Guide to Fighting Budget Cuts

Table of Contents
IntroductionWhyfightingbudgetcutsisimportant Researchingyourstate Researchingyouruniversity Buildingyourorganization Recruitingvolunteers Coalitionbuilding Guidelinesforcoalitionbuilding Introtostrategies Short-termstrategy Intermediatestrategy Long-termstrategy Samplestrategychart Sampleflyer Resources 3 4-5 6-7 8 9 10 11 12 13-14 15-16 17-18 19 20 21

Why we must fight together!

Unrestisbrewingamongststudents,faculty,andstaff.Theeconomiccrisisanda decadeofdivestmentfromhighereducationhasresultedinthedeclineoftheuniversitytothedetrimentofthecountryslowandmiddleincomepopulations. Overthepastfewyears,cutstoacademicandstudentserviceshaveseverely compromisedhighereducationquality.Forexample,collegesanduniversitiesare packingmorestudentsintolargerclasseswhiledecreasingservicessuchasacademicadvising.Asstudentsarebeingprovidedless,wearepayingmore.Across thecountry,collegesanduniversitiesareimplementingdouble-digittuitionincreases,someashighas32%,whilestategovernmentsaredecreasingneedbasedaid. Atthesametime,facultyandstaff,theverypeoplewhomakeourcollegesand universitiesestablishmentsoflearning,arebeinglaidoff,furloughed,andforced totakepaycuts,diminishingtheirabilitytoprovideahighqualityeducation. Students,faculty,andstaffareorganizingtogetherbecausethiscrisisaffectsus all.Budgetcutscompromisethediversity,livingwages,andidealsofthepublicuniversity. Organizingagainstbudgetcutsengagesstudentsinabattletomaintainjobsas wellasincreaseaccesstoaffordablehighereducationandleveragesthepower thatstudents,facultyandstaffhavewheninsolidarity.Wewillnotallowouruniversitiestobeprivatized,andwedemandmaintenanceofqualityandaffordability.Theimpactoftodaysbudgetcutsandtuitionhikesthreatenthestabilityof thecountrysfutureandwillbefeltfordecadestocome. Asstudents,ourfundamentalrighttoacademicopportunityandaccessibilityis beingerased.Wearevulnerabletolosingourworldclassprofessorsaswellas courses,majors,andminors.Classesandtutoringreductionscoupledwithlibrary closuresmeanlessguidanceandmorestressfulstudyingconditions.Cutstostudentrecruitmentandretentionprogramsmeandwindlingdiversityonourcampuses,decreasingalreadyminisculepopulationsofunderrepresentedcommunities. Toraiserevenues,theuniversitieshaveturnedtoadmittingmorewealthyout-ofstatestudents,denyingspotsforqualifiedin-statestudentsbecausetheycannot filltheaffordabilitygap. Studentandworkermovementshavehistoricallybeenthecatalystforchangein thiscountry.Itisnownecessaryforustotakeonthisroleonceagain.Itiscrucial forstudents,facultyandstafftostandtogetherinthisstruggletopreservethe valuesuponwhichhighereducationwasfounded.Manyofusarealreadyorganizingthroughcoalitionsofstudents,faculty,andstaffonourcampuses.Wehope thistoolkithelpsyoubuildastudent/workermovementonyourcampusaswell.

InSolidarity, SLAP&USSA

Research your state

Beforeyoustartyourcampaign,itisimportanttoresearchtheprocessforyour statebudget.Youshouldaskquestionslike:Whomakesthedecisions?Whenare thosedecisionsmade?Whenandhowarethosedecisionsimplemented? 1. Findoutthebudgetprocessforyourstate Itisimportanttounderstandhowyourstatemakesbudgetarydecisions,where therevenuecomesfrom,andhowisitallocatedtohighereducation.Thisunderstandingwillgiveyouabettersenseofwhoyourtargetsare,whattimelineyou havetoinfluencebudgetarydecisions,andwhatarethemostcriticaltimesinyour campaigntomakeyourpowerfeltbydecisionmakers. Ex.StateofFlorida Findoutthetimelineofthestate budget,whendecisionsaremade, andwhatarethe importantdates whenyouandyour organizationcan makethebiggest impact.

Five and a Half Keys to the State Budget

Budget

Findoutwherethe budgetcomesfromand howitisallocated.

Major Sources of General Revenue, FY 2007-2008
(after special sessions)

Revenues

Appropriations
[Expenditures]

Earmarked Funds 1/2

Program Mix, Responsibilities, & Administration 5

Revenue Structure 4

Other Taxes and Fees Corporation Filing Fees Interest Earnings Tobacco Taxes Service Charges
Constitutional, Federal and Judical Requirements 3

2.62% 0.93% 1.31% 1.08% 1.56% 2.95% 2.37% 2.30% 3.00% 9.31% 73.99%
10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00%

Economic Factors 1

Demographic Factors 2

Insurance Premium Tax Intangibles Tax Beverage Tax and Licenses Documentary Stamp Tax Corporate Income Tax Sales Tax 0.00%

Percentage of Total GR

Research your state

Somestateconstitutions havestatutoryrequirementsregardingeducationsproportionatereduction.Thisissomething totakeintoconsideration asyouseeproposedreductionsandtheimpact oneducationinthestate. Itwillalsohelpyoufindalliesacrossthestate.
Ex. Florida 215.16 (2) If the state appropriations from the General Revenue Fund for the benefit of the uniform system of public free schools, state institutions of higher learning, and community colleges cannot be paid in full during any given year, they shall be diminished only in the same proportion that appropriations for all other purposes from the General Revenue Fund are diminished during such year. Additionally, any funding reductions to public free schools, state institutions of higher learning, and community colleges shall be diminished in proportions identical to one another. For the purpose of implementing this section, general revenue funds exclude the administrative budgets of the Board of Governors and the Department of Education.

