In the face of ongoing attacks on higher education, AFT Michigan higher education locals are coming together with Michigan’s Higher Ed Labor United (Michigan HELU) to defend workers and students, educate members, and build solidarity. Learn more about the events below taking place during April 17th’s National Day of Action for Higher Education and register for one below!
Workers for Higher Ed – Wayne State University
We are canvassing outside of multiple classroom buildings. We will have various talking points for our canvassers, including gaining signatures on our petition, overpolicing on campus, labor unions on campus, and how the federal cuts right now are impacting workers and students.
April 17 from 10 am – 1 pm & 2 – 3 pm
Wayne State University, Detroit Michigan
Our canvassers and any other attendees (all are welcome!) will join us for snacks from 1 to 2 p.m. when speakers from the various unions will speak.
Understanding University Budgets – Grand Valley State University
Budgets are moral documents that reflect the politics and cultural values of institutions of higher education. For many academic workers and students, university budgets are difficult to “read,” analyze, and understand. Join Kelly Grotke and Stephen Hastings-King (Pattern Recognition: A Research Collective), Matt Seybold (Elmira College, host of The American Vandal Podcast), Jason Wozniak (West Chester University, The Debt Collective), Howard Bunsis (Eastern Michigan University), and Brian Deyo (Grand Valley State University) for an in-depth conversation on critical university studies, the neoliberal university, the financialization of higher education, student debt, and institutional debt. During this webinar, we’ll learn about the concepts/tools we need to defend and support democracy in higher education, academic freedom, and the right to study.
April 16, 4:30 – 5:45 pm EST
Zoom
Register HERE
After our speakers present, webinar participants will have the opportunity to engage in a 45-minute Q&A session.
Stand Up for Higher Ed Rally – Michigan State University
Join the MSU community for a rally to stand up for higher ed:
April 17, 3 pm
in front of Hannah Building
Michigan State University, Lansing, MI
In preparation for the rally, organizers will hold a Know Your Rights workshop on April 16, details to follow.
Challenges in MI Higher Ed – University of Michigan
Join us for a panel discussing the challenges facing higher education in Michigan.
April 17, 4 -5 pm
Forum Hall, Palmer Commons,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Register at bit.ly/UMLaborPanel
UNTF, GEU, and UTSF Stand Up for Higher Education – Michigan State University
Join UNTF (Local 1855), GEU (Local 6196) and UTSF this Thursday, April 17, at 3:00pm on MSU’s campus to Stand Up for Higher Education. Three of MSU’s educator labor organizations are coming together to respond to federal attacks on research, academic freedom, and international community members. Speakers from each Union will highlight the importance of solidarity and institutional integrity in weathering these attacks. Stand with us in front of MSU’s Hannah Administration Building, or wear Red for Ed wherever you are on April 17!
