Organize the South

This is a call to action from Georgia Students for Public Higher Education. There will be a March 15 rally at the Capitol demanding that public education in Georgia be saved.

The economic crisis has hit public education, and it's taking no prisoners. A proposed "compromise plan" for the University System of Georgia includes over an over 30% tuition hike, a $1,000 fee hike (on top of the $100-200 fee hikes already instituted), hundreds of layoffs for campus workers, even more furlough days for faculty, department "consolidations" and closures, a shortened semester schedule, campus closures and drastically reduced admissions rates. The concept of public higher education itself is facing extinction. Many of us have already lost jobs, faced wage cuts, and many have even lost their homes. Working people everywhere have felt the pain of the crisis and it just doesn't seem to have an end. Other public services are also facing extinction. From public transit to housing and healthcare, everything is at stake. Public K-12 education is also under severe attack, with already crowded classrooms that continue to balloon in size, teachers forced to work under incredibly adverse conditions, and students being subjected to mind-numbing standardization in the place of education.

We in Georgia Students for Public Higher Education come to you proposing a real solution--not one that asks you to sell out other students, other programs, campus workers, or faculty. We demand justice. A real recovery from this crisis means stopping the cuts right NOW to get our state moving forward. We didn't cause this crisis and we should not have to pay for it. If that means passing a "sin tax" on cigarettes or taxing the super-rich (who have been assuring investors of rising profitability for months now), so be it. Education could be an engine of job growth and a haven for those eager to gain new footing in difficult times. If these cuts go through, that hope will be lost.

We can only get there by standing together--students, campus workers, faculty, and community members. A state-wide movement is being built to connect all of us in an historic effort to save public higher education. On March 15 at the Georgia state capitol, we'll have an opportunity to show our strength and we urge everyone to join us. If you can't be there, join the "Virtual Day at the Capitol" (check facebook for information on how to do this). You can also join or organize demonstrations on your campuses in support of this movement on March 15--consider organizing a campus walkout, a rally outside your president's office, a letter-writing party for your representatives, or whatever else you feel is appropriate for your campus.

Until March 15, stay plugged in by joining the facebook group "Georgia Students for Higher Public Education" (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&ref=ts&gid=215693188744) for updates. If you'd like to organize with us join our Google group (http://groups.google.com/group/georgiastudents/) to discuss action plans.

See you at the capitol!

MONDAY, MARCH 15 2010.
11 to 3 PM (time subject to change)

If you aren't on facebook, check the GSU Progressive Student Alliance blog for updates.

Brought to you by "USG Students for Quality Education" and "Georgia Students for Public Higher Education."