StudentsPowerasVoters Ascommunitymembersandvoters,itis importanttoengageinlocalandstatepolitics. Studentcanbuildelectoralpoweronthe localandstatelevelandmakestudentissuesapriorityforourelectedofficials. Stepsforvoterregistrationandgetout-the-voteprograms 1. Registerstudenttovote 2. Votereducationonimportantissues 3. Getoutthevoteprogramswhenimportantelectionsarehappening USSAhasanElectoralActionTraining whichwillgiveyoualltheskillsandtools neededtorunaneffectivevotecampaign. Checkoutwww.usstudents.orgfor moreinfo.
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LegislativeResearch Itisimperativetofindoutwhich districtyouruniversityislocated in,whorepresentsvotersinthat district,andhowmuchpowerstudentshaveovertherepresentative(s). 1. Checkoutyourstateswebsite oraskyourstudentgovernmentandstatewidestudent associationaboutyourlegislators. 2. Findouthowyourlegislators havevotedinthepastaround studentissuesandbudgets. Seeiftheyarerunningforreelectionanytimesoonandbe suretomarkimportantdates inyourgroupscalendar. Itisalsoimportanttoknowwho isonthebudgetorappropriationscommittees.Evenifthey donotrepresentyourcampus, theyprobablyhaveconstituents whoarestudentsatyour school.

Research your College

Ourcollegesanduniversitieshavebudgetaryprocessesthatcanlookconfusing andarehardtonavigate.Inthesecaseswhatweneedtodoisfindouthowthe universitymakesbudgetarydecisions,whichagenciesdoit,whoisinchargeof them,andifthereareanyexistingpathsorcommitteesinwhichstudentshave decision-makingauthority.

Thispartofthecampaignisessentialwhendealingwiththeadministrationanddecisionmakersastheymaytrytousetacticstodelayaction,createpowerlessadvisorycommittees,anddistractyoufromyourefforts.

Thefollowingstepsareessentialforresearchingyouruniversity: 1. Inpublicuniversities,allinformationisandshouldbeavailabletoanyone whorequestsit.

Administratorsareagreatsourceofinformation.Theyhavebeenintheuniversitysystemforalongtimeandmightknowthepeopleinchargeofcommitteesanddecisionsinthebudget,butbecareful!Administratorsmight alsobeinformingcolleaguesabouttheworkthatyoumightbedoing. Ifthereisafacultyunion,reachouttothemsincetheyhaveprobablydone someresearchabouttheuniversitybudgetaryprocessandaregetting readytoengageincampaignsprotectingworkersrights. Ifinformationisbeingwithheld,allpublicuniversitiesarerequiredbylawto giveanyinformationrequestedundertheFreedomofInformationAct(FOIA) anddifferentstatelaws,dependingonthestate.

2.Findoutifthereisaspecificagencythatdealswithbudgetingand allocationoffundsinyouruniversity Ex.TheFloridaStateUniversityBudgetandAnalysisofficeisinchargeof:

DevelopingtheUniversity'sOperatingBudget ReconcilingBudget&LegislativeAppropriations MonitoringBudgetaryPerformance ManagingE&GRate&SalaryBudget MaintainingOMNIDepartments AssistingtheAuxiliaryServiceBoardintheOversightofAuxiliaries RespondingtoRequestsforInformation(bothinternal&external)

DivisionofUniversityBudget(ex.FSU)
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EducationalandGeneral(E&G) CollegeofMedicine(E&G) AuxiliaryEnterprises ContractsandGrants StudentActivity Athletics CampusConcessions(Vending) FinancialAid

$452m $49m $196m $212m $16m $42m $0.5m $122m

Research your College

3.Findoutdecisionmakingprocessforyouruniversity:

Whoisinchargeoftheoverallbudget? Whatcommitteesarethereforbudgeting? Aretherestudentssittingonthesecommittees?Ifthereare,who aretheyandhowaretheyelected/appointed? Isthereacommitteeforsharedgovernanceinyourstateand/or school? Whatistherelationshipbetweenthestudentgovernmentandbudg-

Ex.FSU E&GOperatingRevenueControl Revenue Control StateGeneralrevenuefund Legislature StateLottery Legislature Tuition Legislature(undergraduatetuition) -BoardofTrustees(BOT)-UndergraduateOutof StateFees -Graduatetuition -GraduateO/Stuitions -BoardofGovernors(BOG)-Delegatesand choosesBOT DifferentialTuition BOGDelegatestoBOT

