Comments by Jenn

I met with the people setting up the grad union initiative. The first concern it has been decided is to try and generate enough representation from the various departments. This means that it is pretty much back to square one and not in any position to be able to start leaning on the admin any time soon.

It seems to me the problem is that the admin continues to ignore our importance in the framework of this university. Given what the values of the admin are this means they don't see us as

a) going to give them money in future years
b) going to either hurt or help their reputation

I think in order to get them to move on these issues we need to prove them wrong. I would suggest the following.

a) we need to make it clear that the reason past alums don't give is that they are too poor and too pissed off to be interested in this and the university could benefit by ending this line of thought

b) bring a motion to the faculty senate (or whatever similar body we have) to support the funding of current students

c) talk to current donners who do contribute and try to get them to not donate unless the university agrees to really address the inequality amoung its current students.

Lastly on the 'there isn't currently enough money issue'. Someone suggested to me that we could ask the university to promise raise funds for loan forgiveness in the future. This iniative would both give the university time to raise money and target those who suffered most under the current funding plan.