Support the UMass Amherst General Student Strike...

[Fearless]

November 15th & 16th.

"...For too long, the concerns of graduate and undergraduate students have been ignored by the administration of the school. From starving student support centers, to defying student/faculty opposition to Andrew Card's honorary degree, to prolonging and dismissing union contract negotiations, to an utter unaccountability to diversity issues, those of us who study and teach here have been marginalized. It is time to change.

We are calling for a campuswide STUDENT STRIKE on NOVEMBER 15 and 16. This action is intended as merely a first step, in a larger struggle to gain equity and respect for students (and students who work) on this campus...."



www.umassgss.org

[MADem]

1. Well, I clicked on the link, and it doesn't motivate me to support a strike

This seems rather "slapped together" to me. Why MUST they strike now? A kid who is struggling to work those extra hours to PAY that tuition isn't going to be too thrilled at sacrificing the LEARNING to make a point.

I always thought there had to be a better way. Insult the chancellor instead, wear tee-shirts with a big butt coming out of the the leadership's head, or something. Put up posters or make videos that bring the issues to the fore.

Ridicule them, don't make kids give up the learning they struggle to pay for. You know damn well they've already paid for those seats, and time marches on, as do classes, even if you don't show up for them.

IMO.

Whoever is running this, needs to fix up the page, too. It isn't properly formatted.

For too long, the concerns of graduate and undergraduate students have been ignored by the administration of the school. From starving student support centers, to defying student/faculty opposition to Andrew Card's honorary degree, to prolonging and dismissing union contract negotiations, to an utter unaccountability to diversity issues, those of us who study and teach here have been marginalized. It is time to change.

We are calling for a campuswide STUDENT STRIKE on NOVEMBER 15 and 16. This action is intended as merely a first step, in a larger struggle to gain equity and respect for students (and students who work) on this campus.

Keep checking back here for more information, but in the meantime, fill out the following form:






REGISTER HERE!
(all information is confidential, and is only used for communication and assessment)

We have precious little time to build for the Student Strike, and we can't do it unless students like yourself volunteer. Please fill out the (short!) form below, and we will be in touch with you about when and how to help build for this action.

Name *

Email address *

Phone number (optional)

For the Student Strike, I will: Participate
Help Organize
Announce this in class
Engage in collective civil disobedience



Here's the screwed up part of the page...



Our Demands:<!---->

<!---->(Updated November 7 @ 1:07a.m.)

· STUDENT FEE ROLLBACK<!---->

<!---->· FUNDING AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR DIVERSITY<!---->

<!---->· COPS OUT OF DORMS<!---->

<!---->· STUDENT CONTROL OVER STUDENT SPACE

More details soon ... keep tuned here ...

[Fearless]

2. Then don't support it, and respectfully get out of the way.

It's not up to you to judge the actions of others nor their motives. Know that it was well planned out, now for more than a year. If you don't find the desire of lower student fees (which are now hovering around $8000 a year, with actual tuition at a balmy $856) or care that the adminstration has been thwarting the GSS's attempts to hammer out a new contract for over 3 years now, that in essence they are trying to crush the union, that illegal police patrols are undertaken in private residences, and that in the past two years the administration has sequestered all "student space" used by RSO's on campus and charged them a fee to use space that was previously completely free (and paid for by the aforementioned fees, which are also set to rise again next year). If that doesn't concern you, then why bother even writing here? Are you looking to harass me?

[MADem]

3. Gee, so that's the attitude of the organizers, eh?

Or is it just you? If the former, I'll make it a point to tell my niece and nephews at Amherst to be sure to make it to class on those days, then.

I ask a few valid questions and you give me "tude." I won't be surprised if your effort is less than a rousing success.

I wasn't 'judging' I was making observations about the quality of the announcement (it was poorly done) that fucking Stevie Wonder could see with a blindfold on. If you've been at this for a year, a few minutes on that might have been in order, eh?

I can't help but notice that the shoddy HTML has been subsequently cleaned up, and the page is a bit more readable now. It didn't make any sense at all on the day that you first provided the link.

I was also attempting to understand the REASONS, in some detail, why this action was taking place, and why NOW, and why this method, and not others. I also wanted to know if other actions had been taken or contemplated.

I am not looking to 'harass' you, I was looking for a bit of clarity, which your first post LACKED.

I asked questions, you took offense.

Oh well, that's life. I notice this announcement of yours didn't get much play or response, so even though you take issue with my daring to 'observe' and comment on the clarity and quality of explanation with regard to this effort, I'm at least giving this a slight kick so maybe a few others will see it.

Take a chill pill, why don't you-- you might get better results. You don't call people to your cause or to your side by being shirty.

[Fearless]

4. Take from what I said what you will.

I do NOT represent the groups involved. If you'd like to look back at the website you'll get your clarification as the site has been updated for unrelated reasons. And have fun telling people to stay away, but they won't listen to you if they care. I find it most disconcerting that someone takes it upon themselves to post responses solely of an argumentative fashion. Is it that you have so little to do that you spend your day poking fun of people trying to get the right thing done? I'm confused.

[MADem]

5. I'm giving you another bump for your thread, here.

You don't read for comprehension, do you? Since you don't represent the groups involved, and the "tude" is all yours and not theirs, I won't advocate any position (or have any "fun" so doing, as you averred) to my relatives at Amherst. But, see, that's what I said in my post to you!

Part of getting a university education at the undergraduate and graduate level is learning to communicate effectively. It's IMPORTANT.

You aren't communicating effectively, and neither was that (since repaired) site you provided as a link. It's much better now, as I said.

Your skin is too thin. I am not "poking fun" at you, I am exhorting you to communicate your message more clearly. If you do that, you might get better results from your thread, and more enthusiasm for your cause.