4. FindoutaboutStudentGovernment'sroleincommitteesandbudgetingofyouruniversity -StudentsinSGAmighthaveimportantrelationshipsand connectionswithadministratorsthatcanhelpyougather information. -YourStudentbodypresidentmightsitontheBoardof Trusteesmeetings. -Findoutwhoyourstudentbodypresidentisandtheirpositiononbudgetcutsand stoppinglayoffs. -Runforstudentgovernment!Createplatformsandruncandidatestobepartof SGA. *SLAPandUSSAcansupportyouinthinkingofstrategiesandwaystowinseatsinstudent government
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BUILDING YOUR ORGANIZATION

WhetheryouorganizethroughStudentGovernmentorcreateanewgroup,astrong, democraticstudentorganizationiscrucialtoasuccessfulcampaign.Itsimportantto beginrecruitingmembersearlyintheschoolyearwhenpeoplearedecidingwhatactivitiestheywillpursue.Putupposters,hostforumsinthestudentunionbuild,andengage studentsinhigh-trafficareasstatingthelaborproblemsoncampusandnotingthat studentshavethepowertosolvethoseproblems. MissionandVision
Understandingwhatthepurposeofyourorganizationisandwherethememberswanttotake itiscrucialtothesurvivalofthegroup.Thiswillpreventfromthegrouptakinguponcampaigns andworkthatarenotconsistentwiththeirmissionandvision.Thisdoesntmeanthatthetype ofworkandcampaignswillnotchange,butthattheworkthatyouwillbeengagingisinlinewith yourvaluesandvisionforthechangeyouwanttomakeinyourcommunity.

HoldingMeetings
Havearegularmeetingtimeandplace.Weeklyorbiweeklymeetingsareprobablybest.Meeting lessfrequentlymaypreventyoufromaccomplishingallyouneedtoduringtheacademicyear. Goodmeetingsarebothproductiveanddemocratic.Itsbesttodesignateoneortwofacilitatorstokeepthemeetingontrack.Thefacilitatorcanberesponsibleforplanningtheagenda andallocatingapproximatetimelimitstoeachtopic.Agoodfacilitatorattemptstoensurethat everyonesvoiceisheard,keepinganeyeontheraceandgenderdynamicsofthosewhospeak andoccasionallybysolicitingtheopinionsofthelessoutspokenmembersofthegroup.S/he shouldalsonotbeafraidtoaskpeopletomakecommentaryconcise,especiallyifthemeeting isdraggingon.

MakingDecisions
Asyourgroupdevelops,youwillwanttoselectaconsistentdecision-makingprocess.Decisions aregenerallymadethroughastraightmajorityvote,two-thirdsapprovalorthroughconsensus. Consensusmeansthateveryoneagreeswiththeproposal,ornooneobjectssostronglyasto blockconsensus.Theconsensusmodelcanbeincrediblytediousandtime-consuming,especiallywhenthereisacontroversialdecisiontobemade.However,manygroupsfeelthetimeis worthitifeveryoneleavesfeelingconnectedtothefinaldecision.

RespectingDiversity
Whenworkingtowardssocialandeconomicjustice,weinevitablychallengetraditionalsystems ofpower.Indoingso,however,weoftenrecreatetheveryhierarchiesweseektoeradicate.An essentialpartofbuildingstudent-workerpoweristomakeyourgroupsustainablebyempoweringasmanypeopleaspossibletospeakoutandtakeleadership.

Beconsciousofyourinternaldynamics.Areyourmeetingsconversationsbetweenthreeor fourpeoplewhileeveryoneelselistens?Aremenspeakingmorethanwomen?Arewhitepeople speakingmorethanpeopleofcolor?Aremajordecisionsbeingmadeoutsideofmeetingsbyan innercoreofmembers?Whospeaksatralliesandpublicactionsandwhodoesthesupport work?Doesyouorganizationcreatecomfortablespaceforpeopleofallethnic,sexualandgenderidentities?Youneedtobeconstantlyaskingthesequestionsinordertobuildaninclusive, democraticanddiverseorganization.

CommunicatingwithOthers
Beforeyoureachouttothepublic,makesureyouhaveaclearandconsistentpublicmessage. Veryearlyinthecampaign,assigninterestedcampaignmemberstofocusondoingcommunicationswork.Thisisntjustproducingpressreleasesandmakingcallstothemedia.Leafletsand 8 othercampaignmaterialsshouldallreflectthekeygoalsofyourcampaign.Ifyourecirculating materialswithcontradictorymessages,youmayconfuseorworse,alienatepotentialsupporters.

Recruiting Volunteers

Volunteerrecruitmentisoneofthemostimportantthingsyoucandotohelpbuildandstrengthen yourorganization.Recruitmentnotonlyallowsyourorganizationtoexpandandbemoreeffective, buthelpsensurethatexperiencedstudentswillbetherewhenotherstudentsturnover.Volunteer recruitmentisgreatforvisibilityandbringinginfreshideasandenergytothegroup.

MakeaListofGroupsandPlacesforRecruitment
Listalloftheareaswhereyoucanreachstudentsoncampus.Thismightbedonebythespecific college,dorm,dininghall,and/orbyorganizationsstudentsparticipatein.Makesuretobreakthem downintomanageablesizes. ForInstance: Yourexistingvolunteerlististhebestplacetostart Organizationsoncampus Apartmentsorstudentheavyneighborhoods Inthedormsordininghalls

Recruitment
Eithercallorvisitthepotentialvolunteersandaskthemtocometoakick-offmeeting.Havethe campaignkick-offmeetingforpeople/organizationswhowanttolearnmoreaboutit.Yourgoalat themeetingistogetpeopleexcitedaboutthecampaignandthengetthemtocommittoworking onit.Whenrecruiting,besuretomentionthefuntasksthatstudentscanengageinright awaysothattheyknowyoursisnotanotherorganizationthatsimplyholdsmeetings.Be action-orientedinyourrecruitment!

