Feb 18th All Union Town Meeting Update and Actions

2/26/2025

Dear Members,

200 members of the four campus unions gathered to meet with the Chancellor, the Provost and other members of upper administration on Tuesday, February 18th. We wanted to share our concerns and fears about federal government threats to members of our community on the basis of immigration status, gender identity, and race, and attacks on higher education including cuts to federal grant funding. 

65% of students and 28% of our faculty identify as Black, indigenous, or person of color. 34% of staff identify as Black, indigenous, Asian and/or Latine. 53% of our students are first gen, 51% are Pell Grant eligible, and 10% are international students. Equity and an ethic of care are core values that drive institutional policies, practices, and culture. And we thrive as a community of people who learn from each other and from life experiences different from our own. Here are some of the questions you brought to Town Hall:

Will the University offer concrete support for our vulnerable student population?

Where is the office of general counsel and what is their role on our campus?

Is there a commitment to recruit students this fall?

What will happen to the work that involves DEI, etc, that is in jeopardy? What will happen to those faculty and staff?

What are campus public vs private spaces?

What are we allowed to do and not do in terms of advocacy?

Despite the looming threats to our community, to research, and to our anti-racist mission on our campus,  Administration did not send a single representative or respond to our request that they meet with the campus community.

No matter. We speak for ourselves. We protect ourselves. We protect our community. To protect ourselves - all of us - we have concrete advice and suggestions for collective actions below. 

Immigration

Carry a Red Card to assert your rights.

• Regardless of our immigration status, each of us have rights under the U.S. Constitution.
• A red card is a wallet size card that contains key information about your rights if you encounter law enforcement or immigration authorities.
• We have red cards for anyone who wants one.  Please reach out to your union for distribution (contact the FSU office or print the card yourself).

Post a sign indicating a workspace, office, lab, or classroom is a private space

• Federal agents may enter public spaces
• Federal agents cannot legally enter a private space of a workplace unless they have permission (i.e. judicial warrant).
• As our administration has not responded to requests to clarify which are private and safe spaces on our campus, we assert that our workspaces, offices and classrooms are private spaces!
• Print out a sign to post yourself (see attached) or pick up printouts from a union office.

Grant funded research and equity, diversity and inclusion on our campus 

Join the public higher education working group to develop campus actions

• Members of public higher education (community colleges, state universities and UMass campuses) are joining together to develop strategies including a list of demands to campus leaders and state officials plus campus actions. Sign up at this link if you would like to be involved and can commit to weekly meetings (contact FSU or Caroline Coscia for information).

Counter discrimination and strive to protect our inclusive and diverse community

• UMass Boston is an anti-racist and health promoting institution.
• Vocalize, amplify, reiterate our values publicly and privately. 
• Attend campus events and support faculty and students working against racism, for equity, and for people’s rights and freedoms.

If you have energy or time to spare right now, find a way to get involved by contacting your union. If you have ideas for work to be done, bring them with you to a union meeting. 

Solidarity and resistance,

Caroline Coscia, FSU President

Sana Haroon, FSU Vice-President

Warren Hinckle, GEO

Penelope MacDonald, PSU Vice-President

Alexa MacPherson, CSU President

Tom McClennan, PSU President

James Nee, CSU Vice-President