Our president was right: winning hearts and minds is essential for victory. Wondering how to raise the issue of a walk out with your undergraduates? Follow the link for a helpful list of talking points from GEO Headquarters.
Key Points To Address:
- Explain how the walkout will affect them (assignments, due dates, etc.). Don't worry undergrads, nobody's grades will suffer!
- Explain where the 9% raise comes from: The university's financial aid office estimates that it costs $15,980 to live in Ann Arbor for a year. The median GSI salary is $15,199. A 9% raise will meet the estimated cost of living and corrects for currently high inflation rates.
- GSI salaries are not what is causing tuition hikes. The U of M has a 7 billion dollar endowment, and many schools with smaller endowments give full rides to students with family incomes under $60,000 (Duke, Dartmouth, and Brown). U of M has a lot of money, and it can choose to support both GSIs and undergraduates. Patrick O'Mahen of the GEO organizing committee explains in this nice editorial. http://media.www.michigandaily.com/media/storage/paper851/news/2008/03/03/LettersToTheEditor/Letters.To.The.Editor-3247127.shtml
- Reassure them that you aren't here to recruit, and that they don't have to agree with you. If they want to get involved, send them out on the picket line!
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