Training
Onceastudenthascommittedtoworkingonthecampaign,trainthem.Itisimportantthatthe firstroleastudenttakesasacampusorganizeriseasyandfun.Agoodfirstroleisflyeringatan eventortabling.Iftheyhaveneverdonethesetasksbefore,havethemdoitwithsomeonewhohas experience.

AssignTasks
Volunteerswillquitiftheythinktheirtasksaretooboringorawasteoftheirtime.Itisimportantto givevolunteerssomethingtodoimmediately,butmakesureyouaskthemwhattheyareinterestedindoingsoyoucangivethemresponsibilitiesthatbettersuitthem.Volunteerplacementisa matterofmatchingtheneedsofyourcampaignwiththeinterests,skills,experiences,andavailabilityofthevolunteer.Letthemknowtheyarenotlimitedtodoingthesametask,butthatthey cantrydifferentthingstoseewhattheyaremostinterestedin.

StepstoLeadershipDevelopment
Itisimportanttostartvolunteersoutwithtasksthatareeasytolearnandeasytobesuccessful at.Astheyexcel,evaluatewhichnewtaskorresponsibilitywillfitthevolunteersinterestsandincrease theirinStep1: Step3: Flyering Facilitateameeting Tabling Planevents MakingPosters Dealwithmedia Organizetabling Step2: Helpwithcampaignstrategy Recruitmorevolunteers Step4: Manageatablingshift Organizepartofanevent Developotherleaders Trainingotherstoflyer,table,etc. Beinchargeofrunningcampaign

Guidelines for Coalition Building

Averyimportantpartofthecampaignyouwillembarkonisbuildingalonglasting coalitionthatisinstitutionalizedinyourcampus,createsrelationshipsbetween students,facultyandstaffandcreatesclearcommunicationsystemsbetween groupsforfuturecampaigns.Thefollowingguidelineswillhelpyouaccomplishthis onyourcampus.

1. CHOOSEUNIFYINGISSUES. 2.COALITIONISRARELYTHEROADTODIVERSITY. 3.UNDERSTANDANDRESPECTEACHGROUPSSELF-INTEREST. 4.RESPECTEACHGROUPSINTERNALPROCESS. 5.AGREETODISAGREE. 6.PLAYTOTHECENTERWITHTACTICS. 7.RECOGNIZETHATCONTRIBUTIONSVARY. 8.STRUCTUREDECISION-MAKINGCAREFULLY. 9.URGESTABLEANDSENIORLEADERSHIPATMEETINGS. 10.DISTRIBUTECREDITCAREFULLY. 11.IFTHEREISSTAFF,THEYSHOULDBENEUTRAL.
Ex.JobswithJusticelocalcoalitions Theyarecoalitionsoffaith,labor,communityandstudentactivistswho workonworkersrightsissuesintheirlocalcommunities.

*GROW: Coalitions
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Coalition Building

Acoalitionisanorganizationoforganizations.Itisnotagroupofindividuals.Manyorganizationsmistakenlycallthemselvescoalitionsevenwhentheyrereallyasinglegroup.

WhyFormaCoalition?

DoSomethingBiggerInformingacoalition,yourorganizationcanaccomplishmorethan itcouldalone.Runningacampaignisatremendoustask.Todoitwell,weneedtoform strongcampuscoalitions. IncreasePowerAcoalitionoftenearnsmorerespectandthushasmorepowerthana singlegroup.Forexample,theuniversityadministrationwilltakenoticewhentheblack studentunionandtheenvironmentaliststeamuptoworkonacampaigntogether. IncreaseResourcesEachgroupofferssomethingand,together,itsalot. BroadenstheScopeoftheWorkThroughcoalitions,youcaninvolvegroupsthathave neverbeeninvolvedinthepoliticalprocessbefore.Also,bycreatingadiversecoalition,you cantalkaboutissuesthatyouwouldnthaveincludedbeforeandbroadenyouraudience.

TipsforRunningaStrongCoalition
Bringtogetheradiversegroupoforganizations. Diversebackgroundsandviewpointsbringinnewideasfororganizing.Plus,peopleare morelikelytotakeactionifsomeonetheyidentifywithasksthemto.Thebestwaytoengagestudentsfromallcommunitiesonyourcampusistocreateacoalitionmadeupof studentleadersfromdifferentstudentorganizationsandgroups.Identifythegroups thatrepresentlargecommunitiesoncampus,aswellasthegroupsthatrepresentdifferentcommunitiesoncampussoyouhaveawiderangeoforganizationsinvolved. Recognizethateachgrouphasitsownself-interest. Considerwhyeachgroupwouldwanttojointhecoalitionbeforeapproachingthemsothat youcantailoryourask.Oncethecoalitionisformed,realizethatallthegroupsstillhave theirowninterests.Everygroupwantstogainnewmembers,receivepublicityandpraise, exciteitsmembersintheworkandbuildmorale,etc. Understandthatcontributionswillvaryfromgrouptogroup. Differentgroupshavedifferentcapacities.Differentgroupshavedifferentstrengthsand weaknesses.Itsokayforgroupstocontributedifferentamountsaslongastherolesand responsibilitiesareclearlydefinedattheoutset.Conflictarisesfromsurprises. Definehowdecisionswillbemadeupfront. Doyouwanttoimplementaoneorganization,onevotemodel?Thatmodelisreallyonly fairifallorganizationsaregoingtomakeequalcontributions,whichisrarelypossible. Whateverdecision-makingsystemyouchoose,makesureitisdecidedonbyallmembers ofthecoalition. Haveconsistentrepresentation. Groupsshouldsendthesamepersontoeachmeeting. Agreetodisagree. Noteveryonehastoagreeoneverything.Thecoalitioncanonlyfunctionwithintheareas ofagreement.
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The Three Part Strategy

