TENT STATE UMASS
TENT STATE UMASS
April 17 - 21
UMass Amherst Student Union Lawn
www.TentStateUMass.org
-TWO WORKSHOPS OF INTEREST FOR THE SPMA-
Tuesday 4/18
9am - 10am
Public Campaign Financing and the Broader Pro-Democracy Movement
Peter Vickery, Mass Voters for Fair Elections
This workshop will focus on public campaign financing in Massachusetts.
Thursday 4/20
10am - 11am
Elections and a Real Alternative for Peace, Freedom and Jobs
Eric Chester, Socialist Party USA
Eric Chester is an independent socialist candidate for the first congressional district of Massachusetts. Eric is an economist, historian, and former vice-presidential candidate of the Socialist Party USA. Come learn how Socialists are breaking from the two party system to build a movement for Peace, Freedom and Jobs.
ABOUT TENT STATE UNIVERSITY
A coalition of students and workers at UMass are organizing a week-long
event called Tent State University (TSU). This event is both a protest of
rising student fees, un-funded union contracts and a lack of strong public
support for higher education AND a positive enactment of our vision for what
a University can and should be.
Never has the time been so ripe for an event like Tent State. Massachusetts
ranks 47th in the nation on spending per capita for higher education;
workers face tough challenges trying to get ahead with the high cost of
education; and the diversity of UMass's flagship campus is slowly slipping
away.
TSU is a call for equal access to education and an attempt to create an
example of what a university should be: a democratically controlled public
space that brings together diverse groups to exchange ideas, art, and
culture.
***So, what exactly is Tent State UMass?***
Tent State is a week long carnival/conference/mardi gras/party/action
organized by a coalition of folks from the Student Government Association,
the Graduate Employee Organization, the Graduate Student Senate, the Latin
American Graduate Student Organization, ALANA Caucus, Anti-War Coalition, Immigrant Rights Coalition, Free Higher Ed Campaign and many more.
Every morning, there will be workshops and open classrooms - regular UMass
classes that faculty have agreed to open to the public and host in a public
space. Every afternoon, there will be panels, speakers and performers. And
every evening there will be campus-wide "democratic meetings" followed by
hip-hop performances, dance parties, films, and more. We even have a few
free BBQs and meals. Most events will take place under circus tents on the
Library Lawn in front of the Student Union.
A schedule of events is posted at www.tentstateumass.org.
*** TSU is YOUR University ***
You are invited and encouraged to help us shape this event, camp out
overnight during the week, help us entertain our performers and speakers,
help build a buzz about this, and - of course - attend and take part in this
amazing week.
To get more information e-mail TentStateUMass@gmail.com or visit
www.TentStateUMass.org
*** Some of the Issues at UMass ***
FUNDING FOR UMASS -
A. Funding of Union contracts - Many UMass workers are still receiving 2003
salaries while paying 2006 bills. Workers would like to raise the public
profile of unfunded 2004-2007 contracts so that the legislature will move
more quickly to keep their promise to UMass workers
B. Stop tuition and fee increases (move towards Free Higher Ed) - The cost
of education at UMass has been increasingly rapidly over the last five years
and is pricing out many Massachusetts residents. Currently only 10% of
students at UMass come from families with an income less than $30,000 per
year, but approximately 30% of Massachusetts's households fall into this
income bracket.
C. Increasing accessibility and diversity. Support programs, housing and
fellowships/scholarships need to be improved to recruit and retain students
and workers from traditionally underrepresented domestic communities and
other countries.
D. Hire more faculty - The University has experienced a marked decline in
faculty over the last 10 years and has pledged to rebuild with the "Faculty
250" plan. This plan to add 250 new faculty members needs to be funded, and
its implementation must be monitored.
STUDENTS RIGHTS -
Issues such as increased police presence in dorms, random bag searches,
freezing money in the Student Government budget, and failing to hire
directors for student support programs, have made students concerned about
their rights as students and citizens at UMass.
