The Socialist Worker Connects Strike to Larger Issues

Posted today on Socialistworker.org:

The key issues in the strike flow from SIU Chancellor Rita Cheng and SIU President Glen Poshard’s attempts to impose a “corporate education” model on the school. As one student and Navy veteran asked in an open letter, “Is SIUC just after my government benefits after all? Like [the for-profit] University of Phoenix?”

“What is at stake here,” said striking professor Jyostna Kapur, “is the education of working class and middle class students. The administration wants to cheat our students of a good education by trying to make us work for more and more with less and less at a time when working class and middle class students are going into debt for this education.”

Read the full article.

The frustration among students is mounting….

The most recent petition signature reads:

“It is becoming increasingly apparent that something is terribly wrong with the Administrative structure as SIUC and this strike is actually a symptom of a larger problem. As a student I am signing right now to not only support my faculty, but to say ENOUGH! I believe that greed and corruption are at the center of this struggle. It is not the greed of the Faculty however, it is the greed for money and power at the top. I am asking that Glenn Poshard and Rita Cheng resign from this institution, so that we can restore dignity and integrity to this university.”- Mickey Johnson

Have you asked your friends to sign the petition today?

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savetenureatsiucarbondale/

Reports of Acts Against Non-Striking Faculty Dismissed by University Spokesman

Fresh from The Southern Illinoisan:

Sievers also dismissed rumors and reports of vandalism that occurred on campus against people who have continued to work during the strike.

“There have been some incidents of minor stuff, but nothing has risen to the level of formal reports being field,” he said.

The number of reports has been fewer than half a dozen, Sievers said, adding police can’t even definitely connect them to the strike.

Sievers couldn’t specify what the nature of the incidents have been but said they are very low on campus security’s priority list.

Read more: http://thesouthern.com/news/local/education/article_8ab16492-0af8-11e1-95db-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1dERrxDIq

Board Ensures the Strike Will Continue at Least One More Day

Board departs negotiations after revising proposal

At 5:17 pm on Monday November 7, the SIUC administration’s bargaining team presented the Faculty Association’s negotiating team with a revised proposal on all remaining items at dispute. The administration’s team then informed the FA team that they were departing for the evening and wished to resume negotiations Tuesday morning. The FA’s bargaining team will return to bargaining with the administration team Tuesday.

The following statement may be attributed to FA spokesperson Dave Johnson.

“While we will seriously consider the board team’s revised offer, we are extremely disappointed that they have broken off negotiations this evening. Their premature departure ensures that the strike by faculty on the SIUC campus will continue at least one more day. The faculty team will work through the evening to prepare for negotiations and be ready to meet with the BOT team Tuesday morning.”

Source: http://siucunions.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/board-ensures-strike-continues/

Business as Usual Series: “A disgrace to Newton and Leibniz”

An open letter to top administrators, snipped from Deo Volente:

Several students have sent me descriptions of that class, and I quote one of them:

“Yesterday (Thursday), the first day of the strike, was very awkward. The Math 150 class was staffed by the Assistant Dean of the College of Science, [name deleted by D.B.]. She is an economist who has a background in Calculus. Yesterday’s class lasted only 20 minutes with her giving us a brief lecture of the fundamentals behind integration. She then got uncomfortable to the point where she was literally copying the book. She also took attendance, by the way. As I said, she stopped after 20 minutes, assigned no homework and dismissed the class.

Today (Friday), was basically a repeat of yesterday. The class lasted 10 minutes and we pretty much reviewed what we went over yesterday!”

Read the full letter.

Business as Usual Series: Meet Your “Qualified” Replacement Professor

From Deo Volente:

Professor of Endocrine Biochemistry becomes Professor of History for the week.

Read the full story.

“… when someone said Cheng might still be in her office, she went into Anthony Hall again!!”

From two ACsE members who joined the FA picketers near Anthony Hall during the breaks and after work on November 4:

“Yes we had an awesome conversation with a daughter and mom who were here for the open house. We told them what a great school this is, how fantastic the professors are, and what a great community Carbondale is. They left us w/a great impression and went in to tell the people in Anthony hall that they need to treat the teachers better b/c that’s why people will come here.”

“Yeah, that mom was still there when I came back after work!! She talked to both Poshard & Nicklow (the provost). Then when someone said Cheng might still be in her office, she went into Anthony Hall again!! “

SIUC Faculty Association Strike – Day 2

Produced by FATV for the SIUC Faculty Association. Impressions of undergraduate & graduate students, faculty, and local union leaders during day 2 of the strike.

Petition supporting SIUC faculty has over 600 signatures!

Check it out. As of today, 614 folks, including alumni, faculty, regional residents and others who love SIUC signed the petition. Signers urge the Administration to negotiate; their comments express solidarity and much more:

“I support academic freedom and transparency.” ”This is not an elementary school. SUBSTITUTES WILL NOT CUT IT! SIUC admins – it’s time to do the right thing. Solidarity from an alum.” “I would further like to express my indignation of this university’s attempts to stifle and block all expression of disagreement with the administration and solidarity with any unions, especially on forums like facebook.” “I know its hard for you to stay out of the classroom… SIU is nothing without its professors and it is time that the administration realized that.” “To the SIU Administration, I am disgusted with the way you have handled this situation. Not only have you mistreated and misrepresented your own employees, but you have also dismissed, deleted, and refused to partake in dialogue with your students and alumni. Learning to analyze critically and partake in discourse are two of the most important lessons I learned as an Undergraduate at SIUC, and now you are failing to do either.” “As an alum and new faculty member at another institution, I stand with the faculty of SIUC.”

Check out the PETITION link above for more comments, and sign the petition if you support a fair settlement that guarantees financial accountability.

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