Thestrategyforfightingbudgetcutshappensinthreedifferentphases. 1)Theshorttermstrategyiswhatcanbe

organizedimmediately.Itdealswithbuildingrelationshipswithlaborunionsonyourcampusand supportingeffortsbythestaffandfacultyin fightinglayoffs.Thispartofthecampaigniswhere yourgroupsshouldstartreachingouttodifferent studentorganizationsinordertobuildrelationshipsandeventuallyacoalitionthatwillleadyouto victory.Thegoaloftheshort-termstrategyis buildsolidarityamongstfaculty,staffandstudents.Ifeveryoneoncampusisdemandingthe samething,itamplifiesthemessage.

Goalsintheshort-termstrategy couldinclude:having10student groupsonboardwiththecampaign; havethefacultyunionandbothstaff unionsinbi-weeklycommunication andstrategymeetings;holdinga pressconferencetodeclaresolidarity andthelaunchoftheyear-longplan

2)TheIntermediatestrategytakesmore
timetoorganizeandusuallydependsonthesuccess oftheshorttermgoal.Thisstrategydealsdirectly withadministratorsandchallengingpowerwithin youruniversity.Inordertowin,educationanddirect actionorganizingisnecessarytobuildbroadsupport andmoveontothenextstepofthecampaign.You mayhavetoemploysometacticsoff-campusdependingonwhoyourtargetis(e.g.BoardofRegents/ Trusteesmaynotmeeton-campusbutmakedecisionsaffectingyourcampus).

*Itisalsoimportanttonotethatyoushouldsetgoals basedonwhatisreasonableforyourcampus.Whilea campusinKansasmaybeabletofreezetuitionentirely,acampusinOhiomaybeabletogettheuniversitytohonorallfacultycontracts.Youknowyour campusbetterthananyoneusethatknowledgeto setgoodgoals.

Goalsintheintermediatestrategy mayinclude:gettingtheboardof Regentstoadoptsustainableenergyoptionsaspartofcost-saving measures;delayingfacultylayoffs untilthestatebudgetisfinalized; decreasingtheamountoftherecommendedtuitionincrease(ex: TheChancellorisaskingfora25% tuitionincreaseandyourcoalition getsitdownto10%).Yourgoalswill bebasedontheamountofpower youwereabletobuildthroughthe short-termstrategy.Thestronger yourcoalitionisandthemore

3)Thelongtermstrategyrequiresthemostorganizingmuscle.Duringthistime,youwillbeengaginginastatewideorganizingcampaigntargetingmembersofthestate legislatureandpossiblytheGovernorinordertofight againstanybudgetcutsandtuitionhikes.Inordertoexecutethisstrategyeffectivelyyouwillneedtoshowyour representativestheamountofpeopleintheirdistrictthat eithersupportoropposetheiractions.Thiscanbeshown throughvoterregistrationeffortsandget-out-the-vote plansduringimportantelections.Takingitbacktoresearch, itwillbeimportanttoknowhowclosethelegislatorslast electionwas.Makeitknownthatthestudentsinyourcampaigncanbeinfluentialinthelawmakersre-election.

*Thatsaid,everycampaignyourun,shouldbebuildingtowardsthenextcampaignyouplantowin.Becauseofthis,all threestrategiesareincludedinthiscampaign.Tobeeffectiveinstoppingbudgetcuts,preventingtuitionincreases, havinglivingwagejobsoncampus,upholdingfacultycontracts,maintainingqualityinpubliceducationandmore,we havetobeattackingthesystematicissuesthatexistinour states.

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Abudgetcutonpublicuniversitiesisasymptomofa muchlargermaladywithin ourstateandfederalgovernments.Thecollege/ universityonlyhassomuch decision-makingpowerif statescontinuetounderfunditsinstitutions.These shorttermandintermediate campaignswillbuildyourorganizingmuscle,allowyouto recruit,buildcoalitions,and more,butthelongterm campaigniscriticalforput-

Short Term Strategy

Solidaritycampaign
Asyouruniversityfacesbudgetcutsandlayoffs,thefirstpeopletobeaffectedwillbe campusemployeesandfaculty.Inthispartofthestrategyyouaretryingtobuildrelationshipswithstaffandfacultyinordertocreateastrongcoalitionthathaspowerandwill challengethecurrentpoliciesofprivatization. 1. Findoutifthereisafacultyunionandcampusemployeeunions,ifnot,thenseekways SLAMstudentsatHarvarduniversityprotestinglayoffsatspringgraduation. ofsupportingstaffandfacultythathave beenlaidoff. A.Ifthereisauniononcampus,reachout, attendtheirmeetingsandtalktoleaders tellingthemstudentsstandinsolidaritywith workersduringthesetoughtimes. B.Findoutifthereisanupcomingcontract negotiation.Thismightbethemostimportanttimeforunionstohavestudentsupport. C.Duringhardtimes,oneofthefirstthings thattheuniversitytriestodoiseitherend contractswithunionsordelaycontractnegotiations.

