Dear colleague,
Next week, our two national unions, the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors, will launch a campaign for “A New Deal for Higher Education.” On Wednesday, February 10, at 2 p.m. (click to register), you can join an online discussion about the new campaign. Speakers will include AFT President Randi Weingarten; AAUP President Irene Mulvey; our own Jennifer Mittelstadt, representing Scholars for a New Deal for Higher Education, a new initiative she cofounded; our Rutgers colleague URA-AFT President Christine O’Connell; and many others.
We don’t have to tell any of you about the impact of our society’s eroding commitment to higher education, particularly at public universities like Rutgers. But with a new administration and Congress in Washington, we have an opportunity to advocate for something different. This is a moment to stand up for a just, inclusive system of higher education that can help transform our world.
A New Deal for Higher Education seeks to recenter our public colleges and universities for the good of all of society. In addition to advocating for lower tuition, greater institutional funding, and student debt relief, the campaign will fight for reforms related to racial injustice and inequities, labor practices, academic freedom and governance, federal research funding, technical and vocational education, and other measures that will change the face of higher education.
Please join us in attending the kickoff event of A New Deal for Higher Education on Wednesday, February 10, at 2 p.m. (click to register).
And as a follow-up, plan to attend the second Freedom School session of the semester on Thursday, February 25, at 7 p.m. at which Jennifer will join others in discussing “Winning a New Deal for Higher Education.” You can register for that session now, but don’t forget there’s still time to sign up for Freedom School tomorrow night at 7 p.m. on “Why R Budget Matters: RCM and Campus Austerity” (click to RSVP for tomorrow night).
In solidarity,
Todd Wolfson, President, Rutgers AAUP-AFT
Rebecca Givan, Vice President, Rutgers AAUP-AFT
Jennifer Mittelstadt, member, Rutgers AAUP-AFT
Rutgers AAUP-AFT Facebook page: https://facebook.com/RUaaup/
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Find the latest messages to members and union statements here.
Watch Todd’s video on the battles for our union today.