This is yet another assault on our academic freedom, and that it is happening in Indiana (in our own back yard) is no surprise given the political climate of the state. We need to stand up to this effort to remove a viable academic program with a long history of representing the many underprivileged and exploited citizens of this country. Thank you Labor Studies for being our eyes and ears over all these year and especially at this important time in our history when so much of our progressive political and intellectual heritage is under assault.
If IU can support a vast School of Business, there should be funds for Labor Studies. This is getting awfully political as in "To the victor goes the spoils."
I support this petition. As an alunus of IU with AB in History and Political Science, and as a worker, it is very important aht students be educated in labor studies. It helps better prepare them to face the reality of the world outside of college and will help the transition from being a student and going out and working in the real world no matter what that job may be. It is important to know the history, the present, and to prepare for the future. - Thank you.
I've taken courses in Business and Labor Studies. I think ALL Business students should take some Labor Studies courses. They would be better managers if they did.
As an IU graduate, I am deeply troubled by what seems an unwarranted attack upon Labor Studies, especially at a time in which labor and working-class studies are increasingly important fields elsewhere. Why does IU wish to fall behind and deprive its students of this vital area of study?
I support this petition because I believe that labour is being eroded throughout the world as part of the discipline of neoliberalism. In my Province and Country we are witnessing the dismantling of all the safeguards for labour that took many years to craft. Young people now face futures of multiple, casual jobs with no income protection or security. This is a reversal of the protections that were fought for in the 1950s,1960s, and 1970s. Sadly, people have short memories.
You have my full suppport and I wish you the best in your struggles.
Dr. A. Claire Cutler
Labor unions are no threat to workers or businesses in Indiana. It seems mean-spirited to dismantle an academic unit this way. I'm saddened by these efforts.
I am very dissapointed in the response by the administration concerning the Division of Labor Studies at Indiana University. I hope that this petition will help continue the Division and its purpose. I am a very proud DLS Alumni and hope that future generations can continue to be.
because we need labor studies now more than ever in today's rapidly changing economy that is undermining hard-won living standards. Labor studies provides vital information for students seeking economic security, as all are.
There is no reason for this other than greed. Why must LSTU be closed because of financial reasons when the salaries of the "leaders" of this school are so inflated? What about promises this wouldn't happen? Why is IU being so underhanded about this? Is this a school or a corporation? I don't remember IUPUI becoming Wal-Mart University! did i miss this memo?
There was no mention of cutting athletics in Bloomington when it went over 2 million dollars in the red. LSTU is in the black. The Board needs to get real and help solve this problem.
As a former instructor in the program, I know the value of DLS to the workers of IN. At this time of increased activity by workers, our tax supported institutions should be increasing their educational services to workers, not decreasing them.
The rights of workers should be central to the agenda of any decent educational program. Cutting labor studies would send the message that those in the ivory tower have nothing in common with the working man. Sad indeed.
I support the petition because education leads to knowledge and the application of knowledge in the workplace increases the collective power of working people to achieve a greater degree of workplace democracy and fairer treatment from their employer and their union.