Unionsprovidelivingwagesandsecurityforworkersinyouruniversity.Mostoftheworkersarelikelyresidentsofnearbycommunitieswhichareaffectedbytheuniversitys budgetdecisions.Itsimportantasstudentsandconsumerstomakeouruniversityaccountabletothesecommunities.

Yourorganization Thisisthefirstpartofalongtermstrategyinwhichyouwanttostartbuildinga grouporcontinuingtostrengthenanalreadyexistinggroup.Youmighthavea groupofstudentswhoareinterestedin workingcloselywithworkersonyour campusandarebeingaffectedby budgetcuts. Theimportantpartofthisprocessisthe engagementofleadersinyourorganization.Whenwesayleaderswedontmean inahierarchicalsense,butmoreinthe peoplewhoaredeeplycommittedtothe SLAPstudentsheldarallyinsupportofalocal issueandarewillingtostayupmaking unioncontractfight signsandcallingstudentstoshowupfor aneventthenextday.Theyareleadersbyexample.
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Short Term Strategy

YourConstituents
Whoisaffectedbytheproblemandhowaretheyorganized? Whocaresenoughaboutthisissuethatiswillingtodomorethansignapetition? Howareyoureachingouttofreshmen?

YourAllies

Sinceyouareworkinginsolidaritywithworkersinyourcampus,thelocalunionshouldbe oneofyourmainallies.Whatthismeansisjusthavinganunderstandingbetweenyourorganizationandthelocaluniononwaysofcollaboratingandsupportingeachotherswork orworkingonajointcampaign.

Whenworkingwithunionsitisimportanttounderstandeachothersselfinterestandcapacity.Studentsmaybegoodforturningpeopleouttoralliesandeventswhileunionsmay havegoodresourcesthatstudentscanuse,suchasprinting,officespaceetc.

Evenifworkersonyourcampusdontbelongtoaunionandarentpresentlyorganizing, localunionscanbekeysupportersofyourcampaign.Besuretoresearchunionsbefore doingoutreach.IfthereisaJobswithJusticechapterinyourtown,youmaywanttoask themforinformation.Findmoreinformationathttp://www.jwj.org

Yourtargets

Primary-Whoisultimatelyinchargeofcontractsinyouruniversity.Sometimesthereis acontractsdepartment,buttheultimatedecision-makerisprobablyyourUniversity PresidentorChancellor.

SecondaryWhohaspoweroverthefinaldecisionmaker?(i.e.BoardofDirectors,Trustees,orRegents.)

Tactics

EducationalTactics:
Sincethisisthefirststepinyourcampaignandmostoftheeventsandactionswillbe aroundsolidaritywithworkers,itisimportantthatyoueducatethestudentbodyonthe importanceofhavingunionsandhowunionsareformed.ContacttheSLAPcoordinatorto provideyouwithaworkshopyoucandoonyourcampusabouthowunionsareformed. EducationalTactics: Classpresentations InvitemembersofyourorganizationtogotolocalunionmeetingsandJwJlocalcoalitionmeetingstogettoknowunionmembers Workshopontheimportanceofunionsandhowunionsareformed Paneleventswithleadersfromthecommunityandlocalunionsinformingaboutcurrentstrugglesinthecommunity Unionbreakfast/programsofoutreachtoworkers

PowerTactics:
Sincethiscampaignfocusesonbuildingrelationshipswithworkersandraisingawareness ofbudgetcutsandhowtheyaffecttheoveralluniversitycommunity,powertacticsmight notbenecessaryinthisportion.Stillyouwouldliketobeseenandlettheadministration knowthatyouareinsolidaritywithworkersinyouruniversity PowerTactics: Attendingralliesinsupportofworkersrights Meetingwithkeyofficials&laborleaderstoexpressconcernaboutthepoliciesbeing 14 implemented

Intermediate Strategy

Asyoucontinuetobuildsupportforyourgroupandyourcampaign,thenextphase beforeawholestatewidecampaignisacampaignwithinyouruniversity.

