be better to see my final collegiate year at a cheaper, state school. 

At risk of repeating myself, I beg fellow students and MMC alumni to sign and share this petition. No school should be allowed to charge students full price for remote learning. If students aren't allowed to use the facilities and the campus, the school should not place the same financial burden on its students that it has for years. 

Marymount Manhattan College is struggling financially; so are it's students. Scratch our back with cheaper tuition. We just might scratch yours and stay enrolled for the fall.