Firstly: thank you all so much for getting the petition to 1,000 signatures in under two weeks! Professor Wright is very touched by the support for both him and the department. Even as a student-run petition and testimonial gathering campaign, the outpouring of support has been amazing.

Some updates: Faculty and student governance groups have been contacted, and are aware of the issue. They are currently communicating with Barnard College's provost about keeping Professor Wright and the Slavic department, along with broader issues regarding faculty.

One thing that would be really helpful to demonstrate support would be people emailing the provost's office. For everyone that's signed the petition (particularly Barnard alumni who may want to add a sentence saying they would suspend donations until John Wright and the department were restored) if you are able to send the email template below, it would be a huge help.

Email Template for the Provost's Office

To: provost@barnard.edu and ebarnaby@barnard.edu (Provost and Vice Provost)

Subject: URGENT: Keep Professor John Wright and Barnard's Slavic Department

Hello Provost and Vice Provost,

I am reaching out as a concerned ______ about Barnard's decision not to renew Professor John Wright's contract, which effectively shutters the Slavic department. This decision is wildly unpopular among current students at Barnard College and Columbia University, along with many alumni. Faculty from schools like Duke University, Georgetown University, Swarthmore College, and others have said that losing John Wright would be a huge blow to both Barnard and the Slavic studies field at large. It would be an intellectual loss for the college, and damages its reputation as a leading liberal arts institution.

This is an opportunity for Barnard to show students that their concerns are being heard and that the college is investing in its faculty and departments. I am writing to ask the Provost's Office to either renew John Wright's contract for 2-3 years, or hire him on the 6 year "renew and review" contract. Retaining him is not a financial burden to the college, and would both keep the department open (as he is the only faculty member) and keep a wonderful Barnard professor at Barnard College.

Signed,