anti-discrimination protest at UMass

Howdy DUers,

I just got back from a kick-ass protest at UMass. This semester, the university started levying a $65 per semester fee on all international students.

Eight dollars of that fee go to support the SEVIS system, which is mandated by the PATRIOT act to keep tabs on all international students. So in the first place, we have international students being asked to pay for *their own surveillance.*

But most of the fee goes to restore the budget of the International Programs Office, which got hit in the last round of cuts. This fee-for-servies approach is totally antithetical to the university model -- can you imagine what would happen if disabled students had to pay a special fee for ADA compliance? Or if only people of color had to pay for affirmative action compliance?

The Graduate Employee Organization (affiliated with the UAW) organized about 200 students for the protest. We had a series of speakers and ultimately stormed the Chancellor's office.

We think we've made some progress -- UMass is in the town of Amherst, and the town selectboard is beginning to take notice. Pressure from the community will really help the cause.

If you're in the UMass area, you can sign a petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/survfee/petition.html

:kick: