Students at Texas A&M pay enough in tuition and fees already. Requiring them to study abroad for a semester creates an additional financial burden that is not necessary. The Bachelor of Science in University Studies - Global Arts, Planning, Design, and Construction, also known as USAR, is the only undergraduate degree in the College of Architecture that does not have the option of an internship in-lieu of studying abroad. This is an unfair requirement that harms many students financially, as well as depriving them of valuable work experience that they could receive if they would rather complete an internship. Since there is a precedent in all of the other undergraduate degrees for the College of Architecture this should be an easy change to make for the University Studies - College of Architecture degree program.

With the onset of COVID-19 many study abroad trips have already been canceled. Requiring students to pay fees for a trip that might get canceled, and saying that they might not get that money back, is unfair. Even if a student is not paying out of pocket, incurring an additional $10,000 plus dollars of debt should not be a requirement for the student or their parents. With the uncertainty that COVID-19 is creating in the economy and job market, having other, less financially risky options for studying away from campus for a semester would be of great benefit to the welfare of our students and their families.

We are asking for the immediate removal of this program requirement, and ask for the opportunity to choose for ourselves if we would rather study abroad, or gain necessary work experience through an internship in an industry that we are interested in,

If you are a student in the University Studies - Global Arts, Planning, Design, and Construction (USAR) program, or a parent of a student in this program, or just a student at Texas A&M that thinks this is an unfair requirement, we ask that you please consider signing this petition.

Thank you