DUE TO BUDGETARY REDUCTIONS, UM'S RICHTER LIBRARY IS REDUCING THEIR FINALS WEEK SCHEDULE FROM 24/7 TO 6AM-2AM. SIGN THIS PETITION TO SHOW THE ADMINISTRATION HOW THESE BUDGET CUTS ARE DIRECTLY HARMING THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF THE UM STUDENT BODY. 

   Beginning this past summer, in June 2023, the University of Miami announced an extreme cut to the University of Miami Libraries budget. In their own words they write, "The core mission of the University Libraries is to provide the information resources needed for teaching, learning, and research. Overall, our collections funding to meet that mission remains strong. However, a reduction to the Libraries’ operating budget requires us to strategically reduce and realign collections spending on the Coral Gables campus for the coming year. Given the specific focus of the budget reduction, database subscriptions supporting faculty in schools and colleges on this campus will be most directly affected. The changes required to meet budget reductions are being carefully reviewed and implemented to minimize the impact on teaching, learning, and research. Reductions are being guided by data on information needs in different subject areas, chiefly through analysis of database use history. Unfortunately, the depth of the budget cut requires cancellation of high-impact resources, and we hope to be able to restore those subscriptions when the budget outlook improves." (https://www.library.miami.edu/about/library-collections-budget-reduction.html

     According to Associate Dean of Access and Discovery Services, Glen Wiley, the cuts this year came as a huge surprise. The University cut 10% of the entire library budget, and cut 50% of the student budget. Since Covid-19 in 2020, the University has been increasing budget cuts every year, but this year was the first major hit. Several faculty members and student employees were directly affected through lay offs and shortened scheduling hours. As noted in the quote above, the Library was also forced to cancel high-impact database subscriptions that are vital resources to student success.

    Now, the most recent development due to these budget challenges is the reduction of Finals Week hours. Every finals season, Richter Library remains open 24/7 all of finals week, to allow for all students to have ample access to the library and its resources as they prepare to take on Finals Week. By shortening these hours to 6am-2am, students who rely on library resources are put at a severe educational disadvantage. For a University whose cost of attendance is almost $90,000 a year (https://finaid.miami.edu/cost/index.html), has raised over $1.63 billion dollars for its Ever Brighter Campaign (https://themiamihurricane.com/2021/11/22/ever-brighter-fundraising-campaign-earns-over-1-6-billion-of-2-5-billion-goal/), gave Mario Cristobal a 10 year contract worth $80 million, and is planning on spending $100 million on a football operations center (https://www.local10.com/sports/2023/01/04/university-of-miami-unveils-plan-for-100m-football-operations-center/ ) it is absolutely unacceptable that they "can't afford" to keep the library open 24/7 for one week. 

    As a student who pays tuition to attend this university, I find it completely outrageous that "one of the top research universities in the country" is unable to provide adequate database and technological resources to its student nor operate under its usual 24/7 finals schedule due to budgetary constraints. The library is one of the most fundamental resources a college can offer, and its operations are vital to the success of the student body. We must use our voices and band together to stop the University from limiting our educational opportunities through extreme budgetary constraints. If the library has ever had an impact on you, please sign this petition! Your tuition is funding your education, and you should receive all of the resources possible from it!