Students, Faculty, Staff at UB North Campus expressed disapproval of privatization issues in UB2020 with an extraordinary demonstration (a funeral march). See below for youtube video and press release statement.
-Alice Alexandrescu
(716) 803-3081
Videos of Funeral (eulogy and procession)
'Talk-Reel' on YouTube… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH4OSqTsLHs
'Walk-Reel' on YouTube… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5NmJK0u-Lo
Press Statement 6/4/11
Today on the campus of the State University of New York at Buffalo, a diverse group of students, staff, and faculty came together to mourn what they recognized as the death of public higher education at the institution, in the state, and around the world. Mourners cited the “UB 2020” strategic plan, as well as budget cuts from the state government, as the cause of death. Some expressed worry that this is only the beginning, and public higher education’s surviving kin will be the next to go.
The speech was largely extemporaneous, but here's some notes:
Spirit of inquiry means we should ask questions about the death of PHE. I am not going to eulogize PHE w/o talking about what is murder -- with appropriate care, attn and priorities PHE could survive. State funding cuts and private interests compromise it.
PHE was built on public money, belongs to public. That means us.
There is gonna be a battle over PHE's wealth, since there is no will. We need to assert ourselves on behalf of all PHE's heirs.
Fight for future since PHE taught us to question and to engage.
Facebook Event Page
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184390444941034
