The Class of 2022 would like to share our collective concerns on the current plan for the 2020-2021 academic year with the University administration and fellow Laurentians. This letter is written by the Class of 2022 Council and reflects feedback from members of our class.

Transparency:

When students were sent the preference form for the upcoming year, limited information was included. We are aware state laws and guidelines are constantly changing and will likely be different by August. However, before releasing the preference survey, we would have appreciated the University detailing, as of the date sent, what campus and academic life would include for each semester of the 2020-2021 academic year. These details are necessary for student’s deciding their preferences. We are unaware of what buildings will be open on campus, what classes will be offered when, and how majors and minors will be completed in time if classes in a particular area of study have limited options. Before making a preference on what semesters they would like to attend or if they should just stay home online, students should know what restrictions would be on campus life according to the guidelines at the time. Will students be able to go to the Pub or Dana at any time they wish? Will the student center and library have walk in hours? If we are confined to our dorms only to go to a limited amount of in-person classes and the dining hall three times a day, is that worth paying for full room and board? Is that safe for our mental health? Housing is another major uncertainty for students right now. We are aware more specific housing answers will be given at the town hall meeting, and that housing is subject to change in order to comply with guidelines, but this information should have been available prior to the preference survey. Our housing is our safe space. Where we live and who we live with affect our semester preference, and if we even feel comfortable being on campus in general. There are students with health concerns, some because of the pandemic, and will need to know how dorms and houses will follow social distancing procedures. Residence Life should be accessible throughout this process, especially for at-risk students to guarantee their safety while living on campus. These factors, among many others, affect how we can best answer the preference survey, so this information should have been included immediately in order to make informed decisions. 

Again, we realize things will change and that is out of SLU’s hands. However, they should send up-to-date specific guidelines to campus with every major email containing plans for next year. The town hall should have been before the survey was released instead of two days before it is due. We also want this town hall to include answers that are as clear as possible. Again, we know things will change and that the University will have to constantly make adjustments throughout the summer, but we ask that all details known as of the date of the town hall are made clear to students, and that questions are not sidestepped or avoided all together. The overwhelming response from the Class of 2022 was disappointment with the lack of transparency, communication, and information given to students. We ask that the University release plans as they form and information as they get it. Students have felt ignored and left in the dark about critical decisions that deeply affect their lives. Going forward, minutes for planning meetings regarding the 2020-2021 academic year should be made available to all students so we can see reasoning behind decisions, and again, the most up-to-date information the University has. We understand this process is difficult and are extremely grateful for the members of the SLU community who are working hard to organize the upcoming year.

Our Standing as Juniors:

As we go into our junior year, we have many concerns about the proposed plan. With first year students and seniors getting priority, sophomores and juniors preferences have less weight. Many of us have multiple majors and/or minors and are worried about not having enough time to complete everything. For instance, it is likely that the summer semester will have limited course offerings, and based on the recent email’s wording, it appears the summer semester has been designed for a mix of sophomores and juniors. The Class of 2022 has many questions about specific majors and plans for on-time graduation, therefore we would like to see responses from each department explaining the changes to academic plans and course offerings. We know much is still unknown, but we would like as much information as possible concerning our academic lives. 

Obviously, every class year should have as much time on campus as possible. However, we as juniors have limited time to complete our education and should have priority for semesters with a wide variety of courses. Sophomores right now have more time to complete majors, so this year won’t set them back as much as it could with us. Also, in regard to the summer semester, this upcoming summer is a prime time for internships. It is our last summer before graduating and beginning our careers. While we know internships may be incorporated into a summer semester, there is no guarantee any internships will be available due to the pandemic, which we understand is not the University’s fault. Earning academic credit for an internship could take away the opportunity for compensation, which many students rely on, and it is a privilege to have the resources to conduct an unpaid internship. Additionally, it is important to note that at this point in time we have invested more money and time into our education at St. Lawrence than sophomores and incoming first year students. 

