In this issue:
UConn-AAUP & GEU-UAW send joint letter to President Maric
*New* Calls to Action and Library of Information page on our website
Free Speech Resources
UConn-AAUP & GEU-UAW send joint letter to President Maric
- On Friday May 4, 2024, UConn-AAUP and GEU-UAW (Graduate Employees United) sent a joint letter to President Maric and the UConn Administration in defense of free speech and civil liberties for all UConn students. As labor unions we condemn the Administration’s mobilization of police in response to a peaceful protest.
Read the full letter here. - If you know of another union that would like to sign on to this letter, please advise union leaders to email uaw6950pres@gmail.com.
*New* Calls to Action and Library of Information page on our website
In light of recent events concerning free speech and right to assembly at UConn Storrs and other college campuses across the country, UConn-AAUP has launched a new page of our website where members may share calls to action and/or contribute to a library of information. All material appearing on this page has been reviewed but not endorsed by the Executive Committee of the UConn-AAUP. To share a call to action or contribute additional information to the library, please write to ginadb@uconnaaup.org. All submissions will be reviewed by UConn-AAUP Executive Committee.
Call to Action – Sign an Open Letter from UConn Faculty to the Administration
- A group of faculty have written an open letter deploring the university’s disproportionate response to student protest and calling for an amnesty for arrested students. The letter does not take a position on the underlying issues of Israel, Palestine, and the war in Gaza, but stresses the need for the administration to protect free speech, encourage civic discourse, and preserve the right to peaceful assembly. The letter can be found here; signatures will be collected through at least 5pm on Tuesday May 7th.
Library Item – National AAUP
- In Defense of the Right to Free Speech and Peaceful Protest on University Campuses
- AAUP President Condemns Student Arrests
Library Item – American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Additional Free Speech Resources
UConn-AAUP will continue to develop resources on freedom of information for our members. We currently have a legal opinion for teaching faculty regarding using classroom time for discussion of the CT funding crisis and a fact sheet from National AAUP regarding campus free speech/academic freedom in politically charged times.
Check out these resources here Freedom of Speech Resources – UConn-AAUP (uconnaaup.org)
Michael Bailey, Executive Director UConn-AAUP
Gina DeVivo Brassaw, Internal Organizer UConn-AAUP