We, the undersigned students, alumni, faculty, and staff of Fielding Graduate University petition President Katrina Rogers, Graduate Dean Mario Borunda, Dean for Student Development Kristine Jacquin, Program Director Marilyn Freimuth, and Personnel Committee Chair Ruthellen Josselson to respectfully request that Faculty member David Peterzell be granted a reduction to part-time faculty.

David Peterzell is an incredible asset to the students within the Clinical Program at FieldingGraduateUniversity. His passion for teaching in the areas of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology, Health Psychology, and Perceptual Psychology is unmatched in our department. Many students fortunate to complete coursework with him have grown similarly impassioned, captured by his energy, enthusiasm, and creativity throughout his teaching. David Peterzell finds innovative, technologically advanced ways to teach his students inside and outside the classroom, and has developed deeply personal and professional relationships with many students during his time here.

David Peterzell’s request to be reduced to part-time was a personal necessity, and reflective of the greater systemic issues within our institution. Our faculty workload is incredibly overwhelming, and our faculty are given few realistic opportunities to pursue advanced professional and personal development through sabbaticals or further training. In addition, the Clinical Program continues to function with fewer faculty than necessary to adequately administer the curriculum. With faculty revolving in and out of the program faster than students can keep up, it is essential we remain focused on keeping as many gifted, impassioned, and student-oriented faculty as possible. Our hope is that you will consider our impassioned request to keep David Peterzell on as part-time faculty. It would be a shame to lose additional faculty when it can be prevented.