Cost:

We understand during this time both students and the University are struggling financially. We are worried about paying for school on top of other financial burdens, as many of us are unemployed due to the current economic situation. While, again, we understand the University is in financial need as well, it seems unfair that we are paying full tuition for online classes, and if we are on campus, full room and board for what may possibly be an incomplete experience depending on state and University guidelines. Tuition has already been increased by the annual comprehensive fee of three and a half percent. Not only will we potentially be paying full tuition for an education that is online (which most of us find harder and less engaging than in-person classes) but, to our knowledge, tuition will still be increasing from last year. We pay for our education at SLU based on the quality of in-person education. This means the physical experience of learning through labs, studio art, field work, community based learning, and research. Why are we paying full tuition when we are not receiving a full education? If online, or if resources on campus go virtual, we will inevitably be losing some of the academic support which we pay for. We understand there are resources for students financially in need during this time, yet not all students qualify for these resources and economic situations can change extremely fast. Students may also lose work study opportunities if they have to stay online, or their jobs on campus may be unavailable or have limited hours this year. These jobs are necessary for many students to pay for their education and the University should guarantee students work study opportunities. The University again needs to be transparent, this time on where funds are going to make our online education stronger and worth $58,330 (as taken from the University website). The same goes for the cost of room and board— if spaces on campus are closed and unavailable to us, why should we be paying as if we can access them? 

To the University Going Forward: 

The Class of 2022 understands that a lot is out of the University’s control. We would like to thank those who are working extremely hard to figure out a plan for us students and the professors who are adapting to new teaching plans and advocating for the best educational experience possible. We are also grateful there is the opportunity for two semesters on campus this year. We also would like to thank administrators for meeting with the Class Council and giving us a platform to share these concerns. We know there is no solution that will make everyone happy, however it is still important for our student body to be upfront about our feelings and concerns. We hope you listen and understand the passion of the Class of 2022 on this matter, and that we can and will hold our school accountable for our one college experience that we pay tens of thousands of dollars for. We continue to ask the University to provide as much up-to-date information as they are aware of in each email detailing 2020-2021 plans. Specifically, we are asking to see: 

• Increased transparency from the University, including sharing the meeting minutes from any meetings regarding plans for the 2020-2021 academic year, and providing students with updated information as soon as it becomes available to the University.
• An explanation as to why juniors were not given more priority given the limited time left to complete majors and minors, as well as understanding the summer after junior year is extremely important to make money and pursue internships, and reevaluate this decision.
• Clear information on where our full tuition, and room and board, are going, as classes may continue to be fully online and campus resources may be unavailable, and resources from the University for students concerned about their financial situations related to tuition during this time. 
• An explanation of the leave of absence process relating to reapplication and financial aid. 
• A specific plan for international students that addresses concerns specific to their needs including but not limited to Visas, as well as online learning and instruction.
• A specific plan for students who, as of now, are enrolled in an off-campus semester in the spring if programs are cancelled, as well as what the application for summer abroad will entail.
• Keeping a direct line of communication with the Class of 2022 open, after the town hall, and as summer and the 2020-2021 academic year progress

Our Promise To the Class of 2022: 

As the summer continues, the 2022 Class Council will continue to work to connect students and administration, allowing our class’ opinions to be brought forward. We are committed to full transparency and open communication to make sure we are fully representing you, the Class of 2022. We would also like to take this moment to affirm our support for each and every single member of our class. Whatever this school year looks like, we are united. Whether you’re on campus or choose to attend online, we are together in spirit. If there is anything you feel Class Council may be able to help you with, any action you would like to see us take during this time, or any feedback you would like to give to us, please contact us on Instagram at @StLawU2022.

We are so upset and so quick to share our anger, sadness, frustration and hundreds of other feelings at this plan because we love St. Lawrence. It’s where we met some of our best friends, found a place we completely belong and discovered so many new things. It has been our home the past two years and we want the next two years to hold the same joy and excitement as before. We’ll never forget the Scarlet and the Brown.

From,

The Class of 2022 Council