The students signing below request that the Upjohn campus of the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine be open and available to students for extended hours during weekends.

Given that our educational materials are electronic, and that many require a reliable and stable internet connection;

Given that our educational materials perform best while connected to WMed's secure internet;

Given that WMed is focused on team-based learning and student collaboration, which occurs most effectively in places of common congregation (i.e. the Upjohn campus);

Given that the environment at the Upjohn campus is designed to foster improved learning;

Given that the WMed students wish to excel in their studies, to represent the school's academic strengths in the strongest light, and to prepare for direct patient care to the greatest extent possible:

Therefore we the undersigned formally request that our founding Dean, Dr. Hal Jenson (and his staff), provide students with greater weekend access to the Upjohn campus.

Students have suggested two possibilities in this endeavor:

Security personnel may provide students with coming-and-going access from 10 AM until 10 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, or;

Security badges may provide students with 24-7 access, regardless of the presence or absence of security guards, or;

Security personnel may provide students with coming-and-going access from 10 AM until 4 PM (currently available), allowing students to remain in the building after 4 PM without re-entry access. Students leaving after 4 PM would be unable to gain re-entry to the Upjohn campus.

Students are eager to discuss these opportunities, or to hear alternative opportunities to improve weekend access to the Upjohn campus. We request quick resolution of this problem, in order to minimize the negative impact on student learning and success.