We are writing this letter to petition the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Houston to address the current circumstances regarding suspended graduate student research. Many NSM graduate students need laboratory access to continue research vital to their theses, dissertations, and publications. With the current COVID-19 shutdown, access to laboratories is understandably restricted. With these significant delays, many graduate students are now concerned about finishing their research within their funding time-limits. 

            We are calling on NSM to extend the limit of Teaching Assistantship funding and the granting of Graduate Assistant Tuition Fellowships an additional two semesters for graduate students whose research has been significantly impacted. UH is already giving this consideration to assistant professors who are working towards tenure.

NSM and its departments have already invested in their current graduate students. Taking on additional TA-funded students in the fall while leaving current students without the opportunity to complete their research would be a disservice to both the university and the students themselves. An extension of funding would allow the currently affected graduate students to finish their research in the best way possible and present this work at conferences that have been cancelled this year. These research projects are vital to each graduate student's future career, but also to publications that contribute to the overall success of the departments, college, and university as a whole. Almost all major conferences occurring in the spring and summer have been cancelled. For many graduate students, this is not only an opportunity to present their research, but to meet with potential post-doc advisors or employers. Not having the opportunity to attend these events could be career altering for many students, and it is in the best interest of the college for its students to remain competitive potential employers and researcher institutions.

We understand that formulating a plan takes time, and that this is a difficult time for everyone, navigating the unprecedented circumstances we currently face. During a time of great stress for many, this would alleviate some of the fears and stress that we, the graduate students, currently face.