This petition is being created as a response to the "In-Person" format chosen for the J-Term semester class NURS 6004. Those who have signed electronically are requesting to change this format to "Online".

1. Recent reports state Minnesota has one of the worst Covid-19 rates in the nation. For the protection of the students, we believe it is wise to change the format of NURS 6004. We understand that this format was not intended to be online, however, let us not forget that although time has passed, we are still in a pandemic and we are still in unprecedented times. We have lived in this pandemic since 2019 and many of us are experiencing "pandemic fatigue" but we must not waver in being leaders and examples to others. Let us follow the science and evidence and prioritize the safety of our students.

2. This term specifically falls after a holiday break where students will be seeing family that may or may not be vaccinated. Exposure will spike after the holidays.

3. Boosters have not been required for our cohort.

4. Omicron variant has been reported to be more virulent than the Delta variant with breakthrough infections for those vaccinated significantly higher.

We ask that you give serious consideration in changing the format for this class.

Respectfully,

The 2023 St. Catherine University MSNEL Cohort