April 17 - 21
UMass Amherst Student Union Lawn
www.TentStateUMass.org
-TWO WORKSHOPS OF INTEREST FOR THE SPMA-
9am - 10am
Public Campaign Financing and the Broader Pro-Democracy Movement
Peter Vickery, Mass Voters for Fair Elections
This workshop will focus on public campaign financing in Massachusetts.
10am - 11am
Elections and a Real Alternative for Peace, Freedom and Jobs
Eric Chester, Socialist Party USA
Eric Chester is an independent socialist candidate for the first congressional district of Massachusetts. Eric is an economist, historian, and former vice-presidential candidate of the Socialist Party USA. Come learn how Socialists are breaking from the two party system to build a movement for Peace, Freedom and Jobs.
ABOUT TENT STATE UNIVERSITY
A coalition of students and workers at UMass are organizing a week-long
event called Tent State University (TSU). This event is both a protest of
rising student fees, un-funded union contracts and a lack of strong public
support for higher education AND a positive enactment of our vision for what
a University can and should be.
Never has the time been so ripe for an event like Tent State. Massachusetts
ranks 47th in the nation on spending per capita for higher education;
workers face tough challenges trying to get ahead with the high cost of
education; and the diversity of UMass's flagship campus is slowly slipping
away.
TSU is a call for equal access to education and an attempt to create an
example of what a university should be: a democratically controlled public
space that brings together diverse groups to exchange ideas, art, and
culture.
***So, what exactly is Tent State UMass?***
Tent State is a week long carnival/conference/mardi gras/party/action
organized by a coalition of folks from the Student Government Association,
the Graduate Employee Organization, the Graduate Student Senate, the Latin
American Graduate Student Organization, ALANA Caucus, Anti-War Coalition, Immigrant Rights Coalition, Free Higher Ed Campaign and many more.
Every morning, there will be workshops and open classrooms - regular UMass
classes that faculty have agreed to open to the public and host in a public
space. Every afternoon, there will be panels, speakers and performers. And
every evening there will be campus-wide "democratic meetings" followed by
hip-hop performances, dance parties, films, and more. We even have a few
free BBQs and meals. Most events will take place under circus tents on the
Library Lawn in front of the Student Union.
A schedule of events is posted at www.tentstateumass.org.
*** TSU is YOUR University ***
You are invited and encouraged to help us shape this event, camp out
overnight during the week, help us entertain our performers and speakers,
help build a buzz about this, and - of course - attend and take part in this
amazing week.
To get more information e-mail TentStateUMass@gmail.com or visit
www.TentStateUMass.org
*** Some of the Issues at UMass ***
FUNDING FOR UMASS -
A. Funding of Union contracts - Many UMass workers are still receiving 2003
salaries while paying 2006 bills. Workers would like to raise the public
profile of unfunded 2004-2007 contracts so that the legislature will move
more quickly to keep their promise to UMass workers
B. Stop tuition and fee increases (move towards Free Higher Ed) - The cost
of education at UMass has been increasingly rapidly over the last five years
and is pricing out many Massachusetts residents. Currently only 10% of
students at UMass come from families with an income less than $30,000 per
year, but approximately 30% of Massachusetts's households fall into this
income bracket.
C. Increasing accessibility and diversity. Support programs, housing and
fellowships/scholarships need to be improved to recruit and retain students
and workers from traditionally underrepresented domestic communities and
other countries.
D. Hire more faculty - The University has experienced a marked decline in
faculty over the last 10 years and has pledged to rebuild with the "Faculty
250" plan. This plan to add 250 new faculty members needs to be funded, and
its implementation must be monitored.
STUDENTS RIGHTS -
Issues such as increased police presence in dorms, random bag searches,
freezing money in the Student Government budget, and failing to hire
directors for student support programs, have made students concerned about
their rights as students and citizens at UMass.
posted by Matthew Andrews at 12:12 PM
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