An important item has emerged as Neuroscience plans its exit from the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN) and entry into the new science building.

Since the 1970s, one of the gems of undergraduate education at Lethbridge has been our emphasis on independent study teaching, as opposed to normally scheduled lab times. The emphasis has led to a lot of praise from our graduates and external reviews. At the heart of most successful independent studies (applied studies & honours theses) is each faculty member’s dry lab - a focus of meetings, training, data analysis, experiment design, and general research training, 

We have learned that in the new building, Neuroscience will lose all of its dry labs - all of them will be turned into graduate student office space.

When our administrators were asked where the undergrad researchers will go, we were told that there is no plan to accommodate space for undergraduates working on projects.

The efficacy of the undergraduate Neuroscience Program is at great risk with these sudden changes. We, the undergraduate students currently enrolled in the neuroscience program, feel neglected and detached by these sudden changes. Though we can appreciate the need for graduate study space, all studies will be greatly affected if undergraduate researchers do not have space to work in. 

The "Destination Project" is said to shape the future of research in Lethbridge, but by eliminating the much-needed space for undergraduate students, we are effectively going backwards. 

We hope that by signing this petition and showing your support for undergraduate research, the drastic and hazardous removal of dry laboratory space can be amended. 

Sincerely, 

Jakica Cavar, Neuroscience Club President