Governments and organizations around the world have recognized the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities have highly recommended that social distancing measures and the closure of public gathering spaces be undertaken to limit the transmission of COVID-19.

With 23 cases in Alberta as of the creation of this petition and cases rapidly growing by the day, we the students of the University of Calgary are petitioning the board of directors to suspend all on-campus classes and activities until the outbreak is contained. There is proof around the world that proactivity is better than reactivity in combating COVID-19, and it is our social responsibility to undertake such measures for the safety of faculty, students, and the general public.