Inthepastfewyears,thereasbeenasurgeofstudentactivismdemandinga closerlookattopadministratorscompensationsandtheneedforreform.Every dayouruniversitiesarerunmorelikecorporationsthaninstitutionsofhighereducation.In2008,theratioofaCEOssalarytothesalaryofhisemployeesiscurrentlycloseto319to1.(Source;InstituteforPolicyStudies-Unitedforafaireconomy 2007). Whathaveotheruniversitiesdonetotakeontheburdenofthecrisiscollectively? -BrandeisUniversityisgivingfacultyuntilDecember19thtosignontoaneffortto take1%paycuts;when30%areinagreement,theplanwillgointoeffect.TheChair oftheFacultySenatehasexplainedthiseffortasinlinewithBrandeistraditional, historicalcommitmenttosocialjustice.Otherprofessorsareconsideringputting moneyintoacharitablefundtosecurejobs.(http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/
media/storage/paper573/news/2008/12/09/News/Profs.Could.Take.Pay.Cuts-3575433.shtml)

-AtArizonaStateUniversity,topadministratorswillhave15daysoftheirvacation gounpaid.(http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/134704) -TheUniversityofTennesseePresidentandhisexecutivestaffwillalltakeavoluntarypaycutof5%.(http://www.tennessee.edu/media/releases/12172008salarycuts.html) ThechancellorofWashingtonUniversityinSt.Louiswilltakeavoluntarypaycutof 10%forthenextacademicyear.(http://chronicle.com/news/article/?id=5520) -TheStanfordpresidentandtopadministratorshavetakenavoluntary10%pay cutforthenexttwoacademicyears.(http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/26809) Goals Topearnersdemonstrateleadershipbysharingtheburdenofbudgetcutsaccordingtothefollowingincomebrackets: 5%salaryreductionsfor$100,000-200,000peryear 10%salaryreductionsfor$200,000-300,000peryear 15%salaryreductionsforabove$300,000peryear Theuniversitycansavemillionsthroughenergysavingsinitiativesandpricereductionsinnaturalgasandelectricity. Ex.MITsaved$8.1millionthroughenergysavings initiativesandpricereductionsinnaturalgasand electricity. Gettheadministrationtoengageinmorestateleveladvocacyandencouragestudentstodoso aswell. Committofundingbusesforlobbydays andgowithstudentstolobby.Thisgoal helpstransitionintothe3rdstageofthe campaign.
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Intermediate Strategy
Yourorganization Dependingonhowyourorganizationworks,whatyouwanttogetoutofthiscampaignistocontinuebuildingsupportforthecause,buildrelationshipswithleaders fromotherorganizations,educatestudentsontheimportanceoffightingbudget cuts,andhavingadministratorslistentostudentsandstopputtingtheburdenof costonstudentsandworkersbacks.

Asyouhaveseen,thisisaintermediatestrategy-thisrequiresmoreeffortand powerthansolidarityactionswithuniversityemployeesfacinglayoffsorcontract fights.Youarechallengingtheadministrationdirectlyandpreparingforastatewidefightagainstbudgetcuts. YourConstituents Whoareyoutryingtoorganizeandhowaretheyalreadyorganized? Whoarethepeoplemostaffectedbytheproblem? YourTargets Primary-PresidentandVicePresidents(fromyourresearch,findoutwhothetop earnersareandtheirnamesandpositions-rememberyouwanttohaveaspecific individualthatyouaretargeting.) Secondary-DoestheBoardofTrusteeshavepoweroversalaries? Tactics Thisisveryimportant,youaretryingtogettheadministrationtoberesponsiveto studentsinyouruniversitybutyouarealsobuildingforastatewidecampaigntargetinglegislatorsandthestategovernment. EducationalTactics Classpresentations-workwiththeprofessorsunionsbyidentifyingclasses withgoodamountsofpeoplewhowouldjoinyourorganization. Tabling Streettheater Musicalperformances PowerTactics Dontescalateinthispartofthestrategy,rememberthisistoputpressureonadministratorsbutyouarealsopressuringlegislators. Meetfacetofacewithtarget.Bringlargeamountsoffolkstoshowsupport fromthestudentbody Rallytohelpraiseawarenessandalsoprepareyouforthebiggertacticofa statewide gathering
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Long Term Strategy

Bythispartofthecampaignyouhavebuiltastrongcampus-basedorganization andforgedrelationshipswithleadersfromotherstudentorganizationsandlocal laborunions.Thestudentbodyhasbeeneducatedontheimportanceoffighting againstbudgetcutsandlayoffsandarereadytobemobilizedandact.

Inordertobesuccessfulinthispartofthestrategyyouhavetoreachoutto otherstudentsfromotherschoolsinyourstateeitherthroughyourstatewide studentorganizationorothernetworksthatmightexistinyourstate.Nationalorganizationsareagreatresourcebothforthestartofastatewideandtoconnect youwithstudentsfromyourstate.ContactUSSAtobeconnectedtoyourlocal statewidestudentorganization.

Anotherimportantaspectofthiscampaignistheimportanceofvoterregistration andturnout.Becauseyouwillbeengagingyourlegislatorsandgovernor,isimperativethatyoushowthemthepowerofstudentsasvotersandtheabilitytochange electionsinyourdistrict. Goals

Reversethetrendofdivestingfromhighereducationinyourstate. Havelegislaturesupportfullfundingofhighereducationandpreventanybudgetcuts forhighereducation.

YourOrganization

Yourgroupshouldbeinagoodpositiontoinitiateastatewidefight.Itisidealtohavea coregroupof15ormorededicatedpeoplewhoarewillingtoworkonthiscampaign. YoushouldalsotakeadvantageofyourrelationshipswithlocalunionsandlocalJobs withJusticecoalitions,ifthereisoneinyourarea.Theseorganizationscanhelpyou withcopies,officespaceandotherresources. Developunderclassmen,assignthemspecifictasks,havethembevisibleinyourorganization.

