We, the undersigned graduate students of the University of Notre Dame, request that the University, either through Aetna or another insurance provider, reinstate the optional dental insurance plan that it had offered graduate students through the academic year 2012-2013. Many of our peer institutions offer student dental insurance. Columbia University does so through the same health insurance provider used by Notre Dame.

We understand that dental insurance, like all insurance, is a matter of pooling risk, so that affordability follows widespread participation. We believe that the low graduate student participation rate in the dental insurance plan in the year preceding its termination reflected not apathy, but lack of awareness.

The combined efforts of University Health Services, the Graduate School and the Graduate Student Union to inform students of optional dental insurance coverage would raise participation and lower premiums. If it does not do so, then the optional plan will cease to be cost-competitive.

We request that the University resume its former policy of giving its graduate students the option of at once acquiring dental insurance for themselves and rendering it more affordable for others by reinstating an optional University student dental insurance plan.