|
|
|
|
NEWS & LETTERS, December 2008 - January 2009
Workers, students rally
Urbana, Ill.--Student and campus workers united on the quad at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Wednesday, October 29 for a "Quality in Education" rally. The rally was organized by local chapters of the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) and the GEO (Graduate Employees Organization) and brought out not only members of these unions, but students, faculty, and members of the community.
Over 200 people converged to voice their concern over three recent announcements by the administration: wage cuts, tuition hikes, and attacks on free speech. The university announced early this semester that faculty and staff would only receive a 1.5% raise instead of the 3% raise promised even though the state provided funds for the 3% raise. With inflation at 6% this "raise" is actually a cut. Tuition goes up 9% this year for incoming freshman but the tuition of already matriculated students will remain the same. The rally also spoke out against the recent announcement by the ethics office that no university employee would be allowed to wear any buttons or other political items, nor have political bumper stickers on their car on campus property. Campus employees would not stand for this blatant violation of the first amendment.
In the opinion of many rally organizers, it could not have come at a better time. This week the university community received emails from both the chancellor Richard Hermann and the president B. Joseph White about the looming economic crisis that the university faces. A hiring freeze is in effect and the administrators warn of further cuts and layoffs. Campus workers will continue to put pressure on administrators to get their priorities straight. In times of economic crisis, the administrators should not be getting 20% raises while the cafeteria workers get a measly 1.5%. Employees should not be laid off while campus construction and expansion projects continue. As can be seen by the large turnout of workers and supporters, the university will be forced to consider the needs of those who keep the university running, its faculty, staff, and student employees.
--UIUC Grad Student
|
