[Antiracism] [Workers Rights] UMass Student Strike 11/15-16

[WMass Jobs With Justice]

-----Original Message-----
From: Graduate Student Senate <mailto:gss-info at grad.umass.edu>

The leadership of the graduate and undergraduate student bodies (including
GSS), along with many individual students, has declared that next Thursday
and Friday (November 15 and 16) there will be a General Student Strike.  We
are calling for all students – graduate and undergraduate – to refrain from
both attending and teaching classes, and instead join together for a series
of teach-ins, a rally, and other activities throughout the two days.  We ask
that graduate teachers relocate their classes to the Student Union and
Campus Center, where events will be going on throughout the day that pertain
to the demands we have issued.  This is not a labor strike, however: this is
a call for all students – workers or not – to join.

We make this call for a general strike, not only after more than 11 months
without a GEO contract, but after years of inaction and an overall lack of
respect for chronic issues facing students.  From these issues that both
undergraduate and graduate students have agreed to be of mutual importance,
the following demands are being put forth:

- A rollback of student fees
- Funding and accountability for diversity
- Removing police patrols from within dormitories
- Student control over student spaces

The Executive Board of the Massachusetts Society of Professors (MSP, the
faculty union) voted overwhelmingly today to urge faculty to sign a pledge
of non-retaliation for graduate and undergraduate students who participate
in the action.  An email will be shortly sent to all professors by MSP, and
as we get a longer list of participating professors, they will be posted on
the website.

Information about the student strike can be found at http://UMASSGSS.org,
and more will be posted in the coming days, including a specific schedule.
There is also a form on the homepage to indicate that you'll be joining us,
as well as other ways you can help.

During both days of the strike, there will be ongoing teach-ins and
workshops in the Student Union and Campus Center. An exact teach-in schedule
(with themes and room locations) will be posted at
http://umassgss.org/information/current/strike-teach-ins.html and there will
be a "Strike & Teach-In Information Stations" in both the Campus Center
Concourse and in the lobby of the Student Union (in front of the mini mart),
where you can direct your students to meet you or gather further
information.

We understand that such an action is not to be taken lightly, and we do not
call for it frivolously.  Education and research is of great importance at
the University, but that is not – and cannot be – of sole importance.  The
quality of life of students and student workers, the rights of students and
student workers, and the respect they deserve are basic qualifications for
the Academy and any institution to function.  After months, and even years,
of ignoring or putting off student concerns, we believe that business cannot
continue as usual, at least not for two days next week.

This is not simply an action for the benefit of graduate students who belong
to GEO, nor is it simply an issue for undergraduates.  We are calling for a
rollback of fees for every student; we are asking for funding and
accountability for graduate students of color and other marginalized
populations; we want mutual (grad and undergrad) control of and a refrain
from the increasing privatization of student spaces.  While the issue of
getting cops out of the dorms is not directly central to graduate student
life, it is a violation of the dignity of our fellow undergraduates, and we
believe that an injustice to one constituency is an injustice to all.
Ultimately, a show of student unity and refusal to be ignored can only add
to the chances for an increase in the quality of life and education for
those who study and work here.

We hope that all graduate students join us in these two days.  We hope that
students understand that such actions are sometimes necessary to level the
field upon which the interests of students are balanced.  We wish to do so
peacefully, but emphatically, and show that the University exists – at least
it should – for us, and for those who come afterward. 


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