Students of Spring 2020 wish for the tentative date of final exams to be postponed by one week to April 27th to provide ample time to recover from the unforeseen circumstances and review the necessary material. More urgently, some Semester 4X/5C students who have their exams on April 10th would like their exam moved one week in advance to April 17th. We understand this pandemic is affecting everyone, not only the students but also the administration and faculty, and we thank you for doing your very best given the circumstances. To better help you understand the perspectives from students, we’ve outlined a few compelling reasons to support our cause.

Many of us did not want to take the risk of being quarantined in Barbados as national policies around the world were changing by the hour. Though originally finals were scheduled for the week of April 20th, the disruption of study time, immediate need for travel, and uncertainty surrounding the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have consequently limited the time needed to review various concepts from modules across all the semesters, which will essentially impact the performance and planning that those of us studying for these exams originally intended.

Additionally, there was a disruption in studying and lifestyle for students who chose to stay on the island as they wanted to finish off the semester on the island. When the first case of CoVID-19 was reported in Barbados, the government made changes that those students staying behind did not anticipate. These changes included curfews and mandatory lock downs. There are some students who do not have the resources needed to survive back in the states because they already paid rent at Coverley. There is a lingering fear about what is to come, as most cities in the United States have not yet reached peak rates of CoVID-19 infection.

Although we have a couple of weeks before finals, these exams comprise a significant percentage of our final grades. The distractions and stress from the pandemic have cost us a lot of time between preparing our belongings, traveling, and adjusting to our new study environments at home. Many public libraries and universities have closed, and some of us do not have a reliable place to study.

It is very real that some students’ families and some students themselves have been exposed to the virus and they are dealing with its detriments on top of trying to keep up with their schoolwork. By extending the semester, not only will it allow a large number of students to successfully overcome this hurdle, but it will also give them time to better understand the material, show that Ross understands our plights, and in the end be the best course of action for the student body as well as Ross as a whole. Ultimately, studying for within the allotted time is not a realistic way to retain material. This will negatively affect the grades of many students on the final. Students will also have to then relearn material to properly prepare for Step 1.

We are asking you to consider the response that many other Caribbean medical schools have taken to ensure that their students have enough time to study because ultimately the goal of any university is for its students to thrive. Your response is anticipated and will be shared with those students who have signed this petition as we continue our studies. Thank you so much for your time, and please stay safe during these trying times.