As one of the members of the Workers' Rights Organizing Committee who met with Vice-President Richard Spies GS '72 on Feb. 15, I was surprised to see Mr. Spies characterize that meeting in these pages as "a very helpful and constructive discussion."
WROC members presented Mr. Spies with a detailed report on the problems in Princeton's labor practices, as well as a specific set of improvements which the University could make to address these problems. Mr. Spies and fellow administrators rejected all but one of our defined problems (they admitted to some concern about prolonged use of casual labor) and every one of our solutions to these problems. They informed us that they were "pretty comfortable" with these policies, and that they "don't see them changing."
Although Mr. Spies suggested in his editorial that concerned Princetonians need a "common understanding" of labor practices before we can move forward, WROC and its supporters — including over sixty faculty members and hundreds of staff — understand the current problems perfectly well; moreover, they have given the administration practical solutions in each case. As Saturday's rally — featuring over 300 students, faculty, staff and alumni — demonstrated, it is Princeton's administration that needs to acknowledge the "common understanding" on and beyond campus — shared by professors, janitors, casual workers, students, politicians, religious leaders and now alumni — that the University should give its lowest-paid workers a better deal.
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Campus is isolated: Be the voice that speaks out
Wynne Conger“Although today’s encampment represents a significant and monumental stride in campus activism, the culture of the Orange Bubble must fundamentally shift in order to ensure long term change.”
Protesting for peace and justice
Nura Liepsner“To me, the work that pro-Palestine protesters at Princeton, across the nation, and abroad are fighting for can be viewed as a part of a much larger dream of liberation.”
“To me, the work that pro-Palestine protesters at Princeton, across the nation, and abroad are fighting for can be viewed as a part of a much larger dream of liberation.”
Encampments are not ‘inherently unsafe.’ Princeton should not arrest or expel students for them.
Daily Princetonian Editorial Board“We urge Princeton to cease student arrests and to refrain from expelling students simply for engaging in prolonged protest.”
“We urge Princeton to cease student arrests and to refrain from expelling students simply for engaging in prolonged protest.”