[Fearless]

6. Contrariwise

I have taken no offense personally of anything you've said, I've merely refuted your statements. I disagree with your premise that apparently a movement must have a flashy website or something or other to be pointed. The website in itself was merely an afterthought of a much larger movement elsewhere. I provided the link merely because I didn't feel like describing the event in question and relied on others, evidently unwisely so, to do so for me. What you said first came across to me, over text, an attack on the issue, the movement, and it was to that I responded, perhaps harshly, perhaps angrily, but certainly justifiably if the way I read it was the way it was intended. Otherwise, what is is, and Internet blogging makes fools of us again.

NTF

[MADem]

7. Here's another bump. Maybe someone besides me will see this.

The intent of my first response to you was simply what it was--I was curious, wanted more information, asked a few questions, and pointed out the shortcomings in the link you provided.

As someone who struggled to pay college tuition many years ago, I know all too well how difficult it can be to come up with the dough to get through a semester, never mind an entire degree or grad program. I used to divide the cost of a course by the number of class meetings it had, and while sitting in each and every class, think about how much it was costing me, and WINCE. And I was fortunate enough to enjoy some financial aid, too. Missing class to support any cause wouldn't appeal to someone who struggles to meet those tuition/fees costs, and wants the maximum bang for their buck, which was why I, recalling my own experiences, asked about alternatives to "striking."

I had no desire or intention to attack this issue or movement. I couldn't find the information I wanted in the original link, and was curious about supportive options for those who might not want to miss class, is all.

[Fearless]

8. Then I misread your meaning.

[Breeze54]

10. UMASS is the fifth most expensive of the country's 67 public flagship schools

The tuition is near $17,000.00 a YEAR!!! It used to be a college geared
towards the working class and now it's servicing mostly the affluent!

I support the protesters and more power to them!!!

If you want to 'know' more, try a search engine. It's all over the internet.

Here, I'll get you started.

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2005/12/11/is_umass_pricing_out_kids_like_joe_drury/">Is UMass Pricing Out Kids Like Joe Drury?

As the system's flagship school in Amherst becomes more expensive, more
competitive, and acts more like a public Ivy, it's time to ask what happens
to the mission of furthering the common good - and who'll get left behind?

[Fearless]

9. The Website has been updated with more information...

www.umassgss.org

[Bill McBlueState]

11. As for whether this disrupts learning

It's a common argument -- "Why shut down classes? That disrupts learning."

But participating in direct action and civil unrest is a learning experience, too. College administrators like to remind us that not all education takes place in the classroom, and this student strike is a great example of it.

The idea that direct action gets results has virtually been forgotten in recent decades. Maybe UMass students will come to understand it first hand.

-- Bill McBlueState, a proud member of the Graduate Employee Organization / UAW Local 2322

[Fearless]

12. Student strike TODAY & TOMORROW

www.umassgss.org

Spread the word.

[cleveramerican]

13. Get back to class

how stupid can you be? Boycotting classes you are PAYING to attend.
Students who work at Wendy's to pay their own tuition already know this.

Whatever your beef is... Get over it and keep your eyes on the prize.

A good paying job upon graduation. If you make it that far.

Real life is full of crap you don't like and think isn't fair.
Maturity means you keep going anyway.

[Bill McBlueState]

14. Seriously?

So if you don't like something, you should always suck it up and deal with it instead of protest it? How does that philosophy in any way encourage a strong democracy?

There is more to be gained from college than a good {sic} paying job.

[cleveramerican]

15. You should not throw away your studies for anything.... ever!

Your studies are important.
Your future is important.
How much space is allocated to you in the student union is not.
It pales in comparison.


Yes, 99 times out of a 100, you should remain focused, persevere,and suck it up.


Democracy helps those who help themselves.
Democracy eats the stupid.
Can't get more democratic than that.

[Bill McBlueState]

16. missing class for two days

is hardly throwing away your studies.

Students had to make a trade-off: What sacrifice is warranted in the interest of reducing fees, increasing diversity, and re-asserting control of student spaces? More than a thousand students concluded that missing two days of class was worth potential gains in these areas. They might have felt differently about two weeks of class. It's all about the relative impact of doing what you usually do versus trying something different.

It's working, too. On at least one front, the UMass administration appears to be softening its stance against student control of diversity funding.

[Breeze54]

17. The strike is on behalf of the Student Wendy workers.

UMASS has become an elite college with tuitions that are out of reach for the working class!

That is the whole point of the boycott... a point that you obviously missed. :(

[cleveramerican]

18. comparatively speaking its a bargain.

If you give something away,or cut its price to give-away rates, its value is reduced.
Do you want a UMASS degree to have more or less value in the workplace?
I bet 8 out of 10 of those protesters aren't paying their own way.
Do you think a tuition paying parent would rather have their son/daughter in class or out playing protester?


Its SUPPOSED to be a step up from community college.
The cost must reflect that.


Either way the students job is to go to class
and get the education that they claim to care so much about.
Anything that reduces that priority is shooting yourselves in the foot.

[Breeze54]

19. So; in your book, the cost makes it a great education?

You are off your rocker! One sandwich short of a picnic!

That's absurd and so is your logic or lack there of! :crazy:

Missing one or two classes is not the end of the world or shooting ones self in the foot.

You really have a flair for the dramatic! :sarcasm:

It is a PUBLIC college and should be affordable to ALL, not just those that can pay!!! :grr:

[cleveramerican]

20. I'm saying get your priorities straight

and your studies come first.
If you think thats absurd.
You look at things through the eyes of a child, still.

No crime there
some lessons you must learn on your own.



There are a range of public colleges and they have a range of prices here in Ma.
U Mass is the top of that heep and the price reflects that.
Compared to say... BC at 40k , 17k is pretty cheap.

If you give it away, its value is reduced.