To whom it may concern,

As part of the Biology Department, we pride ourselves with the diversity and economic inclusion that comes with being SF State students. We acknowledge that the cost for the graduation ceremony is necessary; however, we acknowledge that there are many students within the department who are low income, experiencing economic hardships or are food insecure; many of which are first generation college students. It would be wrong to deny them the participation of graduation because of the economic status. We believe that charging the students $22 per ticket is excessive especially since it will be held in the Cox Stadium. The Biology Department is charging its students almost twice as much compared to other departments in SFSU. For example, the Health Education Department is charging their students $8 per ticket, the Engineering Department $10 or the Physics Department with no additional charge for the ceremony. We humbly ask for the graduation fee to be lowered to $10 per ticket. In doing so, this will ensure that our community will be present as an inclusive environment, disregarding economic status and financial burden to the students and their loved ones.

Thank you,

Students from the Biology Department

UPDATED PETITION ANNOUNCEMENT:

After talking to the Chair of the Biology Department about the pricing and budget cost regarding the ceremony, the petition was not able to get approved due to the cost of the event. The breakdown of the cost is as follows:

Chairs and Stage $14,000 (note that chairs were required as the bleachers are not up to code and risk management would not let us use the bleachers)

Porta Potties $1500

Sound $4300

Trash services $700

Police $2200

Water Stations + pastries $3800

Pay for helpers $2000

DPRC shuttle $200

Printing programs $1700

Cords $1200

Balloons $600

Stadium rental $200

TOTAL $32400

$32,400 divided by 1600 guests = $20.25 per person. They are charging $22 just to make sure that they break even if fewer guests show up (or if there are unanticipated costs).

We thank you for your support and time each of you took to relay this petition to a friend or classmate.