[CW-Grad] Information for Students about the Sept. 24 walkout

[Robin Russin]

Hi all:

Here is a letter that's been sent out, and which I am passing along,  
to help explain the reasons for the UC-wide walkout. Please note that  
you are neither being encouraged nor discouraged from taking part,  
this is purely informative.

Dear students,

On September 24, thousands of students, faculty, and staff across all  
UC campuses are engaging in a Day of Action to save access to public  
higher education in California.  These actions have been endorsed by  
the University of California Students Association, which represents  
over 200,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at the  
University of California.

This message is to inform you on what will happen at UCR on September  
24, and why different groups are getting involved. We are not saying  
that we expect you to participate.  Ultimately, it is *your* decision,  
after getting informed on the issues, to decide if you want to get  
involved, and/or how.

WHY THIS ACTION?

The UC system, the world's premier public university, is now at a  
breaking point. Students are facing three fee hikes in two years,  
totaling over 40%, including a proposed 15% tuition increase for the  
middle of this year. Staff who support low-income and middle-income  
families are facing furloughs and pay cuts as much as 8%. Faculty are  
concerned about a future UC where thousands of eligible students are  
turned away, or take longer to finish their degrees. All are deeply  
concerned about the future of the UC system that remains affordable  
and accessible to California's residents.

WHAT IS HAPPENING AT UCR ON 9/24?

Teach-in: Speakers, hip-hop theater, and rallies from 10am to 3pm. The  
teach-in will occur at the corner of Canyon Crest and University Drive.

Strike: UPTE, representing 12,000 University Professional and  
Technical Employees, will strike and picket on 9/24. At UCR, the  
picket line is at the campus entrance at Canyon Crest and University.

Student and Faculty Walkout: Over 800 UC faculty, including 88 so far  
from UCR, have chosen to participate in the day's activities.  The UC  
Student Association will participate in the walkout and is calling on  
all its members to get involved.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the issues at stake for public higher  
education, see

Understanding the Crisis at UC:

http://keepcaliforniaspromise.org/?p=230

UCSA resolution:

http://www.ucsa.org/board/resolutions/UC%20Walk%20Out%20Resolution%20Final.pdf

Open Letter to UC Graduate Students:

http://www.gradstudentstoppage.com/

UPTE Strike:

http://www.upte.org/publication-mm/2009-08-31.html

UC Faculty Walkout:

http://ucfacultywalkout.com/

UC's Hidden Wealth: Presentation of report by economist Peter Donohue

Wednesday, Sept. 23 at noon, Watkins 1000



Robin Russin

Associate Professor & Graduate Advisor
Department of Theatre
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
(951) 827-2707
(213) 949-1061 cel
robin.russin at ucr.edu

"I try all things; I achieve what I can." - Ishmael in "Moby Dick,"  
written by Herman Melville

"Deserve's got nothin' to do with it." - William Munny in  
"Unforgiven," written by David Webb Peoples

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