Before beginning it's 7th year of activity, the students of the Towson University Winter Guard were told that our program was being cut from the budget and would no longer be able to exist. This program creates a place for many students from different universities to continue doing the activity they enjoy, even if their own school does not have a program. During the winter season, the color guard members are able to focus on their technique, which is more difficult to do when rehearsing during the outdoor season with the entire band. Some students have even expressed that they have attended Towson University solely because of it's indoor program. Looking beyond its meaning in the marching activity, winter guard builds important life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, quick thinking, flexibility, and professionalism.

In it's most recent season the indoor guard made headway in terms of placement on an international scale, and since it's inception, the program has continued to grow and thrive, generating interest and creating an environment where even those with little to no past color guard experience feel welcome. The students were not aware that the program was going to be disbanded until most other indoor guard programs had concluded their auditions, so while we wouldn't want to march anywhere else, we no longer even had the option. This program means so much to so many students, educators, alumni, and families. Please help us save the program.

We plan to use this petition to demonstrate that this program has the support to continue to run. We will bring the signatures on this petition to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts and our band director John Miliauskas when we go to defend our program. Please know that we are not at this time looking for donations.