On March 13th, 2024, Purdue University Fort Wayne announced the suspension of the French minor. At first, the university neglected current French minors telling a substantial number of them they must "select a different minor" and choose another path of study. After the PFW French Club's tireless advocacy for their program, we gained major victory when Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Carl Drummond announced all current French minors would be guaranteed their programs of study. 

But, the French Minor is still suspended for all future students who wish to continue studying French. As of Fall 2024, there is a growing demand for this program. More students than ever before want to study French. In October of this semester, faculty senate passed Senate Document 24-2 which calls upon VCAA Carl Drummond to reinstate the minor. There is also the principle of shared governance, which means faculty have control the curriculum. Negligently, the decision to suspend the minor was never made with regards to faculty; only administration. To further stress, We are the only university in Fort Wayne which currently offers French. Many students do not have the financial means to enroll in other universities. French is an important language which is spoken in several nations across the globe. International education is important for the progression of our society, as it amplifies a culturally aware mindset and prepares students for our globalized world. 

Our organization calls upon Purdue University Fort Wayne to reinstate the French minor. We call upon PFW to: (1) Protect French (2) Maintain French by hiring at least one full-time French faculty member, and (3) Encourage students to take French language courses. In 2016, the French major was suspended and never reinstated. By signing this petition, you are showing support for multiculturalism, student rights, shared governance over the curriculum, and the future of languages at PFW.

We urge you to add your voice to this petition, to tell us why you are doing so, and to stand with us. Please sign below and stand with the future of French at PFW.