Dear David,

I’m writing to you to let you know of recent problems on campus. On at least three occasions during reading week, we have experienced Internet outages on the main campus. Additionally, there have been at least two outages on the CRW campus. These outages have resulted in significant interruptions to those of us working on completing final projects and studying for final exams.

As the usage of the Internet has become so prevalent and integrated into the educational experience at the Seminary, connectivity is no longer a luxury but a necessity. For example, one course I am taking this semester has a final that is entirely administered online and the resources for that final (other than our textbook) are only accessible through Blackboard.

Further, it appears that the entire network has been affected by one of these outages, resulting in an inability to access the Seminary website, webmail, Blackboard, and the library catalogue system (even from Internet devices not connected to the Seminary network). Unless one had located research material prior to the outage, it would be impossible to find that material. It is also not possible to work on any collaborative projects that rely on communication via student email during the outage.

In light of these considerations, I am humbly requesting for myself and for my student colleagues a campus-wide extension on all final projects and exams not administered in the classroom. I am requesting that the extension be for one day or for the duration of the combined outages we have experienced during reading week, whichever be greater.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Jacob Douylliez

SGA Middler Representative