On May 14th, 2020, students in the OASIS (Opportunities for Advancements for Students with Intellectual Disabilities for Self Determination) program received an email from the provost's office of Mercyhurst University. In less than 200 words, the students in Oasis were informed  their program would be suspended indefinitely. They learned, an hour later, that the professors running the program had been fired by the university, casting real doubt on any plans to reinstate this vital program in any form. 

OASIS is, as the students will tell you, a truly amazing opportunity and experience. It is a college program for those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who have extremely limited options for tertiary education. There are both one and two year programs focusing on real-world applicable skills, such as culinary arts, hospitality management, early childhood education, and business. OASIS sets its students up for success, requiring internships and giving extra guidance and help to those who chose to further their education within this program. The certificate the students receive on completion of OASIS is a symbol of their desire to learn, grow as individuals, and enter the working world with a set of developed skills.

The Provost has taken OASIS and everything it means away from its students with barely a paragraph as an explanation. There was no prior warning, no time to get plans in order. Many students are left in the middle of a two year program with absolutely no explanation as to what the year of their lives they invested will mean. They have no credits to transfer to another institution, nothing to show for their hard work. Mercyhurst University has mentioned no plans about any sort of reimbursement or continuation of the program. These are uncertain times for everyone, but Mercyhurst University is unfairly punishing its most vulnerable students without the decency to give them a reasonable explanation of what the future holds.

This petition seeks two things:

1.      The reinstatement of the OASIS program at Mercyhurst, allowing more students with disabilities to achieve their goals

2.      Rehiring of the staff that has worked so long and tirelessly to make this program the success it has been

Mercyhurst University has the opportunity to make this right and to put their students first in these trying times. Please help us show them this fact and share our message.