(Host) A group of University of Vermont students are calling on their classmates to walk out today to protest proposed job and budget cuts at the school. Administrators are working to trim $15 million from the budget.
The group Students Stand Up is planning a rally for 1:30 this afternoon outside of the Bailey Howe Library. Students will then walk to the Waterman Building to present their concerns to the administration.
United Academics is the union that represents the most UVM faculty. English Professor Nancy Welch says a no-strike cause in faculty contracts prevents the union from calling for a faculty walk-out. But United Academics hopes faculty will join in.
(Welch) We’re certainly calling on all faculty who aren’t teaching at that time to come join in, and as the president of our union put it in a message to faculty, we need to stand up with students to protest the loss of jobs and the decline of academic quality that will come with these job and budget cuts.
(Host) Students want UVM president Dan Fogel to end plans for layoffs, return administrative bonuses, and cap tuition and room and board increases. They’re also asking that a plan to cut varsity softball and baseball teams be reversed.
United Academics wants the school to use restored state support and federal stimulus money to save jobs, positions and programs.