We, the under signed, feel the loss of the Graduate Student Lounge has betrayed the emphasis the Ford School places on its graduate programs and hurts the Ford School's reputation among its peer universities and prospective student recruits.  The Ford School's emphasis on an elite, professional, graduate program is what attracts the diverse and highly qualified student body we have come to expect.  The Graduate Student Lounge demonstrated the Ford School's dedication to its graduate program by providing a place for graduate students to meet and discuss shared courses, hold formal and informal study sessions, and unwind socially with our peers between classes and study groups.  The inclusion of those working at a different level in their academic development interrupts these activities and distracts the graduate students from their work.  We welcome discussions on how to develop a more cohesive Ford Community and have many ideas on how to attain a unified school of which all of us can be proud. 

Therefore we are asking the Ford School Administration to reconsider its decision on the student lounge and request to be a part of a dialogue to make the Ford School the best policy institution it can be.

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