Dear Colleague,

The crises within universities all over the country have escalated, and many of us and our research programs are facing an existential moment. The entire UC System is struggling to keep up and at UCSF, the reality of massive cuts, job losses, and grants being cancelled is upon us.

I am writing to share with you all that our system-wide UC Faculty Association (CUCFA) has been meeting regularly and we are working on a number of statements to send to President Drake and Chancellor Hawgood calling for action.

Also, there are a number of actions coming up that we are coordinating with AAUP, AFT, and other educational organizations to create a network of groups to oppose these draconian measures. I am including a message from the AAUP below that has all the updated information. Please read and pass this on to colleagues.

From the AAUP:

Nationwide Higher Ed Protests on April 8

On Tuesday, April 8, higher ed workers across the country will stand up and demand NO cuts to education and life-saving research. The Kill the Cuts Day of Action is our opportunity to fight back against the authoritarian attacks on higher ed by the Trump administration.

For the April 8 Kill the Cuts Day of Action, we’re working with all AAUP chapters to conduct as many actions as possible throughout the country. Organize your action and find out more here.

And one more thing: Can you forward this email to a friend or colleague who’s not a member and ask them to join the AAUP? This fight is going to take all of us.

April 17: Day of Action for Higher Ed

The next moment for us to stand up for higher education is the April 17 Day of Action for Higher Ed. You can register an event and sign up to join the virtual actions here.

More events, meetings, and webinars are posted regularly at https://www.aaup.org/events.

The AAUP Takes on Trump in the Courts

Unprecedented assaults on education and research call for an unprecedented response. This week, the AAUP and our allies filed three separate lawsuits against the Trump administration.

• We sued the Trump administration on behalf of our members for illegally revoking $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University in an unlawful attack on higher education, the First Amendment, and academic freedom. Along with the AFT, we argue that the funding cuts and other demands that undermine critical scientific and medical and suppress speech must be stopped.
• Alongside the Middle East Studies Association and three AAUP chapters, AAUP national filed a suit to protect free speech rights across colleges and universities from the chilling effect of the Trump administration’s immigration deportation policies.
• With the AFT, the AAUP and a coalition including educators, school districts, and unions filed a legal action against the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of the Department of Education and mass firings that will decimate the crucial services that benefit every person residing in the US.