To Whom it May Concern, It has come to our attention that Professor Daniel James Thornton's instructor/lecturer contract is not being renewed for the next academic year. We, the students of University of Toronto Mississauga, feel this is a terrible mistake. Not only is Professor Thornton an amazing overall professor with knowledge, experience, insights, and connections to share with his students, he is also an amazing lecturer and undoubtedly one of the best teachers we have had the pleasure to study under at UTM. We understand that UTM may be suffering from current economic struggles, and we understand that the university needs to maintain and make certain cuts as part of the budget. However, as the students who pay tuition and therefore contribute to UTM and its budget, we feel that letting go of such a professor, especially one of the best professors this school has had, is not a fair budgetary decision. We are here first and foremost to learn from the best and the brightest, and that is Professor Thornton. If you do not renew his contract, the university may not suffer tremendously, but we, the students will. We sincerely regret the administration's willingness to deprive us of the best educational experience possible and strongly consider for those in authority to re-evaluate this decision, as demonstrated through this petition. We ask kindly to please reconsider your decision for the students and for the University of Toronto (including but not limited to; Mississauga, St. George, and Scarborough Campus’). In hard times, such as these, it is easy to forget who we are and why we are here at this most excellent academic establishment. Please, we encourage those in Governing Councils (History, Classics and others) and all other associated UofT boards, to try to remember. Daniel James Thornton, M.A., M.S.L.I.S., Ph.D. (ABD 2012-13) Lecturer in Classics, Ancient Languages, and History University of Toronto Sincerely, The Students of University of Toronto (St. George, Mississauga, Scarborough Campus’)