YourConstituents
Howaretheyalreadyorganizedintodifferentorganizationsthatwouldcareaboutthis issue? -Studentsofpublicuniversities&colleges(nameall StudentsoftheUniversityofCaliforniasystemrallyingagainstbudget ofthem) -Studentsofcolor -Otherlaboractivestudents -Gradstudents -Studentparents -low-incomestudents -1stgenerationstudents -Studentsinstudentorganizations Yourtargets

-ChairofHouseAppropriationsCommittee -SenatePresident -SpeakeroftheHouse -ChairofSenateAppropriations Committee -Governor

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Long Term Strategy

Tactics Educational Studentgovernmentresolutionspassedoneverypubliccollege/university LetterstotheEditorandopinioneditorials Collect3,000signaturesstatewidethismayvarydependingonsizeofstate Collectpostcardstodelivertolegislatorsorothertargets Attendingsportingeventshavingathletesendorsecampaign

Power TownHallwithAppropriationscommittee MockAccountabilitysessionoutsidetheCapitol Accountabilitysessionswithelectedofficials Lobbylocalrepresentativeandsenator Register10,000studentsstatewideandturnthemouttovoteinanimportant election. Walkouts,civildisobedience.

RALLY OCT 13 @ 10am Student Union

Workers Are Being

Exploited 13 Fewer Housekeepers

+
Same Number of Buildings

= Exploitative Unrealistic Unsafe

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Ex.FlyerforRallyatPomonaCollege,CA.

Example strategy Chart for long term strategy Goals LongTerm Reverse thetrend ofdivestingfrom highered inthe state Organizational Considerations Resources -3full-timestaff -15SLAPMembers -Meetingspaceat thelocalJwJoffice -Freecopyingfrom JwJ -Staffsupportfrom SLAPcoordinator -OrganizingKit -$50fromlastterm fundraiser -Goodrelationships withunionsoncampus HowWillourOrganizationBeStrengthened -Develop3newlead SLAPstudents -Fundraise$100 -Buildalistof100 SLAPatistasstatewide -Improverecruitmentandlobbying skills -Buildrelationships withkeydecisionmakers(Regents, campusadministration) Difficulties/Barriers -Blatantlyantistudentlegislators andRegents -Economiccrisisin thestate -Nopresenceon othercampuses statewide Multipletargets- -littleexperience withcampaignof thisscale Constituents, Allies,and Opponents Constituents -Studentsof PublicUniversities&colleges (nameallof them) -Studentsof color -Otherlaboractivestudents -Gradstudents -Studentparents -low-incomestudents -1stgeneration students -Studentsinstudentorganizations *bemorespecific:SGA(10ppl), BSU(8people), etc.etc. Allies -AFSCMEworkers -FacultyUnion (AFT) -SEIU -Parentshow aretheyorganized? -University/collegepresidents Opponents -Anyonewho gets$$$from thestatebudget -Dependingon thewordingof thelegislation, UniversityPresidents Targets Primary -Chairof House AppropriationsCmte -Speakerof theHouse -Senate President -Chairof SenateAppropriation s Committee -Governor Secondary -Chairsof HigherEd Committee -Boardof Regents Chair -University Presidents Tactics Student governmentresolutions passedon everypublic college/ university TownHall withAppropriations committee Lettersto theEditor Collect 3,000signatures statewide MockAccountability session outsidethe Capitol Lobbylocal representativeand senator Register 10,000 students statewide

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Sample flyer

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Resources
StudentLaborActionProject 1325MassachusettsAve.NW,Washington,DC20005 Tel:(202)393-1044ex.226 www.studentlabor.org Email:slap@jwj.org UnitedStatesStudentAssociation 1211ConnecticutAve.NW,Suite406,Washington,DC20036 Tel:(202)640-6570 Fax:(202)223-4005 www.usstudents.org Email:od@usstudents.org JobswithJustice 1325MassachusettsAve.Nw,Washington,DC20005 Tel:(202)393-1044 www.jwj.org Email:Naomi@jwj.org NationalLaborUnions TheAmericanFederationofState,Countyand MunicipalEmployees(AFSCME) AFSCMEisthelargestunionforworkersinthepublicservicesectorwith1.4million membersnationwide.Itorganizesforsocialandeconomicjusticeintheworkplace andthroughpoliticalactionandlegislativeadvocacy Website:www.afscme.org UNITEHERE UNITE(formerlytheUnionofNeedletrades,IndustrialandTextileEmployees)and HERE(HotelEmployeesandRestaurantEmployeesInternationalUnion)mergedon July8,2004formingUNITEHERE.Organizingtheunorganizedinourindustriesisthe toppriorityforUNITEHERE. Website:www.unitehere.org TheAmericanFederationofLaborandCongressofIndustrialOrganizations (AFL-CIO) isavoluntaryfederationof57nationalandinternationallaborunions. TheAFL-CIOunionmovementrepresents11.5millionmembersacrossthecountry. Website:www.aflcio.org SEIU-ServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion TheServiceEmployeesInternationalUnionisanorganizationof2.1millionmembers unitedbythebeliefinthedignityandworthofworkersandtheservicestheyprovide.Itisdedicatedtoimprovingthelivesofworkersandtheirfamiliesandcreating amorejustandhumanesociety. Website:www.seiu.org
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