"Strongly motivated students from educationally deprived and historically underrepresented backgrounds are actively sought and encouraged to apply. It is the policy of the TCDM to seek to admit a diverse class with respect to gender, race, ethnicity, cultural and economic background, and life experience."

On February 9, 2023, TCDM had decided to dismiss a D2 student, claiming him to have violated the following:

- Disorderly, disruptive or abusive conduct in the classroom or on College premise.

- Actions that are not harmonious with and supportive of the activities and functions of an educational institution; actions that harm the reputation of the college.

- Academic Integrity Policy

The Standing Committee on Academic Integrity had made a decision based on the following accusations on January 24, 2023 with disciplinary sanctions. However, the case was reopened two weeks later and the Student Affairs Committee decided in the expulsion of this student.

Dan Avshalomov, a 42-year student, husband, and father of five children came to this school with the hopes of pursuing a career and changing his and his family's life for the better. Not only did TCDM deprive Dan the chance to pursue his passion of dentistry, but it seems that they did not even choose to respect the financial and life situations of his family when making this rash decision.

It is no secret that dental school is not easy, and is a major life transition. Dan faced the hardships of returning to undergraduate school and to complete the master's program at NYMC in order to be considered an applicant at TCDM, all while caring for his family. The expulsion of Dan is nothing but unfair, undermining of all his hard work, and represents the school imparting punishments on an individual which certainly does not match the crime.

We are all students, humans, and are all apart of the TCDM family. It is imperative to understand that all people make mistakes, and should be allowed to work on themselves and grow, rather than get dismissed from the school. TCDM should follow their policy in not only admitting students with diverse backgrounds, but also working with them to be better professionals and role models in society.

The aim of this petition is to indicate to the Student Affairs Committee, and the rest of the TCDM family that Dan is not a disruptive member to our class, but rather an asset to our community. At any opportunity given, Dan makes sure to help others and gives ALL his time voluntarily to make sure his peers are up-to-date and not falling behind. It is only fair if we return this favor to Dan.

Keeping Dan a student here will not "harm" the reputation of our school, but indicate the following characteristics: honorability, justness, care, and open-mindedness. These are all qualities that students look for in a school.

Sign this petition for the Student Affairs Committee at TCDM to RETRACT their decision of dismissing D2 student Dan Avshalomov, and to allow him to continue his education alongside his fellow peers.