We, the students of Ravensbourne University London, demand that the third term be cancelled for all students due to these unprecedented times and to not merely extend our deadlines.

Ravensbourne University's student body is overwhelmingly made up of people of colour, some of the most affected people from the COVID-19 events and current political problems in relations to race. It was very clear to see that with the commencement of lockdown that this would take a toll on our mental health and was acknowledged by the university. However, in order to accommodate this demand, many therapy sessions have had to be shortened and impacting even more high-risk students who were in therapy before this.

Now with the current political climate, black students and allies are overwhelmingly emotionally affected due to the trauma and gaslighting done by the media and racist individuals affecting communities worldwide. Students have experienced hysterical crying, panic attacks, pangs of depressions, and much more due to these events, you will notice a significant drop in student performance since these events have started (especially those of black students creating a further academic discrepancy). Having participated in protests, spreading information, and educating themselves on current matters has taken a toll on our mental health, having to watch extreme abuse and live killings. While we may argue why aren't students focusing on their studies, we feel like part of a being in a digital art school, it is our responsibility to pave the way for change and equality.

Many students are questioning their existence and the worth of their own lives during this time.

Furthermore, we cannot ignore the overwhelming work of our allies from PoC and white students who have worked tirelessly in order to help us in this cause. The black community is used to treating fighting racism as a full-time job linked to our existence however this event is an overwhelming situation that cannot be balanced simply. Currently, my unit title is 'Brave New World' and was designed to purely accommodate for the stress of COVID-19 and did not calculate for this new world climate.

With COVID 19 and the political climate, it is an overwhelming situation to ask us to fairly continue with our studies and perform to a high standard - especially for all black students affected. Extending our deadlines will only extend our stress and not give us permission to rest appropriately. Until this situation calms down or Ravensbourne has enough resources to provide adequate emotional and mental support to those who need it, we asked that this term be cancelled.

Signed,

The Student Body