The Persian Language Program at Ivan Allen School of Modern Languages has been quite successful over the past ten years and has taught many first-generation Iranian-American students, as well as students from many other nationalities, the basics of the Persian language and culture.  The Modern Language Department is seeking to remove Persian Language courses from the curriculum, despite the high demand in registration each semester. On behalf of the Iranian Student Association (ISA) and Persian-American Resource Society (PARS) at Georgia Tech, we ask you to sign this petition to request Ivan Allen School of Modern Languages to continue offering at least two Persian language courses each term to satisfy the undeniable needs of Iranian-American students, as well as many other students, who have consistently shown strong interest in Persian language and culture.

Overall, in the past three years, at least 250 students took one or more Persian language classes at Georgia Tech.  Given the important geopolitical situation of Persian speaking countries in Asia (Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kurdish Territories, . . .), we feel that Georgia Tech has provided a unique service to our community, and we wish to see this continue.  It is additionally significant as 50,000 Persian-speaking people reside in metro Atlanta, and the Persian language has been designated as a critical language by the State Department.

ISA & PARS

April 19, 2022