A petition has been launched calling for the University of Wyoming to abolish the additional fees for online classes and to increase transparency on the use of finances with UW students.
Hunter Bullard, a student at UW studying political science and the executive director of the Wyoming Association of Activists, created the petition on June 17th, and it has received over 1,300 signatures as of June 23rd.
COVID-19 is still a major risk despite many businesses and schools re-opening. Bullard argues that “many students will either not be able to take necessary classes in-person or will prefer to take online classes for their own personal health,” as to why extra online course fees should be waved.
Though some people are able to return to work, the ongoing pandemic has left many people struggling financially. Students may not be able to afford the additional fees associated with online classes, which could lead to students dropping out or transferring. Some may choose to just go with in-person classes, but in cases of high-risk or immunocompromised students, this “could ultimately harm them in the long run,” argues Bullard.
To add further, Bullard notes that the university was capable of turning to fully online courses without any additional fees for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. She argues that online courses also have fewer overhead costs versus in-person classes, as the university has to pay to run cooling, heating, and extensive cleaning costs for traditional courses.
Bullard also calls for the university to increase financial accountability with its students, requesting the university provide “information as to where their money is going and exactly what they are paying for,” and to decrease “student fees based upon the different needs presented by the semester.”
The petition urges acting President Neil Theobald, President Edward Seidel, the UW Board of Trustees, and the Associated Students at the University of Wyoming to act upon the concerns listed and make changes to benefit the student body.
Bullard’s petition can be found here: https://www.change.org/p/president-neil-theobald-university-of-wyoming-abolish-the-additional-fee-for-online-classes-more?original_footer_petition_id=13761659&algorithm=promoted&source_location=petition_footer&grid_position=9&pt=AVBldGl0aW9uAGMrXQEAAAAAXuujW2z2nqMyZTNhYjgwOQ%3D%3D
