Dear members of the UVM community:
In light of John Mejia’s hunger strike and of recent student demonstrations, I wish to reiterate United Academics’ solidarity, stated last fall in the resolution reproduced below, with students of color in calling on UVM’s administration to find more effective means to help ensure a safe learning and working environment. We are committed to working with the community towards that end.
Statement of Oct. 26, 2017: “The Executive Council of United Academics stands in solidarity with students of color in calling on UVM’s administration to find more effective means to help ensure a safe learning and working environment; one that is free of discrimination, prejudice, and threats to personal safety and well-being. We call on every member of the community to join us in opposing racism and all forms of discrimination and fostering a community that supports all of its members. We urge the university to ensure that threats to harm vulnerable members of the UVM community are treated with the urgency, seriousness, and transparency they deserve.”
Sincerely,
Tom Streeter
President, United Academics
United Academics is the union of full- and part-time faculty at University of Vermont, with over 700 members from departments and colleges across the campus. We represent faculty in negotiating and upholding contracts, and we advocate for fair labor practices within and beyond our academic community. We are a member-led union committed to academic freedom, shared governance, social and environmental justice.